Coach Ernest Radcliffe was loading his car, getting ready to go to baseball observe Saturday evening, when two younger males approached him.
“My thoughts was … ‘I do not need to get shot.’ I did not say it, however I did not need to get shot,” Radcliffe stated.
Radcliffe’s car was parked in entrance of his residence close to Intersection 61St and Ellis, simply steps from the College of Chicago campus.
Radcliffe is the baseball coach at Morgan Park Excessive Faculty, director of the Present Journey baseball program and director of the South Facet Wolfpack soccer program. He has been teaching for over 20 years.
Every part he wants to coach his groups is inside his car: his pc, calendar notes, bats, balls, clothes and extra.
Police say a person bought out of a car and entered Radcliffe’s car earlier than fleeing the scene. The case stays below investigation.
“I am attempting to be mentally sturdy about it, however this can be a state of affairs nobody ought to ever be in,” he stated.
A guardian of considered one of his gamers was notified that a field of baseball attire was discovered in the midst of a residential avenue shortly after his automotive was stolen. Coach Radcliffe was in a position to get well a few of his uniforms, however the remainder of his gear was gone.
“We’re a downtown program and we attempt to do the very best we will,” he stated. “We be certain that our younger individuals have the very best stuff and all the pieces, so it will get costly.”
Radcliffe is now on track to interchange the tools so his gamers can return to coaching this weekend.
Whereas this crime is a setback, he stated it will not cease him from persevering with his mission to assist a whole bunch of Chicago kids every year.
He believes comparable applications may have helped younger individuals who dedicated crime.
“These had been younger individuals who most likely want steerage. “In all probability if he was in a constructive surroundings program, taking part in sports activities, with some self-discipline, he most likely would not be there to do that,” Radcliffe stated of the crime. “We will not save all of them, however we will attempt to save as many as we will.”
If you would like to assist Radcliffe, e-mail NBC 5 reporter Lexi Sutter at lexi.sutter@nbcuni.com.