Advertisement

Michael Jordan heads school fund drive

CHICAGO, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Basketball great Michael Jordan and his wife, Juanita, are heading an ambitious fundraising drive for an all-boys Roman Catholic school in Chicago.

Hales Franciscan High School is trying to raise $15 million, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. The school is one of three Catholic schools in the country with an entirely black and male student body. Since 1992, it has been run independently.

Advertisement

"We've gone through a trial basis, if you will, and it's just obvious how much they care here about helping these kids succeed," Jordan said. "We can contribute to a lot of things in Chicago, but we believe here we can make a difference."

The school received a $150,000 Michael and Juanita Jordan Endowment Fund grant in 1999.

Hales is known for both academics and athletics. In 2005, 39 of the 41 graduating students went on to college, while the Hales Spartans won Class A state basketball championships in 2003 and 2005.

Latest Headlines