Southern Dallas Champions Celebration honors Coaches, Athletes  and Educators

The DISD in partnership with the Dallas Mavericks brought energy, recognition, and community pride to Sunny South Dallas with the Southern Dallas Champions Celebration” honoring the coaches, educators, and student-athletes who represent the heart of Southern Dallas. 

Held at Madison High School, the Mavs ManiAACs and the Mavs D-Town Crew along with Spaceboi Fresh and Dallas Mavericks Chris Arnold joined District leadership, school principals, and head basketball coaches from South Oak Cliff, Lincoln, DeSoto, Carter, and Madison high schools.

Madison High School Principal Lonnie Russell opened the program with remarks celebrating Southern Dallas community pride, followed by retired South Oak Cliff Athletic Director Coach James Mays, who spoke to what it truly means to build champions with an appearance from DISD Board Trustee Ed Turner.

Dallas Mavericks legend Rolando Blackman delivered the keynote address on behalf of the organization with an appearance from Ethan Casson, Dallas Mavericks President, connecting the Mavericks’ legacy to the resilience and spirit of Southern Dallas. Blackman’s remarks underscored the organization’s deep commitment to the communities that have long shaped the culture and identity of the city.

The program honorees were:

• James Mays — Retired Athletic Director, South Oak Cliff High School
• Antoine Thompson — Head Boys Basketball Coach, South Oak Cliff High School
• Cedric Griffin — Head Boys Basketball Coach, Lincoln High School
• Ashley Greer — Head Girls Basketball Coach, Lincoln High School
• Andrea Riley — Head Girls Basketball Coach, DeSoto High School
• Lyndon Love — Head Boys Basketball Coach, Carter High School
• Phillip Thomas — Girls Varsity Head Basketball Coach, James Madison High School
• Tyeisha Freeman — Varsity Head Cheer Coach, James Madison High School
• Patricia Williams — Junior Varsity Head Cheer Coach, James Madison High School
• Gerald Smith — Head Boys Basketball Coach, James Madison High School

Following the recognition ceremony, all honorees, VIPs, and the Mavericks delegation gathered on the Madison High School court for an official group photo, before the Madison High School Cheer team closed the event with an upbeat send-off performance.