Memphis forms leadership group to support athletes
Memphis athletics director Laird Veatch said the athletics department has formed a leadership group in response to the “racial injustice and social unrest in our country.”
In a school statement Tuesday, Veatch said a conference call took place with athletes in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death on May 25 in Minneapolis.
Floyd, a black man, died when Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. His death sparked nationwide protests, including in Memphis.
“Through conversations with our coaches and administration regarding the racial injustice and social unrest in our country, it has become clear that while we come from different backgrounds and perspectives, we also share many of the same thoughts, concerns and values,” Veatch wrote. “Most importantly, we have found it extremely difficult to navigate the deep and personal pain that our student-athletes and staff are experiencing, particularly during this time of isolated disconnection. Many of us have also found it difficult to determine what to say and how to effectively support our colleagues and student-athletes, as we all work through these very challenging thoughts and raw emotions. So, we decided to start by listening.”
Veatch said an initial meeting with athletes “revealed consistent feelings of anger, pain, frustration, confusion and depression.”
“As with millions of others, the impacts of hate-filled violence against African Americans have brought powerful feelings to the surface regarding the enduring culture of racial injustice in our country. It was also clear that there is a passionate desire for real action. Real action that will make a real impact.”
Veatch said he will be part of the leadership group along with Jessica Thomas from the Center for Athletic Academic Services, senior staff members Marlon Dechausay and Lauren Ashman as well as “a cross-section of coaches, staff and campus representatives.”