The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Classic National Basketball Shoot-Out was created nine years ago by Coach Dorothy L. Gaters. The purpose of this event was to honor Dr. King through wholesome competition. It is held each year on the week-end of Dr. King's Birthday (the third Monday in January).
Coach Gaters has the distinction of being the winningest coach in the State of Illinois with 907 career victories. She has also won eight State Championships with more than twenty state finishes. She is a member of five Hall of Fames including the Women's Basketball Coaches Association in Nashville Tennessee. She was also honored by former President Bill Clinton at a White House Ceremony for her work with youth. Marshall High School has produced 18 high school All-Americans and five WNBA Players including former Rutgers Big East Player of the Year Cappie Pondexter. Cappie is also a three time WNBA All-Star, WNBA Champion and MVP from the Phoenix Mercury and the MVP of the European League. In the summer of 2008 she was a member of the U.S. Olympic Women's Basketball Team that won the Gold Medal in Beijing, China.
The Marshall Boys and Girls have the distinction of winning the 2008 3A Basketball Championship. This is only the second time in the history of the Illinois High School Association that this has occurred. Sports Illustrated picked Marshall at number 13th in the Nation for its sports programs.
The MLK Dream Classic has grown each year in national recognition. The Classic started with ten girl's teams in 2001: The 2010 classic will feature 66 teams: 64 traditional high school teams and two elementary teams. Eddie Oliver from HoopsUSA.com calls it "one of the best events in the country". Hundreds of boys and girls will compete; every team will have one or more outstanding player(s). A phenomenal and energetic drum line will perform on Saturday, January 16th.
The Honorable Congressman Danny K. Davis has assisted Coach Gaters by raising funds in support of this event. "Many people think of Dorothy Gaters as an outstanding athlete and coach, indeed she is the best among the best. Helping her with the MLK Dream Classic has given me the opportunity to see first hand what a great philosopher and teacher that she is. I encourage every family to come out and participate in this event, bring everybody: you'll enjoy it."