Big 12 men’s hoop coaches use teamwork to issue anti-racism statement via video
The Big 12 men’s basketball coaches issued a video statement Monday calling for change as protests continued throughout the nation in the wake of the death of George Floyd.
“It’s time for us to use our platform to make a difference,” Oklahoma’s Lon Kruger said.
Each of the 10 coaches had a line or two in the 54-second video. They spoke from their offices, practice gyms and homes.
Speaking were Kruger, TCU’s Jamie Dixon, Oklahoma State’s Mike Boynton, Texas Tech’s Chris Beard, Scott Drew of Baylor, Texas’ Shaka Smart, Kansas State’s Bruce Weber, Steve Prohm of Iowa State, West Virginia’s Bob Huggins and Kansas’ Bill Self.
Dixon is the president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Earlier Monday, The Kansas City-based NABC organization issued a statement of its own, calling on coaches to step up their anti-racism game.
The Big 12 coaches did a few hours later.
“As coaches, we have the responsibility to use our platforms to push back against hate, and to stand alongside those — including many of our players and colleagues — who for too long have been marginalized. Racism and prejudice of any form have no place in our world. We demand all coaches to join in the cause — by listening, by speaking out and by acting — of making equality for all a reality.”
Many in the sports world have reacted with determination and unity since the protests began shortly after Floyd’s death under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer May 24. Clemson football coach Dabo Sweeney spoke out against racism in a conference call with reporters Monday.
This story was originally published June 1, 2020 at 8:04 PM with the headline "Big 12 men’s hoop coaches use teamwork to issue anti-racism statement via video."