Oakland

Oakland Celebrates McClymonds’ Second Consecutive State Championship

Published

8 years ago

January 26, 2018

Players and coaches of the McClymonds High School Warriors football team rode through the streets of Oakland Friday, Jan. 19 to celebrate their historic California State Championship. This was their second championship in a row.

The group, which included cheerleaders, school staff and other supporters, toured the western half of the city passing by more than a dozen OUSD elementary and middle schools.

A double-decker bus, two trolleys and a handful of cars wound their way through Downtown Oakland, into Jack London Square and past Lake Merritt.

At numerous schools, students and staff had gathered outside to cheer on the team and show their appreciation for the Warriors’ remarkable accomplishment. Players returned the favor by throwing championship t-shirts into the crowds that had gathered.

Following the tour, a rally was held on the McClymonds campus in West Oakland After about two hours, the trolleys arrived back at McClymonds for the rally.

Numerous state and local leaders gathered to congratulate the players and their coaches, including State Assemblyman Rob Bonta, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Oakland City Councilwoman Lynette Gibson McElhaney, OUSD Board of Education Vice President Jumoke Hinton Hodge and Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell.

Also speaking were Oakland Athletic League Commissioner Alphonso Powell, Student Program for Academic and Athletic Transitioning (SPAAT) Executive Director Harold Pearson, McClymonds Principal Jarod Scott and McClymonds Assistant Principal Cleveland McKinney.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee sent a statement and also spoke on the floor of Congress Friday morning commending the team.

Superintendent Johnson-Trammell told the players how proud the district is of all their hard work.

The comparison between the Golden State Warriors and the McClymonds Warriors was not lost on the crowd. The two Oakland-based teams share the same nickname, and each has won two championships.

The Oakland Athletics have started a fundraiser to help the team gather money to help pay for equipment and their championship rings. To donate, go to www.youcaring.com/mackfootball.