Murfreesboro City Schools ends traditional basketball league, replaces it with different sports clinics

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Murfreesboro City Schools (MCS) has ended its long-standing basketball league for elementary students, the school district told WSMV4 Friday.

MCS is instead replacing the league with a series of sports clinics aimed at providing a more widespread athletic experience and allowing students to explore new sports.

More than 200 parents and community members have signed a petition to try and reinstate the basketball league. Omar Lyons, a local basketball coach, has helped share the petition online. He grew up playing in the MCS league.

“My first reaction was just disappointment, just for the kids,” basketball coach Omar Lyons said. “The kids need something to compete in, something to grow in.”

MCS said part of the reason it ended the basketball league is because its facilities cannot safely accommodate the growing demands, including crowd control during games.

“While the MCS stand-alone basketball teams will no longer be offered through the school district, we will continue our partnership with the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation to utilize our larger gymnasiums as they offer basketball recreational leagues for our students,” the district said.

Lyons is hoping MCS will reconsider its decision.

“There were times those elementary games were more packed than the middle school games, and more competitive,” Lyons said. “I hate it for the parents as well, a lot of parents look forward to the league, they come home after a hard day’s work just to see their baby play and now they’re not going to get that opportunity.”

MCS will also offer specialized sports clinics throughout the year in partnership with Middle Tennessee State University and the district’s Coordinated School Health team.

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