Our group has been investing in learning more about the BIPOC experience throughout the past 10+ months; something that we acknowledge that we had overlooked previously. We have welcomed a number of speakers who have shared their experiences with racism – in and out of sport – including current and former York varsity athletes from hockey and other sports. We are determined to provide our allyship and continue to look at ways that we can become more involved in assisting in making Hockey a more diverse and inclusive sport.    
- Russell Herrington, Men’s Hockey  


I’m proud to be a part of an institution that values diversity and inclusion. While not perfect, together we strive to make our community a place where all students, faculty, and staff feel valued and respected. I am proud of the efforts of York and in particular our student-athletes in the BIVSAA for taking action to make positive change pertaining to issues of race. As a coach, I feel strongly that it is my role to be an ally to Black and Indigenous students, faculty, and staff. I love the sport of ice hockey but it is important to acknowledge that our sport has much work to do to become more inclusive. I am committed to being an agent of positive change to that end.    
- Daniel Church, Women’s Hockey

 
Currently, since the summer our program has engaged and committed ourselves to further difficult conversations and to changing the spaces we enter. Each month we take on an activity to stimulate conversation; we have gone through role play provided by anti-racism training at YU, had many of our athletes and coaches sharing their stories, and this month have committed to educating ourselves with black history in Canada. It has been an experience for us all and I cannot wait for you to build upon this within our program and at YU!  
- Jennifer Neilson, Women’s Volleyball  


“White silence is violence”, means in the presence of racist ideals and/or discrimination, by not speaking out against them,  we all perpetuate the pattern.  To stand by and say nothing indicates neutrality.  Silence speaks volumes.  It is vital to bring awareness to racial injustice and for all of us to do better and to be better; to check in, be willing to listen and understand , have tough conversations, and speak out.  It is up to each of us to ensure our Black and Indigenous athletes know we see them, we hear them, and we stand with them for racial justice.
- Athletic Clinic Team