UNI student-athletes' second annual UNIty Walk supports diversity and inclusion efforts
10/18/2021 2:23:00 PM | General
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - University of Northern Iowa student-athletes gathered Friday morning to show solidarity with others who identify in protected classes.Â
Hundreds were on hand for the student-led walk that led Panthers and community members from the McLeod Center to the Campanile on UNI's campus. Â
"It's great to have an event like this that is organized by our student-athletes," said UNI Athletics Director David Harris. "You decided this was important. That this is a statement you wanted to make, so we are incredibly proud of you for coming together for this UNIty Walk."Â
The UNIty Walk was held as a show of support and as a reminder that a continued focus for social justice issues is needed. The second annual event was organized by UNI's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Minority Student-Athlete Leadership Team (MSALT) under the direction of Andrea Greve Coello.
"Last year it was prominent, but it's still going on today and every day," said senior Alfonzo Lambert, a defensive back on UNI's football team. "We need to keep fighting that fight, so we can get to a better place. All it takes is togetherness, because together we rise. No one man can do it, but together we can do a lot."
Diversity and inclusion is among the core values of UNI Athletics' strategic plan, titled Panthers Rising. Participants continued to support that message at today's event with T-shirts that read "Together We Rise."Â Â
The department has established a webpage to track its diversity and inclusion efforts at UNIPanthers.com/inclusion.Â
Last year, staff, coaches and teams participated in a 21-day challenge program designed to examine personal beliefs, engage in self-directed learning and become a community that addresses racial inequalities and injustices.ÂGallery: (10-18-2021) UNIty Walk 2021
The department also participated in UNI's campus-wide Diversity Common Read initiative that explores diversity and inclusion themes.Â
"It takes all of us," said Harris. "There is a reason that we have on our shirts 'Together we rise.'"
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Hundreds were on hand for the student-led walk that led Panthers and community members from the McLeod Center to the Campanile on UNI's campus. Â
"It's great to have an event like this that is organized by our student-athletes," said UNI Athletics Director David Harris. "You decided this was important. That this is a statement you wanted to make, so we are incredibly proud of you for coming together for this UNIty Walk."Â
The UNIty Walk was held as a show of support and as a reminder that a continued focus for social justice issues is needed. The second annual event was organized by UNI's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Minority Student-Athlete Leadership Team (MSALT) under the direction of Andrea Greve Coello.
"Last year it was prominent, but it's still going on today and every day," said senior Alfonzo Lambert, a defensive back on UNI's football team. "We need to keep fighting that fight, so we can get to a better place. All it takes is togetherness, because together we rise. No one man can do it, but together we can do a lot."
Diversity and inclusion is among the core values of UNI Athletics' strategic plan, titled Panthers Rising. Participants continued to support that message at today's event with T-shirts that read "Together We Rise."Â Â
The department has established a webpage to track its diversity and inclusion efforts at UNIPanthers.com/inclusion.Â
Last year, staff, coaches and teams participated in a 21-day challenge program designed to examine personal beliefs, engage in self-directed learning and become a community that addresses racial inequalities and injustices.Â
The department also participated in UNI's campus-wide Diversity Common Read initiative that explores diversity and inclusion themes.Â
"It takes all of us," said Harris. "There is a reason that we have on our shirts 'Together we rise.'"
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