Coach Paris Martin led Phillips to its first state basketball championship in 49 years last season.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis and Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) spoke at a celebration pep rally March 13, posing for photos and soaking in the goodwill Martin’s team brought to Bronzeville.
According to a lawsuit filed in federal court, however, Martin was suffering behind the scenes that day and all season.
Martin, Phillips’ coach for the last two seasons, claims that Chicago Public Schools never has paid him and that he never officially has been cleared to coach by CPS. The school district requires that all coaches pass a background test.
Martin filed the suit against CPS, Phillips, Phillips athletic director James Daniels IV, Phillips principal Rashad Talley, Phillips operations manager Shelonda Mackey and Phillips girls basketball coach Larry Stokes in the Northern District of Illinois’ Eastern Division on July 8.
‘‘I was strung along, and they took advantage of the fact that I didn’t know about the hiring process of CPS,’’ Martin told the Sun-Times on Thursday. ‘‘I’ve filled out the application more than five times. It only gets to the fingerprint portion, and then I never hear back.’’
Martin, who is not an employee of the school, said he’s due a stipend of nearly $7,500 for each season he has coached.
‘‘It’s more than that,’’ Martin said. ‘‘I’m doing this for the kids, not for the money. But someone else is taking that money. I’m paying my own money for meals for the kids and uniforms and shoes. [Phillips] keeps telling me there isn’t anything in the budget.’’
Martin said the basketball players are frustrated that they haven’t received their state-championship rings.
Lawrence Briggs, who was Phillips’ basketball coach for nearly a decade before Martin, said he received his stipend every year. Briggs is still a full-time employee at the school. Martin was hired by the previous Phillips AD and principal.
‘‘I’m not their guy,’’ Martin said. ‘‘[Daniels] has said that to me. I would go to him for uniforms. We need to look like a top program. Me and the assistants all chipped in to buy the kids warmup uniforms and shoes. We went down to state to play the games, and the coaches and I had to pay for the kids to eat. Every time I asked [Daniels], he said there was nothing in the budget.’’
Michael Wallace, one of Martin’s assistant coaches, said he received a partial stipend last season.
‘‘The administration at the school definitely does not have our back,’’ Wallace said. ‘‘Everyone on the team has a GPA above 3.30, and we’ve had 14 players earn basketball scholarships in two years. I’m doing this for the kids and the love of the game. At the same time, who doesn’t want to get compensated?’’
Phillips played in front of big crowds in its new gym — the nicest in the Public League — the last two seasons. But Martin and Wallace said the basketball program never received the money from ticket sales or concessions.
‘‘I would see [Daniels] pay the scorekeeper right out of that cash, but there was never anything for the basketball program and they aren’t paying the coaches,’’ Martin said.
Martin grew up on the South Side and attended CPS elementary schools before graduating from Hinsdale South. He began coaching club basketball when his son Kendall developed into a star. Phillips is his first high-school-coaching job.
Phillips beat Benton to win the Class 2A state title last season in Champaign. The team also took trips to Quincy and DeKalb. Martin said he and his coaches paid for many meals and other expenses on those trips.
The Illinois High School Association was unaware of the situation early Thursday.
‘‘The IHSA plans to gather more information and has no comment at this time,’’ spokesperson Matt Troha said.
Martin’s lawsuit is seeking ‘‘compensatory damages in the amount the court deems just and fair’’ and is seeking $1 million for ‘‘mental anguish, anxiety and depression due to the harassment and discrimination he suffered at the hand of CPS.’’
Daniels declined to comment when reached. Talley, Mackey and Stokes haven’t responded to requests for comment.
CPS said it doesn’t comment on specific personnel issues or ongoing litigation.
