We are living in such divisive times.  We see fellow citizens not valuing the health, life, and rights of others.  We see killings at the hands of the very people who vowed to protect and serve. We are witnessing people assuming the worst of a person because of the color of his or her skin; making assumptions of a person's intentions without pausing to ask, listen and hear.  

I see and hear the pain in the voices of our student-athletes, their families, our coaches and friends.  

My heart is broken.   

One of the core values of W&M Athletics is BELONGING. A core value that states that "we welcome, respect and value individual differences while providing a safe, healthy and inclusive environment in which all have the opportunity to thrive."  Now, more than ever, we must uphold this value.  Many of our students-athletes, coaches, and friends feel ignored, unheard and marginalized. 
 
W&M Athletics COMMITS to leading towards a community where all feel welcome, feel seen and heard, and believe and demonstrate that all of us truly belong.  This will take work - work that I, as athletics director, must lead and must live each and every day.  I COMMIT to continuing to foster an environment where all opinions and beliefs are respected even if not agreed upon; that we work together to bring about harmony in this time of division.  And that one day everyone truly feels that we are ONE TRIBE ONE FAMILY.