Ald. Sawyer Leads Vigil for Fallen Simeon Star Ben Benji Wilson

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Ben "Benji" Wilson grew up in the Chatham neighborhood and rose as a force to be reckoned with on Simeons basketball team of whom he led to a state title in 1984.
Ben "Benji" Wilson grew up in the Chatham neighborhood and rose as a force to be reckoned with on Simeons basketball team of whom he led to a state title in 1984.

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(L-R) Jennifer Winfrey and Sonya Watkins, former classmates of Ben Wilson light candles in his memory. Credit: Abbrea Stiffend

On Nov. 21, friends, family and supporters gathered in Cole Park located at 365 E. 85th St. for a candlelight vigil to remember Ben Benji Wilson, former Simeon Career Academy basketball star who was gunned down in a senseless act of violence 27 years ago.

Wilson grew up in the Chatham neighborhood and rose as a major force to be reckoned with on Simeons then basketball team of whom he led to a state title in 1984. Wilson was also the first basketball player in Chicago history to be crowned as the number one high school basketball player in the nation.

On Nov. 21, 1984, just days after securing a full basketball scholarship to the University of Illinois, Wilson was gunned down blocks away from Simeon, by a gang member whom he accidentally bumped into on the street. Appropriately, the vigils underlying message focused on solutions to ending violence in the community.

During the memorial, attendees and family members reminisced about Wilson, remembering the person he was on and off the court.

Simeon was his school, but Cole Park was his home, said Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th ward) who led the dedication. Ald. Sawyer also discussed creating a stationary memorial in the Chatham area to honor the legacy of Wilson.

Former teammate of Wilsons, Ervin Small, who also helped organize the vigil with Wilsons brothers, gathered approximately 100 supporters to Cole Parks basketball court where the fallen basketball star often played.

We must make a change, we have to love one another as we love ourselves, said Small.

Simeons current basketball coach, Bob Smith also attended and spoke words of encouragement to the crowd on behalf Wilson.

Currently, Ben Benji Wilson is the subject of a new ESPN documentary.

By: Abbra Stiffend

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