Michigan State University Athletics
WE ARE SPARTANS. AND THIS IS WHAT WE REPRESENT.
The athletic department at Michigan State has been an integral part of the university’s overall mission for inclusion and has been recognized throughout history as a nationwide leader in diversity.
And those core values of respect, integrity, leadership and service continue to shape our identity today.
The recent tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery have highlighted ongoing racial injustices in the country. Our department wants to be a part of positive change by creating action and making a difference in our community.
As Spartans, we are committed to the goals of diversity and inclusion at Michigan State University and are honored to uphold the ideals that has made MSU a pioneer in breaking barriers throughout history.
Listen. Learn. Understand.
Together, we can help be a force for change.
— Spartan Athletics (@MSU_Athletics) June 4, 2020
VOICES | ACTIONS | RESOURCES/WEBSITES
VOICES
Michigan State Athletic Director Bill Beekman:Hate has no home at Michigan State University and within Michigan State Athletics. In light of recent examples of violence against Black Americans, I want to make clear that MSU Athletics supports our Black student-athletes, coaches and staff. Black Lives Matter. We hear you and we support you. Your experiences, ideas and views are essential to the growth of MSU Athletics and our campus community. Core values such as diversity, inclusion, respect and integrity are not things we do … they are who we are. Creating a culture isn’t a top-down or bottom-up initiative, it’s a team effort … one that requires everyone’s attention. Our goal is to make Spartans of every era proud to be Spartans for life.
Words must turn to action, and that’s where our focus must remain. Over the last few weeks we’ve done a lot of talking and listening about race, thanks in part to our student-led Diversity and Leadership Committee. Additionally, we are moving forward with the hiring of a Chief Diversity Officer. But this is just the beginning, with so much more work yet to be done. We look forward to keeping the MSU community, especially our student-athletes, informed about our progress. Together, we’ll learn and grow.
A statement from Coach Izzo. pic.twitter.com/P8EiKRujYj
— Michigan State Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) June 29, 2020
My thoughts on George Floyd's death. 👇🏾🙏🏾 #RelentlessChange pic.twitter.com/YbiFv1ovJZ
— Mel Tucker (@Coach_mtucker) May 30, 2020
A statement from Coach Izzo: pic.twitter.com/DOOI60yK4Q
— Michigan State Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) May 30, 2020
It’s time to ACT... Black Lives Matter pic.twitter.com/XnRwAHfVjL
— Suzy Merchant (@SuzyMerchant) June 1, 2020
MSU PRESIDENT STANLEY LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY
To our Black students, faculty and staff, know that we stand with you. It is important, as Spartans, that we collectively understand and acknowledge the impact of racism and that the Black community is under attack in many ways right now. More: https://t.co/S49f2G9LBs
— MSU (@michiganstateu) May 29, 2020
CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL LETTERS FROM PRESIDENT STANLEY
The horrific abuse and deaths of Black Americans cannot continue, and we all must demand answers and accountability. At MSU, we have a responsibility to uphold our values and a duty to honor them. https://t.co/uGfEI8Oa6u pic.twitter.com/hNvcNaT1Gl
— MSU (@michiganstateu) June 12, 2020
A message from @rensingd & the B1G men's soccer coaches:
— MSU Men's Soccer (@MSUmsoccer) June 3, 2020
We are united as one and stand WITH you.
✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼 pic.twitter.com/8bDaQ9l8EQ
— MSU Women's Soccer (@MSU_wsoccer) June 4, 2020
In respect to #BlackOutTuesday we felt it was important to share this message from Head Coach, Mike Rowe. #BlackLivesMatter #BeTheChange #WalkTheWalk #GoldenRule #Compassion
— MSU Gymnastics (@MSUgymnastics) June 2, 2020
More info:https://t.co/FBK1j0Vfl5https://t.co/eNBZdmI5By pic.twitter.com/KitS36xJnw
THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW pic.twitter.com/tVJkFrVg1f
— وحش (@_antjuan_) June 1, 2020
#speakup #ItsTimeForAction ❤️ pic.twitter.com/4TuRpV5psC
— Devontae Dobbs (@Devontae_Dobbs) June 1, 2020
A message to our students-athletes and MSU community.
— The Diversity & Leadership Committee (@SpartansDLC) June 4, 2020
We hope you join us today for our Black In America conversation to be a part of the change we detail in this message. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/HSW4UHP95L
We stand with you. ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/bBsEooULwK
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) June 3, 2020
Always proud of these women! https://t.co/9Vxhp0mX8p
— MSU Track & Field/XC (@MSUTrackFieldXC) June 10, 2020
ACTIONS
THANK YOU‼️ THANK YOU‼️ THANK YOU‼️ In just 1️⃣ week we raised $2,823 for such important funds within the #BlackLivesMatter Movement. Thank you to every single Spartan — student-athletes, coach, staff members and alumni everywhere!
— The Diversity & Leadership Committee (@SpartansDLC) June 29, 2020
Thank you for giving to #TheGiveBack pic.twitter.com/cEegAzAlXb
“You’re working on your legacy right now.” – 3x SB champ Scott Pioli
— RISE (@RISEtoWIN) July 1, 2020
During a Zoom with @MSU_Football today, RISE board members @scottpioli51 and @JocelynBenson shared the importance of civic engagement, voting and athletes using their platform to create real change. pic.twitter.com/bosNR4JjjA
We’re so proud to have these student-athletes being recognized as leaders within this @bigten Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism coalition! Congratulations to our very own Brooke Bogan for being selected! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/lWaeWnsetw
— The Diversity & Leadership Committee (@SpartansDLC) June 16, 2020
I am very honored to have been nominated to serve on the @bigten Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Coalition.
— Mel Tucker (@Coach_mtucker) June 19, 2020
I can't wait to work with my fellow conference colleagues in order to communicate, educate and provide resources. #RELENTLESSChange👊🏾 pic.twitter.com/6hq6GpzIE6
Yesterday was powerful. We got close to 150 athletes and administrators together to talk about police brutality and racism in this country but also in our everyday lives. We hope this conversation is the first of many within @MSU_Athletics & that the next steps are of ACTION‼️ pic.twitter.com/XbVHjbXydA
— The Diversity & Leadership Committee (@SpartansDLC) June 5, 2020
The Big Ten takes the next steps in empowering its student-athletes with the announcement of the members of the Big Ten Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Coalition and the launch of the Big Ten Voter Registration Initiative.https://t.co/Yjl3FbJZQ1 pic.twitter.com/i7rmlcNTZt
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) June 15, 2020
As part of our MSU’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice, we are asking MSU students, faculty, staff and community members to join Live On in signing a pledge to make sure HATE HAS NO HOME HERE at MSU. https://t.co/nSveInwzKG pic.twitter.com/RFBPRJKbWy
— MSU Live On (@MSULiveOn) May 29, 2020
RESOURCES/
WEBSITES
Before our Black In America conversation tomorrow, we want to equip you all on ways you can act today to help this movement! #BlackLivesMatter
— The Diversity & Leadership Committee (@SpartansDLC) June 3, 2020
We’ve linked various petitions below: https://t.co/Q0Wzq81kkG
Do you need to check or update your voter registration? Your state or local election office will have the details on how to change your voter registration. https://t.co/pbPLK1fgn9 pic.twitter.com/sJoScb0N51
— VoteGov (@VoteGov) May 19, 2020
WEBSITES:
REGISTER TO VOTE (VOTE.GOV)
NAACP
BLACK LIVES MATTER
MSU DIVERSITY & LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE
MSU INCLUSION & INTERCULTURAL INITIATIVES WEBSITE
MSU DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION PLAN