ORDINANCE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO;
SECTION I. Pursuant to an ordinance heretofore passed by the City Council which allows erection of honorary street-name signs, the Commissioner of Transportation shall take the necessary action for standardization ofthe 6000 block of South Melvina Avenue as "Big Tom Way."
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon its passage and publication.
MARTY QUINN U Alderman, 13th Ward
Biography
Thomas F. Markham Jr. was born on the Fourth of July in 1957; fireworks ignited the beginning of a spectacular and influential life. Tom grew up on the Southwest Side of Chicago where he turned to sports not only as a hobby but also as a lifestyle. His family later moved to the town of Cicero. He graduated from Grimes School and received a sports scholarship to attend De LaSalle High School lo play football. This gave him a chance to succeed in ways he would not have been able to otherwise. He played wide receiver and tight end; Northern Michigan University recognized his ability and offered him a full scholarship to become a NMU Wildcat alongside his life-long friend, Brian Hickey.
Markham's love for sports did not end there. As an adult, he played 16-inch softball and was an avid bowler. However, his biggest sports accomplishment was that of Coach. In the year 2000, Markham began his coaching career al St. Symphorosa Catholic School in the Clearing Neighborhood. He coached basketball, baseball, and football for both of his sons with success. He and his team of coaches led the St. Syms Vikings 3rd Grade Boys' Basketball Team to their first championship in 2000 and then led the St. Syms football team to win the CGSC Junior Varsity Championship in 2003. He ended his Syms coaching career in 2006 but the values and lessons he taught on the court and the field still resonate with his players today. One player remembers him as the "most influential coach he's ever had," encouraging...
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