Blog – College Sports Against Racism
30 College Sports Voices against Racism
By Christopher Aumueller
The right words can empower, encourage and galvanize countless souls to take a stand against the most harrowing issues.
But what are the right words?
What are the right words when turning on the television and seeing a black man murdered in broad daylight? What are the right words when it’s 2020, and the cries of the oppressed often continue to go unheard? What are the right words when a country that prides itself on freedom and social equality is still plagued by the plight of racial injustice?
There is no perfect collection of words to make sense of a world where a person is discriminated against because of the color of their skin. However, there is one word that we believe illuminates one of the only real roads to change: Empathy.
Ongoing issues have forced people from all walks of life to take a step back and view life from a broader scope. Industry leaders all over the world are speaking out in support of the oppressed.
In sports, we see many athletes, teams, and brands like Nike and Adidas come together and unite for the greater good.
In this article, we compiled 30 voices from college sports leaders that we believe found “the right words” and continue to speak up against racical injustices.
Black lives matter, today and every day.
Hopefully, some of these words inspire and spark action.
Dawn Staley
South Carolina | Head Women’s Basketball Coach
“It wears on you. It gets worse, and worse, and worse, and worse.”@GamecockWBB coach @dawnstaley is tired.
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) June 1, 2020
📝: https://t.co/n9GfrEro56 pic.twitter.com/gyq50QhFM7
Kansas Basketball
𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗐𝖾 𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍𝖾 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗀𝖾.
— Kansas Basketball (@KUHoops) June 3, 2020
• Vote
• Donate
• Educate
• Listen
• Learn
• Contribute pic.twitter.com/9yAft5ecyX
Texas Football
#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/LPhRGm86ut
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) June 5, 2020
Rob Mullens
Oregon | Athletic Director
#BEOREGON pic.twitter.com/WFcsTFcDsu
— GoDucks (@GoDucks) May 30, 2020
Trevor Lawrence
Clemson | Football Student-Athlete
There has to be a shift in the way of thinking. Rational must outweigh irrational. Justice must outweigh injustice. Love must outweigh hate.
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) May 29, 2020
If you put yourself in someone else’s shoes and you don’t like how it feels-that’s when you know things need to change.
Purdue Volleyball
It's time we 𝘢𝘭𝘭 do better.
— Purdue Volleyball (@PurdueVB) June 4, 2020
Black Lives Matter. pic.twitter.com/Qq3Y0AeASV
Dan McDonnell
Louisville | Head Baseball Coach
A message from Head Coach Dan McDonnell. pic.twitter.com/C2WYEnO24b
— Louisville Baseball (@LouisvilleBSB) May 31, 2020
Stanford Football
We can’t stay silent anymore.
— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) June 5, 2020
It’s time for change.
Black Lives Matter, today and every day. pic.twitter.com/RGBssz4Jno
Scott Stricklin
Florida | Athletic Director
“The greatest of these is LOVE.” pic.twitter.com/DliRV14o2F
— Scott Stricklin (@ScottStricklin) May 30, 2020
John Calipari
Kentucky | Head Men’s Basketball Coach
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) June 1, 2020
UCLA Women’s Gymnastics
Our hearts ache for the hurt in our country. We must address racial prejudice and violence. We must do better. The fear and danger suffered by the black community is real. Let’s educate, organize and implement plans for change. pic.twitter.com/N3ygOyrZPz
— UCLA Gymnastics (@uclagymnastics) May 31, 2020
Scott Stricklin
UMass | Athletic Director
I am an ally. Always. 🚩 pic.twitter.com/KzmyUDmqVg
— Ryan Bamford (@UMassADBamford) May 30, 2020
Tom Allen
Indiana | Head Football Coach
My heart is broken by what is going on in our country. Racial injustice is wrong and it MUST be addressed!! I Believe we are to LOVE EACH OTHER! No matter one’s skin color. Love is a choice. Our prayers are with George Floyd’s family. John 15:12 #LEO
— Coach Tom Allen (@CoachAllenIU) May 29, 2020
Joe Castiglione
Oklahoma | Athletic Director
#BlackLivesMatter #StrengthInDiversity pic.twitter.com/7Tk3zBZHSk
— Joe Castiglione (@soonerad) June 2, 2020
Chris Mack
Louisville | Head Men’s Basketball Coach
🤜🏻🤛🏾 pic.twitter.com/vkwRCJ6Uzr
— Chris Mack (@CoachChrisMack) May 31, 2020
Kevin Warren
Big Ten Conference | Commissioner
An open letter from Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren pic.twitter.com/Rw90xdMcx5
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) June 1, 2020
Tennessee Athletics
It’s time to demand change.
— Tennessee Athletics (@Vol_Sports) May 31, 2020
It’s time to demand progress.
The standard of empathy, respect and equity is one we must meet.
A unified statement from our head coaches:https://t.co/frydyzzXNT
Danny White
UCF | Athletic Director
Been struggling to find the right words... maybe they don’t exist, but here’s my best attempt... pic.twitter.com/kIk3CDNB0t
— Danny White (@UCFDannyWhite) June 1, 2020
Ohio State Student-Athletes
From the ❤️ of our Buckeye student-athletes:
— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) June 4, 2020
A call for unity and equality for all. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/Z8ykhJRihK
Greg Sankey
Southeastern Conference | Commissioner
Statement from @SEC Commissioner @GregSankey: pic.twitter.com/YLWWCiCNyF
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) June 3, 2020
Damon Evans
Maryland | Athletic Director
Today, and every day forward, we must stand together, steadfast and fearless, and lead the change. I am guided by a relentless belief that all of us, together as Terps, can be a force in the dismantling of injustice in our society. #OneMaryland pic.twitter.com/75OQPfoRci
— Damon Evans (@Evans_TerpsAD) June 1, 2020
Sandy Barbour
Penn State | Athletic Director
We Are ... ONETEAM pic.twitter.com/trEB4tVCB7
— Sandy Barbour (@SandyB_PSUAD) May 31, 2020
Keith Carter
Ole Miss | Athletic Director
We can be better, we can do more, we can love one another. 🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/gyNLZox5pf
— Keith Carter (@KeithCarterOM) May 31, 2020
