Hazel Crest School District 152½
Bucky Irving and Coach Napier holding the Jesse White Wildcats regional championship trophy
Hazel Crest School District 152½ celebrates Bucky Irving

From
Hazel Crest
to the NFL

Before the bright lights of Tampa Bay, Bucky’s story began here in Hazel Crest. We celebrate the hometown roots, school community, and hard work behind his journey to the NFL.

SundayNovember 8, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
at Chicago Bears
7:20 PM CT
His story starts here

Hazel Crest
beginnings.

Bucky Irving’s journey is part of Hazel Crest’s story. Here at Hazel Crest School District 152½, he played basketball for the Jesse White Wildcats. That was an early chapter before Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills, where he excelled in football and basketball. We celebrate the family, educators, coaches, teammates, and neighbors who encourage our students to imagine what is possible.

JWJesse White Wildcats basketball • HCSD 152½
3,264Career rushing yards at Hillcrest
587Receiving yards at Hillcrest
From Hazel Crest to the league

A hometown
journey.

A Hazel Crest beginning. A high school standout. A college star. An NFL running back. The community is proud to see Bucky’s journey keep growing.

Roots

Jesse White Wildcats. Bucky played basketball here at Hazel Crest School District 152½, representing the Wildcats before continuing his journey at Hillcrest High School.

2016

Regional champions. Bucky’s Jesse White Wildcats team won a regional championship, an early team achievement to celebrate.

2018

At Hillcrest High School. The Hawks reach the state semifinals during Irving’s junior year.

2019

Recognition follows. Irving earns All-State honors and South Suburban Conference Player of the Year as a high school senior.

2021–23

College football. He begins at Minnesota, then continues his college career at Oregon.

2024

Next stop: Tampa Bay. Irving joins the Buccaneers and takes his place among the NFL’s newest running backs.

Hazel Crest is cheering • Sunday night

Welcome home, Bucky.

When Tampa Bay meets Chicago, Hazel Crest School District 152½ joins the hometown celebration. From Hazel Crest beginnings to Hillcrest High School and now the Buccaneers, we are proud of you.

Hazel Crest • 152½
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