Darren Brooks Named New UCHS Girls Varsity Basketball Coach

In a change from a previous announcement earlier this summer, The School District of University City is excited to announce that Darren Brooks will lead the University City High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team as its head coach.

Coach Brooks is a former standout basketball player for Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). A former NBA prospect, Brooks played in NBA Development and Summer leagues and worked out with numerous professional teams and leagues in the United States, Germany and Poland. He is returning to the area after eight years of middle and high school coaching and teaching in Texas.

A graduate of Jennings High School, Brooks went on to SIUC to win dozens of honors and awards, including being voted into the SIU Hall of Fame in 2011, SIU Men’s Basketball All-Century Team in 2014 and Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Hall of Fame in 2018.

He is the founder and owner of Brooks Basketball Academy for emerging players in grades K-8. A certified teacher, Brooks holds an MA in Education from Lindenwood University. Coach Brooks will also serve as a well-being specialist at University City High School.

“We are excited to welcome Coach Brooks back to St. Louis and into the U. City Schools athletics community. He is an amazing competitor and outstanding athlete with years of experience coaching and educating youth,” said Athletic Director Matt Brooks. “We are looking forward to a strong season for our girls under his leadership and commitment to athletic excellence.”

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