Basketball Programs Focus on Black Lives Matter
Edison, N.J. (Aug. 20, 2020) – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) today announced the commencement of its MAAC United for Justice campaign. The announcement comes following the MAAC Presidents’
previous statement on racism and the recognition that lasting change comes from action from a collective movement, not a moment.
“On behalf of the MAAC presidents, I share my deep gratitude for the work being done on our campuses and beyond as our student-athletes, coaches and administrators seek to promote education for social justice and combat racial injustice,” said Niagara University President and MAAC President Rev. James J. Maher, C.M. “We know this is a long and winding road, and we are fortunate to have such an amazing group of people who are committed to becoming the change we seek for our society.”
In the 2020-21 season, the MAAC will work both internally at the conference office and with all 11 member institutions to advance and execute strategies to combat racial injustices within our society. The MAAC and its member institutions will work to address the long-standing history of systemic racism and inequality that minorities in this country have and still currently face, with a goal to educate those around us and to create substantial change in our communities.
The MAAC basketball programs have united to focus their messaging platform for the upcoming season on Black Lives Matter. Specifically, the coaches will be showcasing the Black Lives Matter messaging on warm up shirts and uniform patches.
“The MAAC is incredibly proud of its student-athletes, coaches, and administrators who are working to make an impactful and lasting change,” added MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor. “Change comes from a movement that involves an entire collective group working towards common goals and desires, not a single moment in time. A groundwork for change has been established in the MAAC, it is up to all of us involved to ensure systemic racism, violence, and oppression are brought to the forefronts of minds in our communities and that awareness is raised to bring the change we want to see in our society.”
Moving forward, the MAAC and its member institutions will continue to make conscious efforts to promote education and raise awareness of social issues. Elements of the MAAC United for Justice campaign will be found on school campuses, MAAC live game broadcasts, online, and on social media. With the input of student-athletes, coaches, and administrators, new ideas will continuously be welcomed. The MAAC and all its members are committed to making lasting change in our society.
“The conversations about social justice and racial inequality occurring within the MAAC is an important step in the right direction, and I applaud our basketball coaches for leading this effort,” said Canisius College Director of Athletics Bill Maher. “As one of 27 Jesuit Colleges and Universities in the nation, Canisius has social justice as a foundational element in both our institutional vision and in our educational curriculum. It is through this promotion of justice that our students learn to become men and women for and with others. I believe each of our 11 member institutions in the MAAC are bound by similar foundational values. Because of this, the MAAC is uniquely positioned to use this common platform as a collective voice for change in America.”
What to expect moving forward:
- MAAC and school Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC) will assist in spreading awareness of ongoing programs, beginning with the recently announced Voter Registration Initiative with a goal to ensure all student-athletes have the ability and means to exercise their right to vote come Election Day. In support of the program, student-athletes will be granted a mandatory day off from athletic activities on Nov. 3 to ensure they can exercise their right to vote.
- MAAC SAAC is also currently working on developing a Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee to add to its governance structure to give student-athletes a platform to discuss topics with conference administrators.
- For the upcoming basketball season, the MAAC will provide member schools with floor decals and digital board content that focuses on the Black Lives Matter and MAAC United for Justice messaging.
- The MAAC is committed to organizing diversity and inclusion programming to educate administrators, coaching staffs and student-athletes.
- Teams will be encouraged to develop and participate in Martin Luther King Jr. Day programming to celebrate his legacy and commitment to social change.
- An Education Day programming element developed by women’s basketball head coaches will take place in the month of February to teach kids in local communities the importance and influence of Black History Month.
- Basketball coaches will participate in a reading program that will directly benefit elementary and middle schools in their communities.
- For all sports, student-athletes and coaches will have the opportunity to wear social justice patches, pins, and pregame warmup shirts to show support on gamedays.
- Early in July, the Coaches 4 Change organization was founded by college basketball coaches who are dedicated to help their student-athletes, their campus, and their communities. Siena Men’s Basketball Head Coach Carmen Maciariello serves as the Executive Director of the organization and will play a pivotal role in serving the group’s mission to provide a platform that engages, educates, empowers and evolves the collegiate student-athlete on issues of social injustices, systemic racism and the power of voting. The MAAC will seek to gain wide support from within the league and throughout Division I for the program.
