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welcome!

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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!
July 6, 2019 - Update
Lake Forest High School hosts third annual NetGain event

NICK FRAZIER, Sports Editor
Reprinted from THE LAKE FOREST LEADER  |  July 5, 2019
PHOTOS BY NICK FRAZIER/22ND CENTURY MEDIA
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Junior Jack Malloy goes up for a shot against Orr Academy at the NetGain event on Thursday, June 27, at LFHS.
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Lake Forest head coach Phil LaScala talks with Orr Academy coach Louis Adams during the NetGain game.

​Lake Forest High School and Orr Academy kept their tradition alive on Thursday, June 27.

For the third straight year, the Scout and Spartan basketball teams squared off at Lake Forest High School in the NetGain charity event. NetGain’s goal is to raise money for young student-athletes in one of Chicago’s most dangerous neighborhoods. 

Orr Academy, winner of three-straight IHSA Class AA titles, came out victorious in the varsity game on Thursday, using speed and defensive pressure to defeat Lake Forest 57-43.

“They’re a really good team, I don’t think we handled their quickness very well in the beginning,” Scouts coach Phil LaScala said. “They cause a lot of turnovers, they did a great job defensively causing those turnovers. That was something that they did really well, we did better in the second half against it.”

Jack Malloy and Asa Thomas had strong games for the Scouts, but the scoreboard obviously wasn’t important to either team. The main objective was to raise money for Orr Academy.

NetGain was formed in 2017 in 2017 when Tom Dickelman, Fred Koch and Rick Telander met with Lake Forest (High School) and formed a creative partnership to help a city high school. The first NetGain raised more than $35,000. The final tally of money raised this year was not available at press time.

Last year, Lake Forest invited New Trier and John Marshall Metropolitan High School, and NetGain raised more than $40,000 as a result. This year, Lake Forest got back to the basics.

“We decided to keep it with just Orr and us, just to simplify it a little bit, LaScala said. “We want to get other schools to gravitate to do the same thing, that’s probably going to be our goal in the future with our NetGain, as one of our things is having some of the suburban schools go to a different (CPS) public school and do some fun things like this with them.”

NetGain raised money by raffling off gift cards to local restaurants, preseason tickets to a Chicago Bulls game and a Rajon Rondo-signed basketball, among other things. There was a cookout after the varsity game, where players and parents from both teams could mingle and enjoy the weather.

Needless to say, the NetGain event is an important one at Lake Forest High School.

“It was awesome, awesome to see,” LaScala said. (There were) a lot of parents, a lot of former players here, it was great to see.”
​

June 23, 2019 - Update
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Kindness and Generosity Abound
​

Many have asked how to support the NetGain mission if unable to attend the event!

Easy!
Send your tax-deductible donation check made out to Community Church Charities to:
The Community Church of Lake Forest / Lake Bluff
P.O. Box 26
Lake Bluff, IL 60044


Thank you!

June 14, 2019 - Update
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3rd Annual NetGain Basketball Game to Benefit Inner-City Chicago Student Athletes

Thursday, June 27  |  Lake Forest High School
Free Admission


It all began in 2017 when Tom Dickelman, Fred Koch and Rick Telander along with Lake Forest High School formed a creative partnership to help the young student athletes in one of Chicago's most dangerous neighborhoods.
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
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Lake Forest Leader Spotlights Net Gain 2018
Did you miss the Net Gain cover story in the Lake Forest Leader newspaper?

Click here to view the entire article on our Gallery page.

July 5, 2018 - Update
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WGN-TV Produces Net Gain Segment
Everyone involved with Net Gain would like to thank Julie Unruh and the entire WGN-TV Channel 9 staff and crew for shining a spotlight on Net Gain. It truly is "More Than a Game."

Click here to go to the WGN-TV Net Gain story.

Click here to view the video on our Gallery page.

July 3, 2018 - Update
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Another Wonderful Net Gain Event
Thanks to all who came out in support of yesterday's Net Gain 2018 event. It was a huge success on multiple levels and we are thrilled to help make this experience happen for these kids!

More Great News
Julie Unruh, from WGN-TV Channel 9 in Chicago came out with her video crew and is creating a NET GAIN story!

Julie plans on airing the NET GAIN segment this Thursday, July 5 at 10:00 pm on Channel 9. It should re-run the following day between 11am - 1pm, as well. The video will also be archived at WGNTV.com
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.
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June 19, 2018 - Update
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We are grateful to everyone who has generously offered to help to make this year's Net Gain 2018 event another great success.

Wondering how you can help?
Here are three options:
1. Provide Sponsorship - Visit our Sponsorship page for details.
2. Volunteer to help with the after game barbeque - Click here to sign up.
3. Simply come out to Lake Forest High School on Monday, July 2 and enjoy some great basketball. First game tips off at 12:00 noon!
Game 1:
​Orr Academy (CPS) vs. Lake Forest
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Game 2:
​Marshall Metro (CPS) vs. New Trier
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June 11, 2018 - Update
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​Volunteers Needed!

Everyone is getting excited about this year's Net Gain event which takes place on Monday, July 2 starting at
​12:00 PM at Lake Forest High School! See below for details.

We are in need of volunteers to help with the barbeque event for players, coaches and sponsors following the games.

Please click here if you can help by bringing a dish to pass, beverages, etc...

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
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This is great news!

Our own Rick Telander was named a winner of the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi award for his 5-part series on the Orr Academy basketball team that inspired Net Gain 2017.

Rick's award will be presented June 8 at The National Press Club in Washington.

​Congratulations Rick. We are so proud of you!
​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
Net Gain 2017 is proud and excited to  have supporters all across the country!
An anonymous source in Cleveland, Ohio offered a total gym workout system as a donation to Orr Academy. The only catch was it had to be picked up, disassembled, brought to Chicago and then set up again!
So a team of volunteers rented a BIG truck and brought the equipment back to Orr Academy where a few expert technicians set it all up again.
​Coach Adams says the boys are in there everyday not only building strength, but confidence.
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Technicians setting up at Orr
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Players enjoying their workout

August 1, 2017 - Update
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Coach Lou Adams and Tom Dickelman
Net Gain 2017 is proud to support the efforts of Coach Lou Adams and the Orr Academy basketball program.

The first contribution of $15,000 will go to purchase:
• Repair of gym lighting
• Freshman uniforms, shoes, gym bags, warmups
• Sophomore uniforms, shoes, gym bags, warmups
• Varsity uniforms, shoes, gym bags, warmups,       practice jerseys & shorts
• Weight ropes
• Ball racks
• Basketballs 
• One out of town trip
• Basketball camp for neighborhood children

July 31, 2017 - Update
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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
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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!
​

July 7, 2017 - Update

See the new New Gain 2017 in Pictures slideshow on The Event page!
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​Thank you to our financial sponsors and to the generous in-kind donations which make
​Net Gain a reality...