Ivy League Basketball Coaches Commit To “Ivy Promise”
6/26/2020 10:05:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
All 16 of the Ancient Eight men's and women's basketball coaches released a statement, including action items to combat social injustice.
A message from the Ivy League men's and women's head basketball coaches…
We have heard our student-athletes' and communities' call to action. The anger, disappointment and hurt felt across our country in recent weeks has been eye-opening and inspired important conversations in our communities. This is how we will stand together to proceed forward on the path of making progress for humanity. This is our promise.
The Ivy Promise represents the Ivy League basketball coaches' commitment to the Black Lives Matter movement. While individually our platforms are influential, combined our platforms can be a catalyst for change. We are committed to achieving reform. We will stand against inequality and discrimination until all people are afforded the same opportunities in wages, healthcare, housing, education, and criminal justice. Together we will stand for justice, educate the people, and support our communities.
Our initial action items as a league are as follows:
Q & A with head coaches Jim Engles and Megan Griffith.
Why is the Ivy Promise important to you?
Engles: It assures that we take action on the very important issues that face our society today. One promise made by so many people becomes a powerful agent for change.
Griffith: It is more than just a statement; it is an action plan for change. Our Ivy League coaches are committing to tangible steps to fight racism and inequality while celebrating black lives and making a concerted effort to better humanity.
What does it mean to be part of a league that supports this movement?
Engles: The Ivy League is a special place in so many ways. The standard of excellence that comes with our league academically and athletically is inspiring. Our athletes can change the world. This is another example of the leadership that they exhibit on a daily basis.
Griffith: As an alum and coach, I am very proud to know that our league has united to use our collective power and be an agent of actual change. I hope that all the other conferences are doing the same.
What specific actions are you taking to hold yourself and your program accountable?
Engles: I'm very proud of our program and the steps that we are Implementing. We are constructing a calendar of actions that will take place. Not only does it include items that our team will be involved with, but also with the Columbia community as a whole. We are all excited to get started.
Griffith: Everyone in our program is educating themselves on voting. We have pledged to vote on the local, state and national levels. We are crafting a partnership with a local Harlem youth organization so that our team can serve as mentors and leaders. We are having daily and weekly conversations to educate, listen and share with our immediate team and alumni community. Several members of our team have peacefully protested in Columbus, Ohio, Iowa City, Iowa, and Washington, D.C. Our student-athletes have been part of creating an Instagram handle called Dribbling4Justice to bring collegiate athletes together to advocate for change. Personally, I am part of Columbia's Diversity Inclusion Committee and donating to the Columbia Neighbors Food Relief Fund.
We have heard our student-athletes' and communities' call to action. The anger, disappointment and hurt felt across our country in recent weeks has been eye-opening and inspired important conversations in our communities. This is how we will stand together to proceed forward on the path of making progress for humanity. This is our promise.
The Ivy Promise represents the Ivy League basketball coaches' commitment to the Black Lives Matter movement. While individually our platforms are influential, combined our platforms can be a catalyst for change. We are committed to achieving reform. We will stand against inequality and discrimination until all people are afforded the same opportunities in wages, healthcare, housing, education, and criminal justice. Together we will stand for justice, educate the people, and support our communities.
Our initial action items as a league are as follows:
- As the head coaches of Ivy League Basketball, we will use our status and privilege to be vocal advocates for equality for all.
- When possible, our programs will buy from local black and minority owned businesses to help uplift our communities economically and decrease the wealth gap.
- Our coaches and student-athletes will not only participate in All Vote No Play on November 3, but also use our voting power in local and state elections because that is where topics like criminal justice reform begin.
- We will use our games on MLK Day and during Black History Month in February to avidly celebrate Black history and Black excellence.
- Each Ivy League basketball team will donate to and volunteer with the local organizations that are working to address the specific needs of our community.
Q & A with head coaches Jim Engles and Megan Griffith.
Why is the Ivy Promise important to you?
Engles: It assures that we take action on the very important issues that face our society today. One promise made by so many people becomes a powerful agent for change.
Griffith: It is more than just a statement; it is an action plan for change. Our Ivy League coaches are committing to tangible steps to fight racism and inequality while celebrating black lives and making a concerted effort to better humanity.
What does it mean to be part of a league that supports this movement?
Engles: The Ivy League is a special place in so many ways. The standard of excellence that comes with our league academically and athletically is inspiring. Our athletes can change the world. This is another example of the leadership that they exhibit on a daily basis.
Griffith: As an alum and coach, I am very proud to know that our league has united to use our collective power and be an agent of actual change. I hope that all the other conferences are doing the same.
What specific actions are you taking to hold yourself and your program accountable?
Engles: I'm very proud of our program and the steps that we are Implementing. We are constructing a calendar of actions that will take place. Not only does it include items that our team will be involved with, but also with the Columbia community as a whole. We are all excited to get started.
Griffith: Everyone in our program is educating themselves on voting. We have pledged to vote on the local, state and national levels. We are crafting a partnership with a local Harlem youth organization so that our team can serve as mentors and leaders. We are having daily and weekly conversations to educate, listen and share with our immediate team and alumni community. Several members of our team have peacefully protested in Columbus, Ohio, Iowa City, Iowa, and Washington, D.C. Our student-athletes have been part of creating an Instagram handle called Dribbling4Justice to bring collegiate athletes together to advocate for change. Personally, I am part of Columbia's Diversity Inclusion Committee and donating to the Columbia Neighbors Food Relief Fund.
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