In the heart of Philadelphia, where the blowing of a whistle and the bouncing of a basketball might be mistaken as just mere background noise, the Alumni League has become a lifeline for many. It is not a secret that Philadelphia is not the easiest city to grow up in. With crime on the rise and the graduation rate for Philadelphia public schools still well below the state average, there is no easy road to success for young men growing up in the city.
"It's a shame" head coach of Lincoln, Justin Haggerty explained. "The school system is so messed up and it makes kids unprepared for post-grad making guys not ready for life which makes reality set in."
Given this backdrop, the Alumni League has strived to serve as an outlet for some of the most talented players that the city has to offer. The longtime motto for the Alumni League has been "Professionalism is Everything." It has been said constantly by league commissioner Fahreed Cheatham that this league stands on its own among the many other rec leagues throughout the city as Coach Haggarty continues to explain.
"The Alumni League does so much more than other leagues around the city," Haggerty said. "Since the league runs year-round and isn't just a summer league, it allows the players to be surrounded by basketball all year-round which helps them stay off the street."
Due to the aspect of the league being year-round, there is always talent coming in and out while some players stick around all year for an array of reasons. One example comes from one the most experienced players the league has to offer in big man Tyronne Hill. Hill, an ambassador for the league, is a two-time Alumni League champion and has been around ever since its inception. Being one of the older players in the league, Hill has a reason of his own for why he is still involved after all of these years.
"The way that the league gives back is what separates this league from any of the others around the city," Hill said. "It means more than basketball, it's a community of men, brothers, and teammates and I highly value my role as a mentor."
Hill has been directly involved with how the league gives back as well. Over the years, the Alumni League has held food drives for the homeless, conducted toy drives for kids in West Philadelphia, and participated in fundraisers for kids at CHOP, some of them being the same kids that Hill works with on a daily basis. In March of 2023, the Alumni League participated in the Philly Spin in, a team cycling fundraiser that benefits CHOP where some from the league participated and helped raise $1.2 million. This balance between treating sick kids and also serving as the mentor for young men at the Alumni paints the picture of Tyronne Hill not just being the ambassador for the Alumni League, but also as a pillar of his community.
However, Hill's journey and the Alumni League's mission are parts of a larger narrative about community resilience and redemption in Philadelphia. The city, known for its vibrant culture and historical significance, also contends with shadows cast by socioeconomic challenges. It's within this environment that the Alumni League has planted its roots, striving not just to be another recreational platform, but a catalyst for change.
"A lot of kids have so much talent in the rec leagues around the city because kids can't get off the streets because of how broken parts of the education system are" Coach Haggarty detailed. "As a coach, they need someone to guide them, be there, and let them know what they need to do in order for them to be better people."
As for Commissioner Cheatham, he has always envisioned the league having a greater calling than just the action that happens on the court. With their league motto being "Professionalism is Everything", Commissioner Cheatham has always envisioned this message being a part of every facet that the league has to offer.
"Every single season that we have games, there is always an opportunity for growth," Cheatham said. "Whether it be expanding our league to different cities, having live coverage of our games, or having our inaugural community day this past summer, the chance for innovation is always there and we will always plan on capitalizing on it."
While the league has always attempted to make strives as it pertains to its community involvement, that doesn't mean that this doesn't come without its challenges. Throughout the years, the league has worked relentlessly to try and minimize on-court incidences as much as possible in order to ensure a safe experience for anyone involved. In order to combat this, the league has taken several measures including collecting data on league conduct, utilizing player incentives, as well as having regular communications with players, coaches, and fans of the league in order to ensure a healthy relationship between everyone involved.
"The main vision for our league is to have a professional setting for players to compete at the highest level, Cheatham said. "We do not and will not accept players who cannot conduct themselves maturely. Having players who feel safe having their family members attend our games means a lot to us which is why safety will always be our number one priority."
One way specifically that the league tries to address this is by being fully transparent about the data they collect on altercations that occur during games. Twice every season, the league releases a conduct report that keeps track of the number of fights, flagrant and technical fouls, ejections, suspensions, and number of fines given out.
"The conduct report we post twice each season is meant to hold our league standards accountable and to compare our strengths and weaknesses from each prior season," Cheatham said. "Keeping that data helps us analyze what we as a league need to improve upon or what we need to maintain."
Another vehicle that the league has used to give back to the community comes through politics. Throughout the years, the league has held fundraisers, as well as inviting guests of honor for councilmen and other political officials as yet another way to give back to the community. Some of these individuals include Philadelphia City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas as well as City Commissioner Omar Sabir who was a special guest at this year's Alumni League Championship.
"There is no more direct way to help our communities than by having politicians who take up the issues we face daily as their own," Cheatham said. "Because of this, I feel that it is important to use our league as a platform to give the spotlight to some of the politicians and people in power that work for our needs and causes on a daily basis."'
This community aspect of the Alumni League doesn't just include the players and coaches but also to Fahreed Cheatham's staff. Statistician Steven Reid and trainer Shanda Jones have been a part of the league's fabric since the start of season 3 and have stayed around through thick and thin, as they both saw the vision of the league in the same way as Commissioner Cheatham.
"Steve, our statistician, saw something unique here. His loyalty, along with our trainer and other members, has been phenomenal. We've seen each other through life events—funerals, celebrations, everything."
This familial aspect transcends the league's professional realm. "It's about loyalty, making everyone from players to staff feel they're part of something extraordinary. That's the glue. It's not about money; it's about family. Showing up for my daughter's volleyball games—that's what it means to be part of the Alumni League" said Cheatham.
The Alumni League emerges as more than a basketball league within the heart of Philadelphia; it symbolizes hope, unity, and a transformative force in a city grappling with socio-economic trials. The league's commitment transcends the boundaries of a basketball court, embedding itself in the fabric of mentorship and civic engagement. Commissioner Fahreed Cheatham's vision articulates a future filled with potential, not just within the confines of the game but in its capacity to effect meaningful change. The league stands as a beacon, illuminating a path forward for communities overshadowed by adversity, championing the notion that through solidarity, purpose, and commitment, profound societal impact is achievable.
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