We first met as a result of our participation with the inaugural Chicago Public School's (CPS) "Teacher For A Day Program," held May 15 2007.

That inaugural program came out of their highly successful, "Principle For A Day Program" which celebrates it's 11th season on October 30.

WGN-TV then jumped on board and conducted no less than seven live "cut-ins" throughout their WGN Morning News program beginning at 7 am (CDT). At 8:40 am, emcee Darren Jackson (Chicago White Sox baseball announcer) then set the stage for the ribbon cutting. WBEZ (Chicago PBS Radio) and ABC-7 Chicago TV, were also there recording the event for broadcast.

Ms. Loreen Kudron, CEO of PoochieDogs.com, Mr. David Cook,CEO of Hoosier Bat, and some of the Negro League Honorees

Without Mr. David Cook, President of the Hoosier Bat Company there wouldn't have been any baseball bats for this event, and without Mr. Randy Fike and Ms. Toni Schavocky of HealthSpring, and their generous contribution, there would have been no event. Period.

Of the local and national dignitaries who were in attendance they included; State Representative Elga Jefferies (26th District), State Representative Ken Dunkin (5th District), Alderman Tony Preckwinkle (4th Ward) and newly elected Bob Fioretti (2nd Ward).

Monique Borgos, CPS Principal For A Day / Teacher For A Day, Project Manager was also there along with Calvin Davis of CPS.

A representative from the Illinois Governor's office presented us with a Proclamation declaring this day as, “Negro League Legends.org (Baseball) Museum & Learning Center Day.”

Mayo Elementary Students and Negro League Legends

Also Illinois Secretary of the State Mr. Jesse White, Member of Congress Mr. Jesse Jackson Jr., Alderman of the 7th Ward Mrs. Sandi Jackson, CSI's William Peterson (and Chicago native), Steve Coates of the Coates Group in Houston,  and last but certainly not least, the Negro League Museum in Kansas City, MO.

HealthSpring, (whose national spokesperson is ex-Negro Leaguer and Hall of Famer Willie Mays), the Hoosier Bat Company of Valparaiso Indiana, the Northern Illinois Hobby Retailers Association, the Coates Group, GeorgeShuba.com and PoochieDogs.com all jumped on board as sponsors.

Keith Allen of the local McDonald's at 207 East 35th Street even provided us with coffee, orange juice, cookies, apple pies, and a vast variety of hot breakfast sandwiches.

All Photos In This Article Are Courtesy of WWW.NEGROLEAGUELEGENDS.ORG.