June 4, 2020

To Our Eagle Student-Athletes:

On this day, as George Floyd is laid to rest, every head coach and I, on behalf of our entire athletic staff, have made a pact to do more.  To be better.  To stand up for the voices of black and brown people whose voices are silenced.  To produce change that effects the systemic racism in this country.  To make this issue a priority and infuse it into the fabric of our UWL Athletic Department so that our student-athletes can be in an environment that is safe and secure from persecution due to the color of their skin.  

As a staff we are reflecting personally, talking collectively, and we look forward to demonstrating our commitment to our student-athletes as important and valued members of this UWL Athletic family.  We know as a department we have a responsibility to help our student-athletes become agents of change by educating them, demanding more of them, and moving words into action because everyone has to be part of the solution.  We pledge to listen to you and stay accountable to you.  We will fight with you against police brutality, and many other injustices, so there can be justice for George Floyd.

To our past, present, and future student-athletes of color, please know that we are thinking of you during this time of racism and violence.  We support you and are trying to understand what you are going through, although likely cannot possibly comprehend the depths to which you may experience discrimination.

"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Signed,

Cassandra Berger, Head Lacrosse Coach
Kim Blum, Athletic Director
Josh Buchholtz, Head Men's Track & Field Coach
Kasey Crawford, Head Gymnastics Coach
Nickolas Davis, Head Women's Track & Field Coach
Kent Dernbach, Head Men's Basketball Coach
Amber Dunn, Head Volleyball Coach
Chris Helixon, Head Softball Coach
Bill Hehli, Head Men's & Women's Tennis Coach
Matt Janus, Head Football Coach
Dave Malecek, Head Wrestling Coach
Karen Middleton, Head Women's Basketball Coach
Steve Mohs, Head Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving Coach
Jason Murphy, Head Soccer Coach
Chris Schwarz, Head Baseball Coach
Derek Stanley, Head Men's & Women's Cross Country Coach
David Taebel, Head Golf Coach