SIAP: RIP Donnie Kirksey
Coach Donnie Kirksey was a giant in the world of Chicago prep basketball and a mentor to our own Juwan Howard. He was an assistant coach on Juwan's high school team at Chicago Vocational and was instrumental in Juwan's decision to sign with Michigan. Juwan counts him as one of his most important influences growing up and the two remained close.
He was 57 and died of Covid-19.
Donnie Kirksey: Vocational basketball coach died Monday from COVID-19 - Chicago Sun-Times
December 29th, 2020 at 1:04 PM ^
Kirksey impacted the arc of the basketball world, the university and American culture in general with his guidance of Juwan as they considered schools. #RIP
December 29th, 2020 at 1:19 PM ^
And Juwan was the first of the Fab Five to commit, and played a role in landing the others.
Getting Kirksey on our side was big.
December 29th, 2020 at 2:02 PM ^
Thanks for posting. Sad news for the Chicago basketball landscape. He was a legend.
Pro tip: I suggest adding a slightly more descriptive title since most probably don't know Kirksey's connection to our program. This news is definitely related to our program, but most won't know why.
December 29th, 2020 at 2:07 PM ^
Met him a few times and he was an absolute gentleman and legendary Chicagoan. This is a terrible loss for so many reasons - he was a major piece of the Chicago landscape and a CPL institution.
December 29th, 2020 at 5:00 PM ^
57 is too young. RIP young mentor and coach.
December 29th, 2020 at 2:39 PM ^
Obit section
December 29th, 2020 at 5:01 PM ^
Seriously, how many people would have clicked their if it wasn’t posted here?