A Message from the Florida Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

A Message from the Florida Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

Thursday, June 4, 2020 | General, Baseball, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Football, Men's Golf, Women's Golf, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving, Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Cross Country, Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field, Otis Hawkins Center

By: Florida Gators Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

As student-athletes we vow to take action. We cannot ignore what is happening to the black community including student-athletes, coaches, and staff. The feelings of frustration, confusion, and anger of our peers must be met with change. In order to change we must look inside at the spaces we occupy as student-athletes and challenge racism, oppression, injustice, and violence. Over the past few days we have engaged in conversations with each other to look at our own privileges in order to authentically create that change within our teams and spaces. We are working with UAA administration to develop more spaces for growth, understanding, and action for the short and long term.

We stand behind our coaches in their commitment of respect and accountability. We, too, have a duty to use our voices as student-athletes to contribute to a greater society.

This is not a fad or trend but a commitment to each other, the Gator Nation, the University of Florida, and all of the spaces that we occupy. Silence is not an option. We are 21 sports who represent 1 team and racism has no place within that team.