Youth Sports League's Hurdles

The Monroe City Academy League (MCAL) is a youth sports league provided by The Academy Fitness & Sports LLC and Free Me Association. The purpose of the league is to provide constructive physical sports activities for youth in the city of Monroe, specifically offering safe after-school activities. The league provides football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, and cheer to youth ages 5-12. The organization hopes the teams will be able to practice at six community centers operated by the city of Monroe. The league also provides after-school enrichment to all athletes that practice at the six community centers. After initially meeting with city officials in hopes of using the rec centers, Tyree Hollins, an executive with the new league, feels the city has blindsided them with a sudden policy change. Hollins said that a proposal meeting to start a partnership was held on May 17, 2021 at Emily P. Robinson Rec Center. Present at the meeting was Monroe City Parks and Recreation Director Patience Talley and each community center supervisor. According to Hollins, the partnership was not initially welcomed by certain city officials. Although the city would continue to run their staff/league through the city schools, Hollins said his group was given permission to use the community centers. Operation agreements were signed by community center supervisors on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. Shortly after, Hollins said that they started placing their registration forms in the community centers. On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, city of Monroe officials led by Director of Communications Michelli Martin, Director of Community Affairs Doug Seegers, Director of Beautification of Parks and Recreation Ray Wright, Patience Talley, and District 4 Councilman Carday Marshall, according to Hollins, called an unexpected emergency meeting with MCAL staff at Marbles Rec Center.

The meeting was portrayed positively as if the partnership would continue to move forward. Still, soon after the unexpected meeting, in the words of Mrs. Martin, a statement was shared stating, "From the office of Mayor Ellis - we're going to figure this thing out. We need to make sure this partnership works, that there is no reason for two leagues splitting resources when we could be one league. What do you want from us? We are going to meet with legal and get back with you about making this thing happen."

It is alleged that Seegers and Wright allegedly had intentions to end them (MCAL) and take out all of their forms, saying that they can't use the city's registration or centers. Hollins said that left MCAL very perplexed since all feedback they had received had been positive since then. Since then, MCAL registration forms were taken from the rec centers by supervisors and replaced by Monroe city league forms. Another meeting was held with MCAL, and they were told that their forms were being replaced. When confronted about replacing MCAL forms, Martin allegedly said, "If you really want to talk about that, we will need to have our attorney present."

Hollins and his supporters addressed their concerns and questions before the Monroe City Council members on Tuesday, May 8, 2021. The organization questioned why their registration forms were removed and if the cooperative agreements will be honored. He also asked if there are any "non-compete" clauses for using the rec centers and, if not, why not allow competing organizations to use available rec centers. In a closing statement, MCAL said that the city is looking to unrightfully box them out of the community. The MCAL is a youth sports league with the goal to enhance youth's exposure and opportunities to affordable and easily accessible sporting activities.