MILWAUKEE – The Marquette and Georgetown University women’s basketball teams will be promoting unity and change leading up to and during Wednesday’s scheduled contest at the Al McGuire Center.
On Monday night, the two teams and their coaching staffs met via Zoom and connected in breakout rooms to discuss current events going on in the United States and how to push for change in their respective communities. Key talking points included breakdowns of what happened in Washington D.C. last week, a push for unity, striving for change and fostering dialogue in your family.
“It is inspiring to see BIG EAST student-athletes and coaches using their platforms to keep social justice in the forefront,” said Tracy Ellis-Ward, Senior Associate Commissioner, Women’s Basketball and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the BIG EAST. “Important discourse about racial injustice was part of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The significance of such dialogue has never been more relevant in our country over the past year.”
After the national anthem is played leading up to the game, both teams will stand together, alternating players from each team, around the center court logo in a show of unity as the song “Lift Every Voice” is played. Both coaching staffs will line up on the sidelines as well.
Postgame, Marquette head coach Megan Duffy and Georgetown head coach James Howard will participate in a Zoom press conference to promote the importance of unity within their teams and communities as well as encouraging their players to have a voice and create a safe space.
“I am proud that the Georgetown and Marquette women’s basketball programs are continuing to meaningfully engage and learn. That is what the BIG EAST’s #BeTheChange initiative is all about,” Ellis-Ward said.
Tipoff between Marquette and Georgetown on Wednesday is slated for 3 p.m. ET. The game will stream live on the BIG EAST Digital Network presented by SoFi, available on FloSports.
WATCH
Georgetown Quotes:
-Head Coach James Howard: “This was a great opportunity to bring both teams together to talk about what’s going on in the world. This platform opened up many doors to make change happen through the power of action not just words.”
- Freshman Guard Yasmin Ott: “The experience of last night’s event was a real eye opener. It allowed me to learn and share like experiences with other Black athletes. This injustice that we face is unacceptable in this day and age, but I’m glad that the future looks brighter in the BIG EAST Conference.”
- Graduate Student Guard Milan Bolden-Morris: “The experience in a word, was refreshing. To know that I’m not fighting alone and have allies of different races, feels really good and gives me a sense of hope in humanity. During trying times it’s easy to be closed minded, especially with these racial injustices, but the Zoom really helped me to let my guard down and reassured me that there’s still love in the world, that I’m loved.”
Marquette Quotes:
-Head Coach Megan Duffy: "It was a powerful evening coming together with Georgetown women’s basketball coaches, staff and student-athletes to push for unity and change in our country. We made a commitment to be positive leaders and role models in this fight, and I couldn’t be prouder of our student-athletes for their continued work. Hearing players from both programs share stories, different perspectives and a continued passion to impact our local communities brings hope as we continue forward during a tumultuous time in history."
-Junior Forward Chloe Marotta: “Tonight’s zoom call was about bringing unity and change. Having two teams that are going to play each other come together, set the competitiveness aside and converse with one another to better our society and bring about change is one of the most powerful things I’ve been ever apart of.”
-Sophomore Guard Taylor Valladay: “It was really amazing hearing different perspectives on social injustices in our country. I think it’s very powerful to be able to use our platforms in a much different way to fight for unity and change. Although we are competitors on the court, we’re fighting for a common cause that both teams are united and passionate about keeping the conversation alive.”
-Sophomore Forward Camryn Taylor: “Having these uncomfortable conversations is such a great way to gain more awareness and get perspective. As student-athletes, we have that platform to be a voice for people who are silenced.”