Excel Academies of Chicago Shaping Today’s Student-Athletes
At the Excel Academies of Chicago, sports are part of a foundation for student growth. In a city known for its high school basketball talent, Excel Academies is ensuring its students not only thrive but also become part of that legacy on their own terms.
Supporting Student Athletes Through Sports
Across the campuses – Englewood, Roseland, Southwest, and South Shore – which operate within the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, coaches mentor students and create an additional safe space where they can show up on and off the court. While each campus has its own identity, a throughline for the athletics programs is opportunity made possible by participation in the Alternative School Network (ASN) league.
For students, sports provide motivation, structure, and a sense of belonging, while also serving as a pathway to future aspirations. This work begins long before tip-off. Coach Chase Bradley stepped into his role at Excel Academy of Englewood just days before the season began. He quickly realized many students were used to competing and inconsistency. Drawing from his personal experience as a student athlete, he understood the importance of building a relationship with the students, committing to starting something, and seeing it through. Bradley wanted to show them differently and be someone they could look up to.
“My goal with the boys was to win, but more importantly, to build confidence,” he said. “To show them what they’re capable of.”
Building Confidence Through Athletics
That consistency has paid off. The Excel Englewood Bulls finished with one of the best winning seasons, qualifying for the city playoffs and advancing to the state level.
At Excel Academy of Southwest, Head Coach Anthony Jones also emphasizes sports as a way to build life skills.
“As a coach, you’re a mentor, a counselor, it’s all included,” he said. “You have to be conscious of trauma and be able to center your players and say, ‘Now, let’s have fun and play ball’.”
Southwest’s program reflects a strong balance of structure and support, evident in the team’s unity. Even with a small roster, there is a clear emphasis that every individual matters. In past seasons, some players navigated language barriers. Through basketball, they’ve found a connection. This demonstrates how universal the sport is and how it breaks down differences.
Accountability, Culture, and Teamwork
“The culture is accountability,” Jones said. “They hold each other accountable; they operate as a team.”
That responsibility extends beyond the court and into the classroom. Players must keep their grades up to remain on the team. This reinforces the idea that they are a student first and an athlete second. While all Excel Southwest team members aspire to play in college, Jones reminds them that education comes first and opportunities must be earned, not given. Setting that expectation early has become a source of motivation.
Another defining theme at Excel Southwest is to never count out the underdogs – or in this case, the Bulldogs. One of their standout games this season came after trailing by nearly 20 points at halftime. Jones, who passed the reins to Coach Isiah Johnson this year, listened in on the huddle and also left inspired.
“Observing Coach Johnson center the players, calming them down as they were excited and nervous, and then watching how they took that feedback and applied it,” Jones said. “You can always see a student start to believe in themselves.”
That encouragement carried through the second half, where the Bulldogs rallied to win the game by four points.
Growth Through Experience and Leadership
At the Excel Academy of Roseland, Coach Raynard Gillispie has seen firsthand how belief can change everything. An alumnus of Excel Englewood and former basketball player for the school, he credits his time there with helping him develop his skills and build lasting relationships with teammates and mentors. Now, he brings those same lessons to his students. He applies them both in the classroom and on the court.
“Our team’s culture is rooted in trust, accountability and a shared purpose,” said Gillispie. “We prioritize academic excellence and character development, recognizing that our students are more than just athletes. Many of our players face significant challenges outside of school, and basketball provides a vital outlet and support system.”
With a 9–2 record and a No. 2 conference ranking, the Excel Roseland Bears are proving that culture and performance go hand-in-hand. As Gillispie and coach Brown look to bring home the championship trophy, they also hope to inspire the broader school community, demonstrating the value of hard work, dedication, and, of course, a little pride (and bragging points) for Excel Roseland.
“One of our standout moments was when a player who had never scored was given the opportunity,” he said. “With the team’s support, he scored his first points – including two three-pointers – and gained newfound confidence.”
Discipline, Focus, and Routine
Like many of the teams across Excel Academies, building trust and confidence is rooted in discipline, focus, and the power of routine.
At Southwest, game day begins in silence.
“On the way to the game, there’s no talking,” Jones shared. “It’s a moment to collect your thoughts, focus, and block out distractions.”
At Englewood, Bradley instilled a simple but powerful mantra: control.
“Before every practice and game, we’d say, ‘Control your pace, control your emotions, control the game,’” he said.
These practices teach students how to manage pressure, stay grounded, and make intentional decisions – skills that translate directly to life beyond the court.
Preparing Student Athletes for the Future
“I’m glad we have the opportunity to build a sports culture,” Jones said. “Many people attribute their success to positive experiences with sports, and I’m grateful our campuses have invested in having our programs continue.”
Through sports, the Excel Academies of Chicago are guiding students toward confidence, personal growth, discipline, and a future full of possibilities.
