Three Sudanese basketball players can play for a suburban Chicago school's team thanks to a Kane County judge--but their long-term future on the team remains in doubt.
The three boys moved to Mooseheart two years ago. Makur Puou, a 6'10'' junior, and two others boys, who stand at 6'4'' and 7' are from the Sudan. They are varsity basketball players at Mooseheart School in Batavia giving their small school in the western suburbs hope for a good season. A fourth teenager from Africa ran cross-country.
"I am very happy. I'm very happy to play tonight," says Puou. "I really appreciate it. I know I came to the United Sates to get an education and play basketball."
But now, the reason for their move to America is being questioned.
"We really felt they fit our mission of children in need coming from a war-torn country that has had decades of civil war unrest and an opportunity to honor the memory of Manute Bol and helping children from his country," says Scott Hart with Mooseheart Child City and School."
School officials say they sat out one year but when a rival school saw the boys play, that coach lodged a complaint with the Illinois High School Association claiming Mooseheart "was seeking out athletes, and basketball players in particular."
The small residential school disputes the IHSA's contention, saying school officials told the agency that placed the teens that it would take Sudanese children whether or not they were athletes.
Judge David Akemann ruled Tuesday that the teens couldn't be benched until the Illinois High School Association hears arguments on the eligibility issue. That means the association can't prevent them from playing until an IHSA hearing next week in Bloomington.
"The district will have nothing to do with recruiting any student athletes," says Peter Rush, the school's attorney.
The team will play their big rival Wednesday night.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:09 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:09:03 GMT
Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored 31 seconds apart midway through the second period and Pavel Datsyuk restored a two-goal lead in the third to help the Detroit Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks.
Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored 31 seconds apart midway through the second period and Pavel Datsyuk restored a two-goal lead in the third to help the Detroit Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:07 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:07:58 GMT
Adam Dunn hit a three-run homer in the first inning and the Chicago White Sox handed Jon Lester his first loss of the season with a 6-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Monday night.
Adam Dunn hit a three-run homer in the first inning and the Chicago White Sox handed Jon Lester his first loss of the season with a 6-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Monday night.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:19 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:19:31 GMT
Jake Peavy gave up four runs and four hits over six innings and walked five -- two with the bases loaded -- in a 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.
Jake Peavy gave up four runs and four hits over six innings and walked five -- two with the bases loaded -- in a 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:15 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:15:36 GMT
Daniel Murphy hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning and the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Sunday for their first series win at Wrigley Field since 2007.
Daniel Murphy hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning and the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Sunday for their first series win at Wrigley Field since 2007.
