A Lifetime of Service—Now Focused on Today’s Students
Read more: Community First: Mike Dudley Sr. Rallies Garfield Heights for Student ScholarshipsOn March 17, 2025, longtime Garfield Heights resident, former Garfield Heights City Council President Pro Tem and community advocate Mike Dudley Sr. stood before the Board of Education to champion a simple but powerful idea: use the city’s love of basketball to fund scholarships for graduating seniors.
Mike still laces up for a pickup game whenever he can. “None of my sons could beat me one-on-one back in the day,” he joked, drawing warm smiles from the board. But the heart of his message was serious: too many Garfield Heights students miss out on college-grant programs available to their peers in neighboring districts.
The Proposal: Parents vs. Bulldogs Charity Game
Mike outlined a plan—already backed by Coach Sonny Johnson—to host a community-versus-staff basketball game in the high-school gym.
Key details he presented:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Generate scholarship funds ($500–$1,000 micro-grants) for Garfield Heights seniors |
| Players | Local parents & alumni vs. Coach Johnson’s hand-picked squad |
| Starting pledges | $5,000 from a private donor; commitments from one business and a push from another in the total over $10,000 |
| Administration | Funds go directly through the district—no nonprofit overhead, every dollar to students |
| Timeline | Targeting the 2025–26 school year (so this year’s graduates still benefit) |
Why It Matters
- Fills a Funding Gap – Students in Garfield Heights lack certain CMSD-style college grants. A grassroots pot of $10,000+ can cover books, fees, or housing deposits.
- Re-engages Parents – “We’ve lost some of the parent involvement we once had,” Mike reminded the board. Putting moms and dads on the court turns spectators into stakeholders.
- Strengthens Community Trust – After years of fiscal challenges, a high-energy, feel-good event can rebuild confidence in local schools and show students that adults have their backs.
A Call to (Friendly) Arms
Mike’s parting wish? “Let’s make this game happen—I want to talk a little trash to Coach Johnson while we raise money for the kids.”
If you’re a parent, business owner, or alumnus willing to:
- Play on the community team
- Sponsor the event (scholarship naming rights available)
- Volunteer on game day
please email mdudleysr@gmail.com or call 216-324-7661.
Together we can turn a friendly rivalry into life-changing opportunities for Garfield Heights graduates.
Article by the MikeDudleySr.com team — “Community solutions, one neighborhood at a time.”