- The MAAC will further develop the MAAC Gives Back program in Atlantic City on a virtual basis this upcoming year with a continued effort to educate local students and to keep an open conversation on diversity and inclusion. The MAAC Hercules Tires Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships moved to Atlantic City this past season for a three-year term expiring in 2022.
Notes and Quotes
MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball head coaches from around the league were asked a variety of questions on the new MAAC United for Justice campaign. Questions asked included what they were trying to accomplish with the program, what the MAAC’s goal should be with this initiative, what their personal goal with the campaign is, and why this initiative is important to them. See below for a full list of quotes.
Kevin Baggett – Rider University Men’s Basketball
“We are trying to promote unity and equality for all mankind. Break down social biases when it comes to Black/Brown people and all people of color. The MAAC's goal when it comes to men's and women's basketball, which is dominated by Blacks, is to promote that Black Lives Matter on behalf of our players and Black coaches. My personal goal is to educate as many people on the importance that Black Lives Matter, just as all lives matter! To continue to carry out Dr. Martin Luther King's message ‘that one day we wouldn't be judged by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character.’ This is very important to me because it's time for change. We have been dealing with these same issues for over 400 years and enough is enough. We will no longer put up with it and I think there are a lot of White Americans who are finally waking up and saying enough is enough on our behalf. Black America is only made up of 15 percent, we need White people to finally take a stand with us!”
Billi Chambers – Iona College Women’s Basketball
“As a mentor of young women, it has been and will always be a priority of mine to serve as a pillar of support for our student-athletes to have the courage to use their platform to stand up for what they believe is right. Our nation faces a precious opportunity to substantially stem the tide of centuries of cultural bias and systemic racism. In years to come, I hope that it is noted that our student-athletes, our institutions and our league had the courage to be at the forefront of this pivotal moment in history. I am proud that the MAAC is committed to stand alongside our young men, women, coaches and administrators as we venture into the spotlight of ‘good trouble’ to support this movement.”
Shaheen Holloway – Saint Peter’s University Men’s Basketball
“With this initiative, we want to raise awareness and promote education about systemic racism and social injustice with the goal to support social justice reform and to advocate for Black Lives Matter. As a Black man in America and as a coach who is responsible for educating and coaching young men, I understand these young men will lay the groundwork for a better future. Raising awareness about social issues and promoting positive social change is necessary to their continued growth and development.”
Marc Mitchell – Saint Peter’s University Women’s Basketball
“I would like to educate and enlighten everyone on the subject of police brutality, racial inequality, and systemic racism in our country. The league would like to create conversation that will lead to real and positive change in our country. My personal goal is to become a leader and an agent for change that young people can look to in face of discrimination and bigotry. There are several reasons why this is extremely important to me; I am a father of two daughters and two sons. I want my children to be proud of me not only for winning championships, but to be proud of me for making a real difference in our community and country. This is much bigger than basketball.”
Jada Pierce – Niagara University Women’s Basketball
“We want to see an end to the police violence against Black people. We also want equality for Black people in all areas. Our goals are to educate as well as raise awareness about systemic racism and police brutality that has existed for many years. We want to educate and celebrate the lives of Black people that have been influential in American History but have not always been given recognition. We want to initiate real change within our local communities which we hope will spread throughout the nation and the world. We wish to unite everyone in the fight for social justice. My goal is to use my platform to continue educating as many people as possible and work with people of all races to create change. As a Black woman who has been discriminated against for most of my life, I would like one day to have the same access, opportunity, and privilege that has been experienced by white people. I would also like my family, friends, players, and generations to come to have the same opportunities too. I also know that for change to happen we must use our voices and vote!”
Reggie Witherspoon – Canisius College Men’s Basketball
“This group is looking to bring awareness to the issues of social injustice and racial inequality. We are also looking to bring support to our student-athletes and their concerns for these issues. Personally, I would like to see greater awareness and education regarding these issues. I believe it is extremely important to support these conversations on as great a level as we can provide. I want to see an increased respect people have for one another, in spite of whatever differences they may have. I want people to have tolerance for, and acceptance of, each other.
For me personally, this is a journey I have lived my whole life. Our parents lived this and fought these issues, and they made it a point to educate us. I have been able to benefit greatly from my parents’ perspective and how they saw life and the things they exposed us to, and some of it was not very good. But, we were aware and alert about it. Because of that education and awareness, I have made some great friends.”
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) celebrates its 40
th year of competition during the 2020-21 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.