West Lafayette, Ind. – Purdue vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics Mike Bobinski joins with the Big Ten conference in announcing the Big Ten Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Coalition. The task force, made up of student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors, chancellors, presidents and other members of the Big Ten family include representation of all 14 member institutions.
The goal of the Coalition is to seek tangible ways to actively and constructively combat racism and hate around the world while also empowering student-athletes to express their rights to free speech and peaceful protest.
The Purdue Athletics representatives are made up of three head coaches: Jeff Brohm (football), Norbert Elliott (track & field/cross country) and Dave Shondell (women's volleyball), two student-athletes: Jared Florell (wrestling) and Nyagoa Gony (women's basketball), head team physician Dr. Carly Day and assistant athletic director for student-athlete development Peyton Stovall.
"We recognize that we are at a critical time in our society and that the platform provided by intercollegiate athletics affords our student-athletes, coaches and staff a unique opportunity to demonstrate thoughtful and impactful leadership in the hope of affecting meaningful change," said Bobinski. "As an athletic department, we are committed to creating an environment of understanding, acceptance and respect for all, and to empowering our student-athletes to make a difference in every aspect of their lives. We're excited to take part in this initiative and look forward to supporting the work of the Coalition."
The Coalition will leverage, support and complement the extraordinary efforts already taking place across the Big Ten Conference through initiatives on our campuses, as well as through existing conference-wide organizations like the Big Ten Advisory Commission. Established in 1972 in the midst of a period of significant social unrest in our nation, the Advisory Commission will have direct representation on the Coalition.
The Coalition was first announced in an open letter from Commissioner Warren on June 1, 2020 following the death of George Floyd.
The goal of the Coalition is to seek tangible ways to actively and constructively combat racism and hate around the world while also empowering student-athletes to express their rights to free speech and peaceful protest.
The Purdue Athletics representatives are made up of three head coaches: Jeff Brohm (football), Norbert Elliott (track & field/cross country) and Dave Shondell (women's volleyball), two student-athletes: Jared Florell (wrestling) and Nyagoa Gony (women's basketball), head team physician Dr. Carly Day and assistant athletic director for student-athlete development Peyton Stovall.
"We recognize that we are at a critical time in our society and that the platform provided by intercollegiate athletics affords our student-athletes, coaches and staff a unique opportunity to demonstrate thoughtful and impactful leadership in the hope of affecting meaningful change," said Bobinski. "As an athletic department, we are committed to creating an environment of understanding, acceptance and respect for all, and to empowering our student-athletes to make a difference in every aspect of their lives. We're excited to take part in this initiative and look forward to supporting the work of the Coalition."
The Coalition will leverage, support and complement the extraordinary efforts already taking place across the Big Ten Conference through initiatives on our campuses, as well as through existing conference-wide organizations like the Big Ten Advisory Commission. Established in 1972 in the midst of a period of significant social unrest in our nation, the Advisory Commission will have direct representation on the Coalition.
The Coalition was first announced in an open letter from Commissioner Warren on June 1, 2020 following the death of George Floyd.