We featured a story about Devon Hodges a few weeks ago. Devon is an exceptionally great basketball player that is currently in high school. He has been fighting for scholarships against nepotism and politics, which should never happen to a kid... Since this is a story of a tragedy, such as Romeo and Juliet, we felt the need to post a follow up.
On January 11 Devon was kicked off the team by Coach Brost due to the situation with Devon's family and the school district fight.
Devon's family appealed to the School Board to allow their son access to the open gym times for recruitment. All he wanted was for coaches to come see him practice with the other kids. He was DENIED access to open gym times.
Devon's mom requested paperwork in Devon's file from the School attorney, which went to the FOIA officer. The paperwork from the file is "missing" and her request denied.
Mr. Mitchem and the School Board attorney were suppose to write a letter to IHSA for Devon and never did. For some reason IHSA has decided to turn the complaint back to the school district and board for handling now.
Despite all the opposition and nepotism against this boy... Despite the coach stalking and financial burdens this boy has had to go through, here is what has happened...
He just got a certificate delivered to him at the high school for being a McDonald All American Nominee. He is going to France in April to play basketball. This summer he will be playing in the AAU season and getting back out there with his recruitment. Five individuals have stepped up to help him with weight training, skills training, sparring, and recruiting. They will help him in his path, while the school district keeps him down.
And above all, the tear jerker of this story, is that Devon goes to church EVERY Sunday and credits everything and everyone that is in his life, to GOD.
This boy has a great future ahead of him and this tragedy will keep us following his story. He is the boy that won't give up despite politicians standing in his way. This dedication to the sport will make a college very happy... He has worked hard and needs a break.
I have several questions about this.
ReplyDelete1. Why did Hodges enroll at Romeoville HS at the start this year, if he intended to play for Bolingbrook?
2. Hodges has gone to 3 different schools in the past 4 years. Actually that number is 4 if you count Romeoville HS twice. How come no mention of the family's reasons for moving from school to school so much?
3. Hodges has played for 3 different AAU teams in the past 3 years. Anyone notice a pattern here?
4. Supt Mitchem's son is like 6'0. He and Hodges were not playing the same position nor is Mitchem's son any where near a "star" player. That had nothing to do with anything. The Raiders did have a star player in LaTree Russell. But he isn't related to anyone of note.