University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Northern Colorado Athletics Establishes the Bears Against Racial Strife Committee
9/24/2020 12:06:00 PM | General
GREELEY, Colo. – The University of Northern Colorado Athletics Department has announced the Athletics Department and student-athletes formed the Bears Against Racial Strife committee to further the conversation and action against racial injustice.
The committee will help lead the conversation and action against racial injustice. It plans to host events throughout the semester where student-athletes can learn and interact in a safe space. They also are planning a campaign to encourage their community to educate themselves on voting in the upcoming election. The committee's goal is to bring individuals together who reflect all aspects of diversity and continue to celebrate the differences that make our Bears community special.
"It's not just about sports and it's not just about competition. It is our responsibility to educate our student-athletes on how to be a voice or a leader, how to be heard, how to create change. It's our job to support them in those efforts. It is our hope that through the BARS committee we can work with our community to create a positive change. That's our goal." - Darren Dunn, Director of Athletics
"The BARS Committee aims at listening to our athletes and working together to help educate and create change within our department and community. We have amazing student-athletes and I have really enjoyed our open dialogue that has been created through our conversations throughout the summer. I'm confident our committee will break some barriers and help promote change." - Rachel Walton, Senior Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator
"I have been personally frustrated and disheartened about the state of racial issues in our country but after spending time with the impressive young men and women in our athletic department I am so excited by the passion they bring to make help our country reach the great potential it has. Here at UNC, We have some special campus leaders and future leaders of this country developing before our very eyes! I'm blessed I can be a part of their development and this is why I coach!" - Tony Coaxum, Assistant Football Coach
"It feels very comforting and welcoming to have the support of my fellow student athletes, coaches and administrators within the committee. We all are working towards the same goal and we all want to see each other succeed inside and outside of the committee! It's just nice to know someone else is looking out for you and has your back if you ever needed it." - Armanni Portee, Senior, Track & Field
"I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be apart of a group with wonderful human beings. It's amazing to have a support system that understands your life and daily challenges. As athletes we have the ability to reach a large amount of people, but with the help of the BARS committee, the amount of people we can reach is magnified! This is just the beginning for the BARS committee, and I'm excited to see the heights that the BARS committee will reach." - Robert Winters Jr., Senior, Wrestling
The committee will help lead the conversation and action against racial injustice. It plans to host events throughout the semester where student-athletes can learn and interact in a safe space. They also are planning a campaign to encourage their community to educate themselves on voting in the upcoming election. The committee's goal is to bring individuals together who reflect all aspects of diversity and continue to celebrate the differences that make our Bears community special.
"It's not just about sports and it's not just about competition. It is our responsibility to educate our student-athletes on how to be a voice or a leader, how to be heard, how to create change. It's our job to support them in those efforts. It is our hope that through the BARS committee we can work with our community to create a positive change. That's our goal." - Darren Dunn, Director of Athletics
"The BARS Committee aims at listening to our athletes and working together to help educate and create change within our department and community. We have amazing student-athletes and I have really enjoyed our open dialogue that has been created through our conversations throughout the summer. I'm confident our committee will break some barriers and help promote change." - Rachel Walton, Senior Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator
"I have been personally frustrated and disheartened about the state of racial issues in our country but after spending time with the impressive young men and women in our athletic department I am so excited by the passion they bring to make help our country reach the great potential it has. Here at UNC, We have some special campus leaders and future leaders of this country developing before our very eyes! I'm blessed I can be a part of their development and this is why I coach!" - Tony Coaxum, Assistant Football Coach
"It feels very comforting and welcoming to have the support of my fellow student athletes, coaches and administrators within the committee. We all are working towards the same goal and we all want to see each other succeed inside and outside of the committee! It's just nice to know someone else is looking out for you and has your back if you ever needed it." - Armanni Portee, Senior, Track & Field
"I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be apart of a group with wonderful human beings. It's amazing to have a support system that understands your life and daily challenges. As athletes we have the ability to reach a large amount of people, but with the help of the BARS committee, the amount of people we can reach is magnified! This is just the beginning for the BARS committee, and I'm excited to see the heights that the BARS committee will reach." - Robert Winters Jr., Senior, Wrestling
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