Parent Raises Concerns Over Boys Basketball Jerseys at Mance Park Middle School After Comparing Teams
AthleteSuruchiFebruary 6, 2026
This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on February 6, 2026
A concerned parent at Mance Park Middle School (MPMS), Tai’Shea Butler Hyde, recently sparked a conversation that has parents and community members questioning the school district’s priorities when it comes to student-athlete uniforms.
After attending an end-of-year basketball tournament, Hyde made an observation that has raised concerns about the quality of uniforms provided to the school’s 7th-grade boys’ basketball team.
Hyde said:
“There’s been a lot of 7th-grade girls’ basketball coverage on the MPMS page, but it wasn’t until their end-of-year tournaments that I truly looked at the pictures and realized the 7th-grade girls have better jerseys.”
Tai’Shea Bulter HydeShe added:
“7B and 7A boys wear jerseys that look like mesh practice jerseys. When we’re warming up on the floor, we look bad. We look like we are going to be horribly beat every game, which thankfully isn’t the case. Everyone else strolls in like a JV team with actual nice jerseys and warm-up shirts.”
Hyde was quick to clarify that this wasn’t a complaint about the boys’ performance on the court but rather about the perception the uniforms create.
“It’s not about the boys playing well. It’s about how we are presenting them as a school and district,” she added.
“MPMS, HISD should be embarrassed letting our kids represent their school dressed the way they are.”
The conversation quickly gained attention, with other parents and community members chiming in with their thoughts.
Some, like Amiya Atiunna Lynn Bennett, suggested that the boys’ coaches reach out to the high school coaches to discuss funding allocations for MPMS.
“If there are funds available, they can purchase new uniforms,” Bennett noted, explaining that the girls’ basketball team was able to upgrade their jerseys with the help of high school coaches and a coordinated effort across the district.
Brooke Ashely Thomas shared her experience with fundraising at her previous school, Waller ISD, where the 7th-grade team raised over $25,000 for new uniforms.
“I don’t know if Huntsville does anything like that, but they should,” Thomas said.
However, Lorne Johnson pointed out that the disparity in uniforms may also stem from budgetary constraints.
“I’m almost certain it has to do with equality in sports and how much money is allocated to each gender. But I agree with you, the uniforms could be better,” he said.
Despite his acknowledgment of budgetary limitations, Johnson encouraged parents to push for change, adding, “I do think they probably could do better.”
Hyde, who is on the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and actively involved in school events, expressed frustration that this issue hadn’t been addressed sooner by the district.
“It’s not my desire to push this, but it’s something I noticed when we played at a tournament in College Station. Every other team looked great, even small Navasota, and Huntsville was there in our practice jerseys,” Hyde said.
“This isn’t about venting—it’s about the fact that Huntsville could do better. The boys don’t care about their jerseys, but I care about the image of our school. The community deserves better than this.”
In addition to fundraising suggestions, other parents like Mike Laureles recommended creating a booster club to raise money for new uniforms.
However, Hyde reiterated that while fundraising could help, the district should be the one to take responsibility for outfitting its student-athletes in appropriate gear.
“It shouldn’t fall to parents. If it bothered the boys, I would care more, but it doesn’t,” she explained. “This is about representation, and Huntsville should want better.”
Several parents pointed out that this issue was not unique to MPMS. Shaquita Smith shared that the girls’ jerseys were upgraded this year, thanks to their coach, but it was a rare exception.
“The girls hardly get anything when it comes to their sports,” Smith said. “They were lucky their coach could upgrade their jerseys this year.”
The conversation also brought up the idea of consistency in school sports programs.
Other parents noted that even the high school teams in the district often wear mismatched jerseys from previous years, adding to the sense of inequity.
“We already pay $200 for them to play, so why not just have us pay $350 and get a good set of jerseys that they can keep after the season?” said one parent, Jeremiah Lee Griffin, who shared frustrations about the state of high school jerseys.
Chantie LaTrease, a former MPMS coach, provided some context about the girls’ jerseys. “They were handed down from the high school, and we kept them in good condition,” she explained. “Someone had good taste when they ordered them!”
However, despite the efforts to keep the jerseys in top shape, parents like Jeremy Jr. Nellum Sr. and Aronda Smith Wheeler continued to voice concerns over the boys’ uniforms, calling them “cheap” compared to what other schools are able to provide.
“It’s definitely embarrassing that our boys have to wear such cheap uniforms,” Wheeler said.
Hyde wrapped up the conversation by emphasizing the importance of school pride.
“The season is over, and the boys had a good season. This isn’t about venting. This is about making an observation that Huntsville should want better,” she concluded.
“If it was important to them, they would’ve changed it themselves.”
The conversation highlights an ongoing issue with resource allocation at Mance Park Middle School and within Huntsville Independent School District (HISD) athletics.
As the conversation continues to grow, it serves as a reminder that community involvement and school pride are key to ensuring that all student-athletes are provided with the necessary tools to succeed, both on and off the court.
SuruchiSuruchi is a business management student with a strong passion for writing, particularly when it comes to sports. She loves creating articles and blogs that explore various aspects of the sports world. With a curious mind and a love for both academics and creativity, she constantly seeks to expand her knowledge and share her insights through her writing.
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