South Side elementary school renamed 'Minnie Minoso Academy' in tribute to White Sox legend

Chicago school renamed in tribute to White Sox legend

Southpaw got down at a back-to-school bash, and it was no coincidence why he was there. A South Side elementary school, which is a short walk to Guaranteed Rate Field, is celebrating its new name.

CHICAGO - There are just four days until Chicago Public Schools kicks off the new school year, and on Thursday, many students were already at school to meet their new teachers and classmates for back-to-school bashes.

And at one elementary school in Bridgeport, leaders marked history with a very special name change. The former McClellan Elementary has been renamed Minnie Minoso Academy after the White Sox legend.

"I can't tell you what an honor it is to have this beautiful school and this fixture in the community be named after my late father," said Minoso's son, Charlie Rice Minoso, at the ceremony. "I know Dad would be thrilled and humbled himself if he were still with us today."

Minnie Minoso Academy sits just blocks away from the ballpark where Minoso broke the color barrier in 1951 as the first Black-Hispanic member of the White Sox.

Minoso went on to become a 7-time Major League Baseball and 2-time Negro Leagues All-Star.

"Like Minnie, we are proud of our diversity in our population and are so grateful for the opportunity to change our name to one that reflects our school's unique membership, pride, and greatness," said Dr. Carrie Cole, Minoso Academy Principal.

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Another back-to-school bash happened at Bishop Owen Elementary in the Ashburn neighborhood, where CPS CEO Pedro Martinez cut the ribbon on a brand-new playground, just in time for school.

Owen is one of 50 schools that got new playgrounds for this coming school year.

"You have a playground that's futurized!" said 18th Ward Alderman Derrick Curtis, who was on hand for the ribbon cutting.

The first day of class for CPS is this Monday, August 21.