Friends of MPHS Girls Track
The legacy of the Morgan Park Girls Track Team started 26 years ago under the coaching expertise of Derrick Calhoun. Coach Calhoun has earned many honors over the years, including being inducted into the Illionis Track & Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame. With the assistance of Monica Dawson, the two coaches established a legacy that is recognized around the country as one of the most elite track and field programs.
Since 1989, the team has accumulated:
15 consecutive City Championships
9 Cross Country City Championships
7 State Championships
8 State Runner –up titles (Most recently in 2015)
18 Individual State Champions
25 State Championship Relay Teams
65 All State Relay Teams
108 Individual State Medalists
6 State Records
25 National All American Relay Teams
30 Individual National All Americans
7 Individual National Champions
1 International Team Gold Medalist
The current members of the Morgan Park Girls Track Team still represent the powerful legacy of excellence on and off the field. They have been recognized by the City Council, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Alderman Matt O'Shea and the Council of Kenyan Marathon Runners for their most recent accomplishments. This past season, the Lady Mustangs brought home another Team State Runner-up trophy and 3 relay team gold medals. Not only has the team produced outstanding high school athletes, they have embraced a team dynamic centered on discipline, loyalty, leadership and the development of strong, successful women. Hundreds of athletes that have gone through the program have obtained full scholarships as collegiate athletes across the country; transitioned into successful working professionals in various backgrounds; and many continued the legacy as track and field coaches themselves. Despite the unquestionable talent and commitment these athletes have shown over the years, funding has always been a hurdle.
The team trains ten months out of the calendar year as high school and summer track club athletes. With limited access to modernized sports equipment and indoor track facilities, the team is sometimes forced to deal with certain disadvantages. To allow the legacy to continue to shape outstanding student athletes into outstanding women in life, I ask that everyone donate to reach the $10,000 goal. Chicago Public Schools has slashed Morgan Park’s budget by $400,000 this year and athletic teams are forced to be aggressive with fundraising. The money raised will be used for new team uniforms, equipment, and traveling expenses for year round track meets. Every dollar donated is a dollar closer to meeting the team goal! Thank you for your support!
