The New Hub City League Marks a New Athletic Era in Compton
By Marbella Washington-Allen
Inaugural Hub City League Football Media Day Signals a Bright Future for Compton Unified Athletics
The inaugural Hub City League Football Media Day on August 6 signaled that high school athletics in Compton are entering a new era.
Hosted at Compton High School, the event featured top student-athletes from Compton, Centennial, Dominguez, and Compton Early College high schools, as well as Cabrillo High School in Long Beach Unified.
The morning opened with the Compton High School Band and remarks from district leadership. The focus then shifted to student-athletes, who were interviewed, photographed, and given a platform to speak about their athletic achievements, academics, and future goals.
Those invited to attend the inaugural Media Day quickly discovered that this was about much more than football. This was the unveiling of a new gateway of opportunity—one designed to place greater opportunities within reach and put new keys to the future into the hands of Compton’s student-athletes.
At the center of that opportunity is the Hub City League, part of the SoCal Legacy Association—a partnership between Compton Unified and Long Beach Unified designed to strengthen athletic programs, improve competitive balance, and expand opportunities for student-athletes.
City Pride Magazine and the Hub City Reporter received an exclusive invitation and conducted multiple interviews throughout the event. Three voices stood out: Compton Unified School District Board of Trustees President Micah Ali, district administrator Ja Maiia Bond, and Centennial High School Principal Dr. Bobby Walker.
Together, their perspectives revealed years of planning, vision, and commitment behind what the public witnessed that morning.
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Micah Ali: A Vision Built Over Decades
For Mr. Ali, the Hub City League reflects a lifelong commitment to public service that was shaped long before his tenure on the school board began. Raised in a family where public service was not just encouraged but expected, Ali’s path into educational leadership was not forced or manufactured—it was a natural extension of who he has always been.
From an early age, he was drawn to civic engagement, developing a deep understanding of how communities function and how leadership can shape opportunity. Those early experiences laid the foundation for nearly two decades of service on the Compton Unified School District Board of Trustees.
Even before his formal leadership role, Mr. Ali demonstrated a rare ability to bring people together, build coalitions, and translate vision into action. That same instinct has defined his leadership ever since.
“You can tell a community by its commitment to public education,” Mr. Ali said, adding a guiding question he has carried throughout his service: How does what we do improve the quality of life for everyone?
For Mr. Ali, the Hub City League is another answer to that question—expanding opportunities for Compton student-athletes to compete, gain exposure, and pursue futures beyond high school.
His leadership has also extended into major district efforts, including the rebuilding of Compton High School and Centennial High School.
What began as early civic involvement has grown into nearly two decades of school board leadership, with the Hub City League now standing as another extension of that vision.
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Giving Student-Athletes a Professional Platform
Ja Maiia Bond, Senior Director of Child Welfare, Attendance & Pupil Services at Compton Unified School District, played a vital role in creating the Hub City League and organizing Media Day. Ms. Bond also brought a unique perspective as a former athlete.
A former USC basketball player and member of a championship team, Ms. Bond understands firsthand the discipline, preparation, and environment required for student-athletes to succeed.
Her commitment to students also extends well beyond athletics. In June 2026, Ms. Bond received the inaugural Community Service Award for her work in student wellness and mental health support.
That standard of commitment to the whole student was reflected throughout the event.
Determined not to take all the credit, Ms. Bond also acknowledged an important figure who had been working behind the scenes to help transform the vision into reality. Christopher Calvin, Compton Unified School District’s Coordinator of Interscholastic Sports, played an instrumental role in navigating the complex process of bringing the district’s schools together to form the Hub City League. His work helped create a structure designed not simply to reorganize Compton athletics, but to give more student-athletes and entire programs a legitimate pathway to league titles, playoff appearances and CIF championships.
Media Day carried the feel of a high-level athletic showcase typically seen in more affluent communities.
But this was Compton.
And Compton student-athletes were receiving what Mr. Ali, Ms. Bond, and Dr. Walker all emphasized: a professional platform, increased visibility, and validation that their work matters.
Several athletes are already highly regarded prospects. Some have Division I offers, others are drawing major college interest, and many maintain GPAs of 4.0 or higher.
The Hub City League expands that visibility. A college coach may come to evaluate one standout athlete and leave impressed by several more.
For Centennial, that exposure arrives at a critical moment.
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Centennial: Rebuilding While Advancing
Centennial enters the Hub City League while its campus is under reconstruction and students are temporarily displaced.
Principal Dr. Bobby Walker, who has led the school for approximately seven years, credits his staff for maintaining strong student engagement and ensuring many students remain connected to the school community.
Despite the transition, Centennial closed last year with strong athletic and academic results. Student-athletes advanced deep into CIF competition, maintained high GPAs, and continued attracting Division I attention.
Three athletes highlight that success: Magic Haynes, Vionte Peoples, and Princess Clifton.
Haynes has committed to Arizona State University. Peoples continues to draw college interest in football and track and field. Clifton competes in girls flag football and track and field while holding an impressive 4.3 GPA.
Their achievements also reflect strong coaching leadership. Head Football Coach Dwayne Smith leads the football program, while Coach Pula guides the girls’ flag football program. Together with school leadership, they continue preparing students for opportunities beyond high school.
Dr. Walker noted Centennial’s strong relationship with the South Bay Athletic Association and views the Hub City League and SoCal Legacy Association as an added opportunity.
Dr. Walker described the new league as “icing on the cake.”
Even as construction continues, Centennial’s academic standards, athletic identity, and student commitment remain steady.
But perhaps Dr. Walker’s most important statement that morning came when he was asked how the media could support Centennial and its student-athletes.
His answer was simple:
“Please keep showing up.”
Those four words could easily become the message for the entire Hub City League.
Because showing up should not be limited to the media.
It means parents showing up. Alumni showing up. Teachers and faculty showing up. Local businesses showing up. Community leaders showing up. Former athletes showing up. And most importantly, Compton residents showing up.
Our student-athletes are doing their part.
Now they need to look out at the stands and see that their community is doing its part, too.
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This Is Bigger Than a League — Just Show Up
The Hub City League creates expanded opportunities for competition, exposure, and recruiting visibility while giving more student-athletes a chance to be seen.
Compton already has elite talent earning recognition, and that success can open doors for others.
But building a successful league requires more than administrators, coaches, and talented athletes.
It requires a community behind them.
The Hub City League represents an opportunity for Compton to demonstrate what Mr. Ali said: you can tell a community by its commitment to public education.
Here is an opportunity to demonstrate that commitment.
Come to the games.
Support the athletes.
Support the coaches.
Support the schools.
Bring your children. Bring your neighbors. Bring fellow alumni.
Fill the stands.
Because when young people look into those stands, they should see more than empty seats. They should see a community that believes in them.
August 6 marked the introduction.
What comes next will depend not only on the athletes, coaches and administrators who have worked to create this opportunity, but also on the community that stands behind them.
And perhaps the most powerful message to come out of the inaugural Hub City League Football Media Day was also the simplest.
When Dr. Bobby Walker was asked what the media could do to support Centennial and its student-athletes, his response became a message that reaches far beyond the media—to parents, alumni, educators, businesses, community leaders and every citizen who believes in Compton’s young people:
“Just show up.”
