Title
REQUEST TO INITIATE 45-DAY NOTICE PERIOD
TO NAME THE HOARD PARK BASKETBALL COURTS
IN HONOR OF BRYAN A. LEACH
Body
To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
I. Recommendation
It is recommended that an order be entered authorizing the General Superintendent or his designee to initiate a 45-day notice period to solicit public input to name the Hoard Park Basketball Courts in honor of Bryan A. Leach.
Proposed Park or feature: Hoard Park Basketball Courts
Location: northwest corner of the park, at the intersection of 72nd Street and South Dobson Avenue
Community Area: South Shore
Ward: 5
Proposed Name: Bryan A. Leach Basketball Courts
II. Explanation
The Chicago Park District naming and renaming procedures allow for the naming of features in parks, including playgrounds and buildings. Ms. Malissa Williams requested that the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners name the Hoard Park Basketball Courts in honor of Bryan A. Leach. This proposal has the support of Alderman Leslie Hairston and the community.
Bryan A. Leach was a Chicago native, growing up in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood. He was a constant fixture on the basketball courts at Hoard Park. His love affair with the game of basketball followed him from his early days at Chicago Vocational and Simeon High Schools, through being recruited to play for Sioux Empire College in Iowa, through playing for South East College (Nebraska) and ultimately the University of Nebraska. During his playing career, he received much recognition and many accolades for his performance on the court.
He is perhaps better known for his high-scoring prowess on the local courts, earning him respect on the courts at IIT and as one of the playground legends in Chicago basketball lore. He was a leading player in the summer Pro-Am league games in the 1980s and 1990s, earning several MVP awards. He remained active in the community in many ways, including sponsoring youth bask...
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