Women's Basketball 2/17/2021 3:30:16 PM Patriot League Men’s and Women’s Basketball Continues Commitment in Pursuit of Anti-Racism BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Patriot League will reaffirm its commitment to the pursuit of Anti-Racism during men's and women's basketball games on Saturday, Feb. 20 and Sunday, Feb. 21. During the weekend, League men's and women's basketball student-athletes will wear special shooting shirts adorned with a Black fist surrounded by 10 stars to represent each of the League's member institutions and the phrase "Pursuing Anti-Racism." The shirt's back will feature the words "Unity, Respect, Activism" to signify the values under which the League will continue to pursue the goal of Anti-Racism. "This weekend represents an important moment for the voice of student-athletes within the Patriot League," Patriot League Commissioner Jennifer Heppel said. "Last summer, the Patriot League Basketball Social Justice Coalition identified opportunities to influence change, including an annual event that would be a visible representation of their continued dedication to social justice. I am proud to join them this weekend in demonstrating our commitment to the pursuit of Anti-Racism." The decision to develop the logo and the shooting shirt is based on widespread support from the Patriot League's men's and women's basketball student-athletes as a symbol of their dedication to supporting Black and Brown communities. The design was a collaborative effort that originated with Lehigh women's basketball student-athletes Mary Clougherty and Katie Rice, and Bucknell women's basketball student-athlete Abby Kapp on behalf of the Patriot League Basketball Social Justice Coalition, a group comprised of Patriot League men's and women's basketball student-athletes. The student-athletes worked with the League office staff members and the Patriot League Anti-Racism Commission to design the logo and shooting shirt that the student-athletes will wear before games on Saturday, Feb. 20 and Sunday, Feb. 21. The shooting shirt logo was designed not only as a symbol but a call to action from the League's student-athletes. "As athletes, we feel that this logo would be important for teams to participate in wearing to show our allyship and solidarity for teammates, coaches, and competitors of color," Clougherty said. "We do acknowledge that wearing a logo is not the lone solution. There need to be conversations among teams. There need to be commitments made to education and understanding. There need to be actions taken. This logo is one step in showing our schools, athletics departments, and teams that we are committed to change." In addition to the shooting shirts, messaging from the Patriot League Anti-Racism Commission will be displayed in arenas, voiced during game broadcasts and on the League's social media channels. Marcus Blossom – College of the Holy Cross Director of Intercollegiate Athletics "I'm proud of our Patriot League student-athletes' for their pursuit of Anti-Racism on their campuses and in their respective communities. I'm also excited to provide leadership within the League's efforts to provide a more inclusive environment for all student-athletes, including our student-athletes of color, and ensuring coaching and administrative opportunities within our League are granted in a fair and equitable manner. The shirts worn and all the messaging accompanying this weekend's games are small yet important symbols of support and commitment in this area." Maisha Kelly – Bucknell University Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Development, Senior Woman Administrator "This weekend represents a deep solidarity that permeates throughout the Patriot League and the tremendous student-athletes who have exercised their voices and commitment to social justice. The members of the men's and women's basketball teams are unified in the message and work of Anti-Racism, challenging us all to use our platforms to effectuate change and create arenas embodying unity, respect and activism. This is a proud marker in the history of the League and a reflection of the scholars we share a brief moment with before they move on to become tomorrow's leaders." Donna Woodruff – Loyola University of Maryland, Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics "I am proud of this League and especially proud of our impressive student-athletes who have joined together not only to raise their voices but to shine a light on racial injustice. These shirts are only one important piece of our collective commitment to continue listening, learning and leading each other toward significant change in what must be our unrelenting pursuit of Anti-Racism." ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE ANTI-RACISM COMMISSION The Patriot League Anti-Racism Commission was created to examine areas in which systemic racism is perpetuated and to continuously seek actionable solutions for long-term change within the League. Formed in 2020, the Commission is made up of current and former student-athletes, coaches, administrators and faculty members. Grounded in the League's mission of preparing student-athletes to become leaders and make meaningful contributions to society, the Commission will work to ensure fairness, equitable opportunities, benefits and resources through League institutions. ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League's athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.