Not On OUr Campus

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA STATEMENT

President Boren intends to meet with the captains of the football team with Athletics Director Joe Castiglione immediately following spring break. He has also charged the Vice President of Student Affairs, Clarke Stroud to investigate each individual officer of the fraternity to determine their level of responsibility and to make recommendations on appropriate disciplinary action.

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR JOE CASTIGLIONE STATEMENT

I look forward to meeting with President Boren and our football captains to discuss the University's investigation of the possible culpability of the fraternity's leadership in this matter. The OU Athletics Department has been engaged in ongoing dialogue with our student-athletes regarding a variety of topics, and we appreciate this open exchange to further enhance the experience of all students at the University of Oklahoma.

STATEMENT FROM OKLAHOMA FOOTBALL STUDENT-ATHLETES

In light of the recent release of an undeniably, disgustingly racist video featuring members of a fraternity at our university, we the student-athletes of the University of Oklahoma football team have met to discuss the underlying issues that are at the heart of this matter. This single incident brings to the surface pervasive issues that must be confronted and resolved in order for the university to move forward. We applaud the actions that the university has taken thus far, and we appreciate President Boren's swift and decisive actions following the controversy. We thank Coach Stoops and the staff for wholeheartedly supporting our decisions as a team. As a team, our goal first and foremost is to raise awareness of racism and discrimination on college campuses nationwide. These types of incidents occur nationwide every single year, and our hope is to shed light on this issue and promote meaningful change at a national level. But before we can change the nation, we make it our mission to change our campus. We seek to accomplish this goal by stepping out of the spotlight and integrating the student-athlete experience and the student experience. As student athletes of all races, classes, and creeds, we hope to show the university and the community that we are defined by more than the numbers on our jerseys, and that we are human beings that desire to get to know our classmates as we all attempt to end the culture of exclusivity on this campus. Secondary to accomplishing these goals, we also seek disciplinary action for those responsible. The two students that have already been expelled are only a symptom of a larger disease, a disease perpetuated by the leadership of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon. The chant was not invented by the two that led it, but was taught to underclassmen by people of higher authority. As a team, we have come to a consensus that, in any organization, the leadership is responsible for the culture created and, in this case, encouraged. Being a student at the University of Oklahoma is a privilege, and allowing this culture to thrive is against everything it means to be a Sooner. Ignorance is no excuse. Therefore, we would like to urge the university to continue to investigate the Executive Board of SAE, and we trust that this investigation has already begun. It is our passionately expressed desire as members of the football team for the leadership of SAE to be expelled, suspended, or otherwise disciplined severely. Moving forward, we seek to continue to raise awareness for this issue and reiterate that this is much greater than football. We have not practiced this week, and will not be practicing today as we will demonstrate silently on Owen Field during our normal practice time. We will not forget about this during spring break, and upon our return to the practice field on Monday, March 23, we will continue to address this issue in our media opportunities and by wearing black during our practices. We cannot express how grateful we are to Coach Stoops and the coaching staff for supporting each and every action we have taken, even when these actions may have seemed extreme. We simply cannot wait to get back on the practice field in our pursuit of a national championship, but even a national championship is not more important than using our platform as student athletes to make our university and our nation a better place. We look forward to working with Coach Stoops, Mr. Castiglione, and President Boren to improve the state of our campus and our nation going forward! Boomer Sooner!

Video

HEAD COACH BOB STOOPS MEDIA SESSION

Opening Statement:

“First, I would just like to say how proud I am of our players in the stance that they have taken against racism and just the way that they have gone about it. The guys have been really thoughtful about affecting change. Again, they will have a chance to speak and they have released a statement earlier today just about their willingness to affect change, not only on our campus but across the country. It is their feeling that may not just be in Oklahoma, in fact it is fair to say that it is everywhere. These guys don't want to stand for it anymore. They have images captured and they have acted and reacted to them, I feel in a really strong way, and in a way that they can affect change. I commend President David Boren for his immediate, strong and swift action. Again, just proud of our players at how they want to affect change around the country.”

On what went in to deciding to do particular demonstrations:

“That was the player's choice, and I support them in every way.”

On why the situation resonates with him:

“Well it resonates with me; it is really hard to talk about. I get choked up almost every time that I do because I know the true nature of these guys and just how wonderful and what beautiful young men they are. I think that through the years in my time at Iowa, here and there, you experience it some, but being with the team, you get to know one another, and that is where the love and respect comes. You know the true nature of someone regardless of their race, their religion, what year they may be and all of it. None of it matters. I know that these guys have a plan moving forward to try to have more integration and to try to make sure that whether it be the Greek community or whatever, that they have the opportunity to get to know them as young men and people, other than just a number on a jersey.”

On if a situation like this can make a team stronger:

“Well hopefully it can make a team stronger. I think this is bigger than practice. The guys have demonstrated that and whether it makes us better or not is irrelevant. This kind of stance is more important than practice. They want to affect change around the country, not just here.”

On the feedback from colleagues:

“It has been very positive. The people have spoken up at just how proud they are at what we are doing, the stance we are taking and not just sweeping it under the rug. Unfortunately it is caught and it's seen, so these guys had an opportunity and they wanted to react to it in a very strong way and wouldn't feel right if they didn't. This is a very genuine act on their part, and they are doing an excellent job demonstrating that peace and love around the country for races and religions and inclusion for everybody. They are doing a great job at demonstrating that.”

On the reaction from recruits:

“It has been different. Some here lately, more and more are saying that they are very respectful and thankful of the stance that you have taken and the way that you have reacted to it, and if you can affect change then it will be positive.”?

On people wondering about the punishments of Joe Mixon versus the students in this case:?

“All situations are different, and I think that the president addressed that early today.”

On how they have come together since the video:

“I think that they have done a great job. It has taken a lot of work. These guys here have put in a lot of effort and time to have the right stance and the right message. They have worked through the night and it wasn't just thrown together. These guys put a lot of time into what the message is and how they can affect change, and how they want to go about doing it.”

On if the practice schedules after spring break next week:

“We will work on that when we get back and what these guys are ready to do. I know they are anxious. They are serious about the work on the field as well, but again they will continue to have a stance and have a statement when they return as well.”

On how the video of a player's reaction on social media was addressed:

“That is not to talk about. Who am I, or who is anyone, to address someone's level of reaction to something that could be so hurtful.”

On if the apology has meant anything to the players:

“I don't know. I think that it is fair to say as strong as they feel about it all. I think their main concern is, how far up the chain does this go? Where is this being taught and learned? In their eyes, this is learned behavior and it is learned somewhere. Is it learned at a national level? Is it learned just here? Is it learned around the country? I believe that is a fair question to ask.”