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Colleges

UT Athletes Demand Broad Change, Including To School Song

A group of Univ. of Texas student-athletes on Friday posted on Twitter a two-page letter "seeking significant changes with the UT campus and in athletics," according to Chuck Carlton of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Some of the requests include "longstanding flashpoints in the school’s racial history, including renaming Robert Lee Moore Hall, Littlefield Hall, Painter Hall and James Hogg Auditorium" as well as the "replacement of some campus statues with new sculptures representing racial diversity." Athletic-specific requests include "designating 0.5%" (more than $1M) of athletic department revenue to Black Lives Matter and replacing "'The Eyes of Texas' with another song and not requiring athletes to sing it." The letter suggested that "without a commitment from the university, the athletes would not participate in the recruiting or donor events." The song "The Eyes of Texas" has been a "staple at football and other athletic events for decades and is revered by many alumni, major donors and fans" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/13). ESPN.com's Dave Wilson noted the song, which is played before and after every UT football game, has "come under scrutiny in recent years because it was first performed in a minstrel show" in 1903 (ESPN.com, 6/12). 

TEXAS WRITERS' REAX: In San Antonio, Mike Finger wrote under the header, "With Overdue Audacity, UT Players Push For Change." He thought some of the athletes' requests were "long overdue, and some of them were outside of the box, and some of them were unrealistic" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 6/14). In Dallas, Kevin Sherrington wrote under the header, "College Athletes Are Speaking Out On Troublesome Campus Traditions. It’s Time To Listen" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/14). 

NATIONAL HEADLINES: In N.Y., Blinder & Witz reacted to the broader movement for racial change taking place in schools across the nation, writing under the header, "College Athletes, Phones In Hand, Force Shift In Protest Movement" (N.Y TIMES, 6/13). In Boston, Tara Sullivan went with, "College Athletes' Voices Being Heard On Racism" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/14). In S.F., Ann Killion went with, "Athletes Use Their Unique Positions To Amplify Calls For Change, Justice" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 6/14). In Orlando, Mike Bianchi wrote under the header, "College Football Coaches Better Adapt To Empowered, Outspoken Players" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/14). 

ACC SCHOOLS PUT WORDS INTO ACTION: In South Carolina, Conor Hughes reported several Clemson football players organized a demonstration which began at the school's Bowman Field. Players "marched through downtown Clemson, sign in hand, with about 3,000 other people in a call for racial equality" (GREENVILLE NEWS, 6/14). In Tallahassee, Curt Weiler reported hundreds of people showed up for the the FSU football-led Unity Walk on Saturday, with the "vast majority of the FSU football team leading the pack and everyone wearing masks" (TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, 6/14).

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