Salute to the Champions – South Dallas Style

By Andrew Whigham, III

It was a great day for a parade on Saturday, April 23, 2022 in “Sunny South Dallas” celebrating the James Madison Boys State Basketball Champions for 2021-2022. Starting on Holmes St. and traveling east on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr to the steps of The Great James Madison High School, the parade featured bands from Dade Middle, Kimball High, South Oak Cliff High and the James Madison High School Bands.”

The Corvette Club was well represented as they provided transportation for the Dallas ISD dignitaries, state and local representatives and the honorees — the Boys Basketball Championship Team, who was showered with T-shirts and other trinkets commemorating this special occasion that these young created.

Once the parade reached its destination at the school, a large crowd was cheering with anticipation and the program, which was hosted by Marion Willard, principal of
Madison began with her introducing the rostrum guests that included: Dr. Michael Hinojosa – Superintendent of Dallas Independent School District (DISD); State Senator Royce West ; County

Commissioner John Wiley Price; Dr. Pam Lear, Chief of Staff – DISD; Tiffany Huitt, Chief of Schools – DISD; DISD Trustee Maxey Johnson – District 5; DISD Trustee Joyce Foreman – District 6; DISD Trustee Justin Henry

District 9; and Dr. Deardra Hayes-Whigham – Executive Director of Secondary Schools (Carter, Kimball, Lincoln and Madison).

Dr. Hinojosa encouraged the State Champions “to be proud of where you come from and that you are a part of a Great Legacy from The Great James Madison.”

Several Proclamations were given to the State Champion Coach Damien Mobley and his players. There were several Madison Alumni present at the event. Allen Madison, a proud graduate of James Madison class of 1963 provided the team and the crowd with the history and many accomplishments of the school.

This year’s team brought home their fifth State UIL Championship in the School’s History. Back in March, James Madison won the 3A state title game against San Antonio Cole 53-51 in the Alamo Dome in San Antonio. Many schools in the DFW area brought home the Gold this school year. Starting with DeSoto High School Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team, Duncanville High School Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team, Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team and the South Oak Cliff Varsity Football Team.

It’s been a great year for several Dallas area High School Teams. However, on this day: The light of Sunny South Dallas shined brightly on “The Great James Madison High School Trojans 2021 – 2022 UIL State Champions!”