U.S. District Court Recognizes State Champion East St. Louis Flyers

On December 16, 2016, the East St. Louis Flyers football team was welcomed to the United States District Courthouse in East St. Louis for a reception to recognize the team’s outstanding 14-0 state championship season. "The United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois and its affiliated agencies today proudly recognized the extraordinary accomplishment of the East St. Louis Flyers football team in their undefeated 2016 season which culminated in them being crowned Class 7A state champions," said Chief Judge Michael J. Reagan. A congratulatory reception was held in Judge Reagan’s courtroom, and Judge Reagan and other representatives of the courthouse family commended the players on their incredible achievement. Each player received a certificate from the Court, and then the group adjourned to the jury assembly room for a lunch of pizza and soft drinks.

United States Magistrate Judge Donald G. Wilkerson, a "proud graduate" of East St. Louis High School said, "We are proud of the East St. Louis football team, and we know that this is only the first of many great things to come for them."

"This was a great opportunity to highlight a championship season by the Flyers football team and an example of something really positive in the community in East St. Louis," said United States Attorney, Donald S. Boyce. "Thanks to Judge Reagan and the District Court for hosting this event, and congratulations to all of the players. Everybody at the U.S. Attorney’s office is proud of their achievement," said Boyce.

East St. Louis won the state championship on November 26, 2016, by defeating Plainfield North 26-13. This was the Flyers’ eighth state championship but their first since 2008.

In addition to Chief Judge Reagan and Magistrate Judge Wilkerson, speakers at the reception included Judge Laura K. Grandy from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, and representatives from the U.S. Probation Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Public Defender’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

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