To our Newberry College student-athletes,

I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home built on love and support for family, and for all people. What all of us have witnessed recently is worse than heartbreaking. I want our student-athletes at Newberry College to know that I love all of you. I want each of you to know that my number one goal is to make sure that each of you feels valued, loved, and appreciated. I see so many good things happen every day at Newberry, but I also know that not all our students feel that they are valued, loved, and appreciated.

The tragic deaths of George Floyd and of too many African Americans before him have literally rocked our world, and they should! I cannot imagine the feelings of African Americans right now, and I know their everyday fears have not been addressed – ever. George Bernard Shaw once said, "Those who can't change their minds can't change anything." I acknowledge that I have sat on the sideline and quietly ignored the tragic behaviors of racism and hate for too long. I want to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.

For all of our African American students, coaches, faculty, and staff at Newberry who don't feel comfortable on our campus or in our world right now, I want each of you to know that I am sorry and that I will work to make things better. It is a privilege to be the Director of Athletics at Newberry College. I am committed to utilizing my platform to listen to the voices that have historically not been heard, to promote equity and inclusion, and to explore ways to advance positive social change. We must each do our part to end racism and dismantle the systems that support it and benefit from it, and we need to do it now. We must quit ignoring intolerable injustices and actively do our part to make our country better.

We are so fortunate that each of you chose to come to Newberry College to follow your passions, to participate in athletics, and to earn a degree. You are what makes Newberry College a special place, and I need you to know that I am praying for each of you! As we get closer to bringing everyone back to campus to begin a new academic year, let us be mindful that all of us can make a difference together.

I challenge you to join me and get off the sideline, get into the game, and make a positive difference in the lives of your friends and teammates!