By Dominic Scianna
Photos Courtesy of Brandon Parker and Ashley Harris
Credit Union1 Arena was the setting for the Chicago Public League (CPL) Boys and Girls Basketball City Finals on Saturday, February 15.
Three esteemed Chicago changemakers were honored for their contributions to Chicago high school sports and their accomplished careers of service to the city and communities they’ve impacted.
Curie Metro High School boys basketball Coach Mike Oliver was celebrated for his 550+ wins and 30+ years of excellence, winning an Illinois High School (IHSA) state championship in 2015-16, and amassing three CPL city championships, and a third place finish in 2019 during his lengthy tenure on the Condors sidelines. Chicago Public School’s (CPS) Athletic Program =Administrator for basketball, Laquandis Riley presented the award to Oliver during halftime of the CPL girls championship game.
Barry Temkin, Chicago Tribune prep sports reporter and columnist was given the IHSA Distinguished Media Service Award for his over 40+ years of covering Chicagoland basketball during a first quarter break in the CPL boys championship final. IHSA Executive Director, Craig Anderson was on hand to honor Temkin accompanied by wife Jody, and daughters Allie and Jemma.
The final award ceremony of the night came at halftime of the CPL boys championship. Mickey Pruitt, Interim Executive Director of CPS Sports Administration was given a monogrammed jacket chronicling his successful CPL tenure for more than 25 years, as well as his NFL football career with the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys, where he won a Super Bowl ring in 1993.
Pruitt is retiring at the end of the academic school year in 2025. Presenting to Pruitt at center court were CPS Chief of College and Career Services, Megan Hougard, CPS Deputy Chief of College and Career Services, Ali Muhammad, along with Director of Sports Administration, Juliana Zavala, and Riley. Pruitt’s wife Stephanie, daughter Tia, extended family and friends were also on hand for the festivities.
