Detroit's Cody High School wins $20,000 in sports equipment

Cody High School wins contest between several Detroit public high schools

DETROIT – Cody High School in Detroit won $20,000 worth of sports equipment as the first-place winner of a contest between several Detroit public high schools.

The "Let's Play Detroit Challenge," initiative is in partnership with McDonald's and Good Sports. The contest was held back in October and called for the public high schools to make a video with the "For the Love of the Game" theme. Cody High School made a video highlighting their sports and students and received the most public votes. New equipment including basketballs, agility ladders, mitts, and bats were presented to the students Friday afternoon in a surprise unveiling.

Antonio Baker, athletic director of Cody High School, said the school was in need of new equipment.

"When the basketball team says they need new jerseys, when the track team says we need some things like agility poles and parachutes and more things, those things strike a chord with me," he said.

The students said the new equipment means a lot to them because a lot of their equipment was out of date.

"We need equipment so we don't hurt ourselves. We need new jerseys so we can be a team as one," said Zyaire Gardner, a senior at Cody High School who plays football and runs track.

"Everything is falling apart so it's good that they came out here and looked out for us," said Diamond Jones, a junior and cheerleader at the high school.

The students had the chance to try out the new equipment after the unveiling.

"I really feel like we should be considered one of the best high schools in the city, not just academically, but athletically, and that's what all of us up here are striving for us to become," said Baker.

Gardner said he's learned a lot from participating in high school sports and believes with the new equipment, their teams can be more successful. 

"The coaches and the environment changed me. I just feel like I've become a leader. We value our sports. We really cherish what we do and for us to win this, it gives us determination that we can win every sport we can play," said Gardner.

Western International High School got second place in the contest and received $15,000 in sports equipment. Osborn High School, Detroit International Academy for Women and Frederick Douglas Academy for Young Men each received $5,000 in sports equipment for placing third, fourth and fifth in the voting process. The schools will receive their new equipment in the coming months.

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About the Author:

Koco joined the Local 4 News team in September of 2016. She was born and raised in Metro Detroit, attended Central Michigan University, and previously worked at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids.