A statement from Pat Narduzzi:
“Our team held some very honest and painful discussions over the past week about what it’s like to be black in America. While I’m usually the one directing the talk in team meetings, I made it a point to simply listen and learn. Players learn from coaches, but I’ve always said coaches learn from players, too. I’m thankful for how the young men in our program opened up and shared their personal, painful experiences.
“Our country today is very troubled. But I believe tomorrow can and will be better based on what I’m seeing and hearing from our players. They are inspiring to me. I’m thankful for them and honored to be their head coach.
“I want to address the word ‘thug’ and its use in our program. Simply put, it’s not allowed. Last season, I learned how that word, and what it suggests, has changed. Through our regular discussions in our weekly players’ leadership council, our players shared their feelings on that word. Our program understands it will not be part of our vocabulary.
“These can’t be one-time conversations. We are going to have ongoing dialogue, educating each other and caring for each other. Only by working together can we create a better team, a better community, a better country. That’s our goal and I’m honored to be part of that process.”
“Our team held some very honest and painful discussions over the past week about what it’s like to be black in America. While I’m usually the one directing the talk in team meetings, I made it a point to simply listen and learn. Players learn from coaches, but I’ve always said coaches learn from players, too. I’m thankful for how the young men in our program opened up and shared their personal, painful experiences.
“Our country today is very troubled. But I believe tomorrow can and will be better based on what I’m seeing and hearing from our players. They are inspiring to me. I’m thankful for them and honored to be their head coach.
“I want to address the word ‘thug’ and its use in our program. Simply put, it’s not allowed. Last season, I learned how that word, and what it suggests, has changed. Through our regular discussions in our weekly players’ leadership council, our players shared their feelings on that word. Our program understands it will not be part of our vocabulary.
“These can’t be one-time conversations. We are going to have ongoing dialogue, educating each other and caring for each other. Only by working together can we create a better team, a better community, a better country. That’s our goal and I’m honored to be part of that process.”
