photo by steed media service

For young people growing up in the inner city of Chicago, staying away from trouble and conflict can sometimes be a challenge. As the girls basketball coach for Marshall High School, Dorothy L. Gaters gives female students the opportunity to channel their focus and attention on competitiveness instead of negative distractions. A coach and leader with the school since 1975, Gaters has watched many of the young ladies from the team develop into successful and ambitious women.

“Well, I think the statistics will [bear] me out that athletics plays an important role in the lives of so many young men and women,” she says. “I want them to understand that this is just a steppingstone to the rest of their lives and that when they participate at the high school level ... there are scholarships that will pay for [college].”

With Phoenix Mercury player and Rutgers University graduate Cappie Pondexter being one of five ladies who have played for Gaters and later found careers in the WNBA, the Marshall High School coach is excited that the female students who are currently in her program have such positive examples they can follow.

“These kids have some great role models to look up to, because Cappie not only has exceeded her wildest expectations as an athlete, but she has a degree from Rutgers to back it up,” she proudly says.

Gaters is committed to helping those around her.

“Our community has been well supported and we’re a reflection of our community,” she says. “[These are] hardworking young men and women.” -jason thompson

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