By Andrew Diederich
Sports Reporter
ON AIR Daily News
In a stunning move Thursday evening, the Chicago Sky announced they will not be bringing back Teresa Weatherspoon as their head coach. The Sky finished with a 13-27 record under Weatherspoon, missing playoff contention by 2 games.
The Sky formally announced the move in a press release Friday morning, saying “We are deeply appreciative of Coach TSpoon’s contributions to the Chicago Sky, and the energy and passion she brought to the head coaching role. We thank her for inspiring a competitive, resilient spirit across the team, synonymous with Chicago Sky basketball.”
The firing comes as a complete shock to many. In her exit interview last week, Weatherspoon spoke like someone who was certain to return next season. She touched on the re-signing of Elizabeth Williams, her relationship with GM Jeff Pagliocca, and what she’s looking for when training camp starts.
Even Pagliocca himself gave positive sentiment on the team’s performance this year.Nevertheless, Weatherspoon is now gone.
It seems those within the Sky organization were even caught off guard, with the Sky’s social media team posting a video tribute to Weatherspoon just a day before the firing.
Nobody was more dismayed at the decision than the Sky players themselves. Rookie Angel Reese confided in her coach all season and never hid how appreciative she was of the first-year coach.
In a lengthy statement she posted to X, Reese says, “I’m heartbroken. I’m literally lost for words knowing what this woman meant to me in such a pivotal point in my life. She was the only person that believed in me…All the crazy circumstances that we went through this year & when your back was against the wall, you always believed. I came to Chicago because of YOU. You were an unsung hero in my life. We built a relationship in a short amount of time that will last forever…You didn’t deserve this but I can’t thank you enough. I love you Tspoon.”
As Reese tells it, Weatherspoon inherited a young, raw team trying to find its identity for most of the season. A myriad of offseason roster moves to acquire fresh faces and more draft capital seemed like a sure sign that this front office was laying the foundation for the future.
Additionally, Marina Mabrey was traded at the deadline for two veteran assets and more draft picks. It appeared even more obvious the Sky were planting the seeds for a rebuild. Weatherspoon was seen as the ideal hire to patch every nook and cranny together and squeeze potential out of the roster.
And for the most part, with Weatherspoon at the helm, the Sky performed better than expected. A whole host of injuries to Elizabeth Williams, Angel Reese, Diamond DeShields, and many others certainly didn’t help their cause. Despite how battered the Sky were down the stretch, the team was still in playoff contention until the very last day of the season.
Chicago Sky Head Coach Teresa Weatherspoon, seen here at a recent post-game press conference, was fired by Chicago Sky management, it was announced in a press release today, Friday September 27.(Photo by John L. Alexander.)
Regardless, the Sky seemed to finally find their identity. It seemed as though only a few pieces to the puzzle of getting back to contention were missing.
With Weatherspoon gone, if that puzzle is solved in the next few years, it will be someone else assembling the pieces. Sure, one can point to the Sky’s offense stagnating at times or the 3-13 record after the Olympic break for grounds to dismiss Weatherspoon.
But with the front office transactions signaling a clear rebuild and the injuries the team battled through, it’s head-scratching to see a beloved head coach in her first year get dismissed. In their statement, Sky ownership said they will embark on a search for their next head coach immediately. This will mark the team’s fourth head coach since their 2021 title run.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson presents Rev. Jesse Jackson with an award to recognize his enduring impact. (John L. Alexander / ON AIR Daily News)
By Andrew Diederich
Sports Reporter
ON AIR Daily News
Soldier Field may not have played host to the Chicago Bears this weekend, but there was still great football played within its confines. The Morehouse College Tigers faced off against the Kentucky State Thorobreds on Saturday September 21, 2024 at the Chicago Football Classic. Plenty of big names including Mayor Brandon Johnson, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear were in attendance along with a solid turnout of Tiger and Thorobred fans alike.
The game itself was nothing to balk about, either. Both teams scored on their first possessions, setting the tone for a back-and-forth matchup filled with several lead changes and big plays. Down two scores with only 5 minutes to go, Morehouse got the ball back and began their comeback effort. This was punctuated with a go-ahead touchdown pass from QB Miles Scott to WR Maurice Veney with just 6 seconds remaining.
The Tigers would hold off the Thorobreds final drive to win by a score of 31-28. Scott finished with 422 total yards, throwing for 3 touchdowns and rushing for another. The Tigers defense, led by Sean Johnson’s 12 tackles, held firm down the stretch to provide Scott’s offense ample time to stun the Thorobreds. Morehouse now climbs to a record of 1-3, while Kentucky State continues the search for their first win at 0-4.
The day’s biggest victory may have been off the field, however. The Chicago Football Classic helps to provide scholarships for prospective students of HBCUs, and showcases the rich culture and history of these institutions in doing so. Whether it was the College & Career Fair pregame, or the ‘Battle of the Bands’ at halftime, the annual matchup once again did a wonderful job of showing off everything great about HBCUs. Seeing such a great college football game unfold was just the cherry on top.
Morehouse quarterback Miles Scott aims a pass downfield amidst a heavy pass rush from Kentucky State. (John L. Alexander / ON AIR Daily News)
Kentucky State’s Kye Nelson tries to get outside of Morehouse’s Carlos Dunovant, Jr. for a big gain. (John L. Alexander / ON AIR Daily News)
Kentucky State Band continues to jam in the stands for the fans throughout the game. (John L. Alexander / ON AIR Daily News)
The Morehouse cheer squad was out in full force Saturday. (John L. Alexander / ON AIR Daily News)
Halftime wasn't enough for these enthusiastic musicians from Kentucky State, who kept fans in the stands dancing to the beat as they played from the stands.
Choreographed with mathematical precision, the Kentucky State Band presents an exciting display on Soldier Field at Halftime at the Chicago Football Classic Saturday September 21, 2024.
Agile dancers were joined by rhythmic movements from the Morehouse Band in another classic Battle of the Bands at the 2024 Chicago Football Classic at Soldier Field, where Morehouse battled against Kentucky State.
The Morehouse College Tigers celebrate their win with a team photo posing with the trophy.
(John L. Alexander / ON AIR Daily News)
Kentucky State University will face Morehouse College at Chicago's historic Soldier Field Saturday September 21, 2024 for the annual Chicago Football Classic, the yearly HBCU scholarship fundraiser that features a spectacular half time performance by the schools' marching bands and drill teams. This tradition began in 1997 when a small group of African American businessmen - Larry Hugginis, Everett Rand, and Tim Rand - formed the Chicago Football Classic (CFC) as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to encouraging African American youth to achieve their person best in school and beyond. The weekend of the game also includes a College and Career Fair Friday September 20 featuring Teen Fest and BMO Financial Summit. In a press conference held at Soldier Field, the three are joined by local elected oficials and Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., whose organization PUSH For Excellence, encourages students to attend HBCU's by sending busloads of high school students across the country during Spring Break each year to tour the HBCU schools and apply for admittance.
CHICAGO - The annual Chicago Football Classic is more than just an entertaining match between two outstanding HBCU Football Teams. It features an outstanding Battle of the Marching Bands that displays choreographed movements to music reflecting skills of the nation's best creative performing artists. Also featured is a special raffle which will give all who attend the event a chance to win a classic automobile. This year's prize, a yellow Rubicon Jeep, will be on display on the field, an added incentive for those who wish to see a great football game and halftime show to come on down to Soldier Field on Saturday September 21, 2024. For more information and to purchase tickets to the game, go to chicagofootballclassic.org. Photo by Naimah Latif/ON AIR Daily News.
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