HR0161 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0161 LRB101 11432 ALS 57071 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Charles "Coach" Chambers of Chicago, who passed away on February 11. 2019; and

WHEREAS, Charles Chambers was born in St. Louis, Missouri to his mother, Autry L. Chambers and his grandmother, Frankie P. Williams; he moved to his permanent hometown of Chicago when he was nine; as the oldest of nine children, he worked at a local grocery store and ran newspaper routes to help his mother with expenses; in 1964, he graduated from DuSable High School, where he played football and basketball; he continued his love for both sports at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, where he received an athletic scholarship and was the only African American on the football team; in 1968, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education; and

WHEREAS, Charles Chambers returned to Chicago and accepted a position as a physical education teacher at Hearst Elementary; there, he began his coaching career with 7th and 8th grade boys basketball; in 1972, he became a varsity football coach and a freshman-sophomore basketball coach at Tilden High School; he later became a varsity football coach at Calumet High School, where he also coached the girls basketball team at Lane Tech and won back-to-back city titles in 1985 and 1986; he received his first head coaching opportunity at Chicago Vocational High School in 1989, where he became the coach with the most state playoff wins and the second most overall wins in the school's history, revolutionizing Chicago Public League football; and

WHEREAS, After retiring from Chicago Vocational High School, Charles Chambers spent his days assisting the next generation of head coaches; most recently, he served as the assistant coach at Harlan Community Academy, where his son Cassius is the head coach; and

WHEREAS, Charles Chambers is survived by his life partner and friend, Corrina (Cocoa); his children, Taji, Chucky, Cassius, Chez, and Jeremiah; his grandchildren, Alaisha, Chucky Jr., Jalen, LaChez, Jyishon, Layden, Canaan, and Cassius "CJ"; his siblings, Ray, Valerie, Halycon, Ledell, the late Ardell, Demetric, Wanda, and Constance; and his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including the faculty, staff, and student body at Chicago Vocational High School; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Charles "Coach" Chambers and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Charles Chambers as an expression of our deepest sympathy.