Shay Simon and Courtney Anderson
10 hours ago
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Parents at charter school Freedom Preparatory Academy are demanding an explanation for the elimination of its entire football program just one year after it received a $50,000 grant from the Tennessee Titans.
Parents received a letter during an emergency meeting Wednesday informing them that the middle school and high school football programs have been canceled.
“Freedom Preparatory Academy (FPA) recently made the difficult decision to restructure our athletic programs. As a result of this decision, our football programs for middle and high school students have been canceled,” a statement from Freedom Preparatory Academy read. “This decision was not made lightly and we understand the concern and disappointment it may have caused families. Our primary goal remains to support all of our student-athletes and provide diverse opportunities for them to excel both academically and athletically.”
One mother, who wanted to keep her identity secret to protect her middle school-aged son, aired her frustrations.
“It was heartbreaking to see grown men crying, teachers crying, older boys crying,” she said.
NewsNation affiliate WREG reported in April 2023 that the Tennessee Titans awarded the school a $50,000 direct grant for football, which will include field renovations, bleachers, lighting and a scoreboard.
A year later, the mother said the main reason for the closure was financial issues.
“They called us into a meeting and said they were closing the football team because they were $100,000 in debt,” she said. “I want them to understand where the funds were going.”
In a statement sent Thursday, Freedom Prep Academy said the program was not taking on $100,000 in debt, adding that the move was “to ensure sustainability by distributing resources equitably across all programs, including athletics, arts and academics.”
Former coach Desmond King showed WREG recent photos of the field, and King says no improvements have been made.
“This is more than just a game. The boys are looking forward to this,” King said. “A lot of the boys don't have father figures at home, so the coaches become their mentors. My son is looking forward to going to school too.”
Freedom Prep Academy confirmed that renovations to the field are not complete and said it has “not received any refundable funds from the NFL Foundation to date.”
Parents say they plan to consider their options over the summer holidays.
