welcome!
It all started with a simple question,
"What can we do to help these kids?" Rick Telander's five-part profile on the Orr Academy High School basketball team is moving and personal, heartbreaking and encouraging. Net Gain 2017 was our response - a fundraiser to support the Orr basketball program and a cultural exchange to positively impact young men from both Orr Academy High School (CPS) and Lake Forest High Schools. On Saturday, June 24 the Orr Academy High School basketball teams visited Lake Forest High School and played two exhibition games - junior varsity tipped off at 2:00 and the varsity teams played the second game. See out Net Gain 2017 in Pictures slideshow on The Event page for some visual highlights. In an effort for the teams to get to know each other, a luncheon at the Lake Forest beach pavilion took place before the games, as well as an after game barbecue with the players, coaches and sponsors. By all accounts, Net Gain 2017 "exceeded all expectations" and proved to be an eye opening educational experience for all student athletes involved as well as a successful fundraiser for the Orr Academy's basketball program. Our original goal in 2017 was to raise $15,000 toward a multi-year commitment supporting Orr Academy High School's basketball program. To date we have raised over $35,000. You can still help. Visit our Sponsorship page! |
June 14, 2019 - Update
The first year we had a modest goal of raising $15,000 to help the basketball team at Orr Academy High School (CPS). Not only did we exceed our expectations by raising $35,000, we were also able to provide a complete weight room for all their athletes and much more!
Last year we raised a little more money at the annual summer game and we experimented a bit as we welcomed New Trier High School and Marshall Metropolitan High School (CPS) to the event. This year, it is mostly about continuing to foster the relationship between Orr Academy and Lake Forest High School - two schools that are different in so many ways - using basketball as the common denominator. Orr Academy has won three consecutive Illinois AA titles, and Lake Forest is on the way up - and excited about repeating last year's victory. This year, two basketball games will be played at the LFHS campus on McKinley Road in Lake Forest, IL. 11:30 AM - Orr Academy vs. LFHS (Junior Varsity Boys) 1:00 PM - Orr Academy vs. LFHS (Varsity Boys) For more information, scroll through our website. July 27, 2018 - Update
July 5, 2018 - Update
July 3, 2018 - Update
GameChangers
The Net Gain team would also extend our sincere thanks to Mr. Joe Dondanville, producer and creative force behind the extraordinary documentary film, GameChangers, for bringing New Trier High School and Marshall Metropolitan High School (CPS) together again to be a part of Net Gain 2018. Clear here to view the GameChangers trailer. Net Gain 2018 in Pictures Visit our Events page to see a short photo slideshow of yesterday's great day of basketball, friendship and fellowship. June 19, 2018 - Update
June 11, 2018 - Update
May 29, 2018 - Update
What's Next?
After last year’s very successful Net Gain event, it was unclear what would happen. Would we leave it as a memorable, one-time event? Or, would we find a way to build on last year? Recently, we were contacted by the gentlemen behind the outstanding documentary Gamechangers, which tells the extraordinary story of the New Trier High School / Marshall Metropolitan High School basketball games in 1965 and 1966. The Gamechangers production team was aware of Net Gain 2017 and were interested in developing a partnership to create a follow up event. We have had a number of conversations and recently our Net Gain team met with Joe Dondanville, who produced the Gamechangers documentary and is the key person in the New Trier / Marshall effort. (For more background on the games, watch the video below.) We are very excited to announce this year's Net Gain event to be held at Lake Forest High School featuring four high school basketball teams in two games: 1. Orr Academy High School (CPS) vs. Lake Forest High School 2. Marshall Metropolitan High School (CPS) vs. New Trier High School If you have seen Gamechangers, you will get a sense of the unique and powerful connection between the two schools. Needless to say, we were excited about the possibilities! Mark your calendars now for our next Net Gain event on Monday, July 2, 2018 at Lake Forest High School. • Game one tips off at 12:00 • We will have a suggested donation of $5 • T-shirts will be available for sale • We will pursue sponsorships and additional revenue opportunities • Event revenue will be split 50/50 (Net Gain / Gamechangers) • Custom game jerseys for all players • Half time and between game fun and fund generators • A host of basketball and area celebrities • A post-game BBQ (hosted by the LFHS Boosters) for players, coaches and sponsors to meet and greet • T-shirts for all teams and sponsors WCIU-TV Interview: Remembering Momentous Basketball Game Between New Trier and Marshall (5:46)
April 24, 2018 - Update
Read the Chicago Sun-Times announcement here. Read Rick's 5-part series here or click on The Orr Story tab at the top of the page.
November 9, 2017 - Update
August 1, 2017 - Update
July 31, 2017 - Update
As broadcast on NBC's Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly 7/30/17
"Lou Adams is more that just a coach of Orr Academy's boys basketball team. He's become a mentor and savior to the boys on his team - inspiring them to see a life for themselves beyond their violent surroundings." Click here or visit the Gallery page to view the full episode along with two bonus videos: 'An interview with Orr Principal, Dr. Shanele Andrews,' and 'Parents of Orr Basketball Players Share Their Fears For Their Sons.' July 28, 2017 - Update
Now here is some GOOD NEWS!
On Sunday, July 30, Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly will feature an episode spotlighting the exceptional work Coach Lou Adams is doing with the Orr Academy High School basketball program! The episode airs at 7:00 PM (EST) / 6:00 PM (CST). Inspired by Rick Telander’s five-part profile on Coach Adams, his players and the realities of growing up in the violence infested west side of Chicago, this episode promises to be a thoughtful and inspiring story of our time. For a sneak peek, click here to read the July 28 Chicago Sun-Times story 'Orr Coach Lou Adams Profiled on NBC's 'Sunday Night with Megan Kelly.' Once the program has been aired, we will provide a link here on Net Gain 2017. And if you have not read Rick’s articles, click here to read all five outstanding articles, plus his follow up story. All of us involved with Net Gain 2017 congratulate Coach Adams on his well-deserved recognition and we are proud to support his efforts as he supports and enriches the lives of the Orr Academy students! |
