MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee paused to honor a hometown hero whose impact reached far beyond the soccer field. A new mural and stadium ribbon cutting celebrated the life and legacy of the late Jimmy Banks.
On a warm June morning, the laughter of soccer kids filled the air at the newly named Jimmy Banks Memorial Stadium on Milwaukee's northwest side.
"Just seeing how many people he's impacted and the younger kids who might not necessarily know him," said Jordan Banks, Jimmy's youngest son.
Jordan, Tia and Alex all know the impact of Jimmy Banks.
"Just a very surreal feeling," Jordan Banks said.
Jordan wears the number 4 to honor his dad.
"My dad's legacy is more than him being a great father, it's him being a great friend, a great brother, great coach and great player," Jordan Banks said.
Family, friends, city leaders, and community members gathered to unveil a vibrant new mural in Banks' honor — a tribute not only to his achievements but to his lasting influence on generations of Milwaukee youth.
Watch: Milwaukee honors soccer legend Jimmy Banks with new mural and stadium dedication
"His legacy reaches deep into the heart of the lives he touched," said Tia Richardson, the local artist who designed the mural.
Richardson captured not just Banks' athletic achievements but also his role as a mentor and advocate for equity in sports.
"His commitment to working with young people to draw out their potential really spoke to me," Richardson said.
Jimmy Banks, a Milwaukee native, former U.S. National Team player, and beloved coach, dedicated his life to opening doors for young players of color. He was the first African American to captain the U.S. Men's National Team, representing the country at the 1990 World Cup before returning home to inspire local youth.
"The best part of the story for me is his intentionality — coming back to Milwaukee. After he went to the World Cup and was notable, he could've lived anywhere he wanted to — he had the finances to live anywhere in the world. He intentionally came back to Milwaukee to pay it forward," said Alex Erdmann, College Career Advisor for Milwaukee Public Schools.
As the mural gleams with color, attendees were reminded that Jimmy Banks' legacy isn't just painted on a wall — it lives on in every young player stepping onto this field.
"It's more than being a great player on the field, it's being a great person off the field," Jordan Banks said.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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