New SEC council promotes racial equity and social justice

The SEC announced the formation of a new committee on Thursday, a league-wide body that will “identify resources, outline strategies and assist with implementation of efforts that, when taken together, will promote racial equity and social justice, while also fostering diversity, helping overcome racism and pursuing non-discrimination in intercollegiate athletics.”

I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS.

The committee, called the SEC Council on Racial Equity & Social Justice, features several prominent Mizzou coaches and athletes, including HC Cuonzo Martin, Mitchell Smith, Larry Three-Sticks, and Hayley Frank, as well as Sarah Thompson and Danny Kovac (swimming). Kamrhan Farwell, the Vice Chancellor for Communications & Marketing, is also on the committee. Among other council members? Vandy football coach Derek Mason, South Carolina WBB coach Dawn Staley and Vandy baseball coach Tim Corbin.

I’m honestly not surprised Hayley Frank was named part of this committee after this tweet in the wake of the killing of George Floyd. As soon as she was announced, I went right back and re-read it. I recommend reading it again; it’s so powerful.

And given what they’ll be addressing and working towards, OF COURSE Cuonzo Martin is involved. A lot of the ideas he’s shared in the past few months (most of which I have shared with you all) reference the kinds of goals the committee has.

From SEC Commish Greg Sankey:

“An important movement has been ignited around the equitable treatment of all underrepresented minorities, and the SEC is determined to be a leader in the pursuit of meaningful and lasting change... With the Council as our guide, we will develop an action agenda built on the foundation that all are created equal and ensure this truth echoes across our stadiums, our arenas, our campuses, our communities, our states and our nation.”

The council, according to the story on MUTigers.com, will initially focus on the following strategic goals:

• Increasing Access and Representation for Underrepresented Minorities
• Providing Enhanced Support for Underrepresented Minorities
• Improving Education on Racial and Social Issues for All Stakeholders
• Deepening Commitments to Local Communities
• Raising Awareness of Racial Inequity and Social Injustice

All student-athlete leadership and advisory council members will be required to participate in and discuss racial equity and social justice in their meetings, and identified leaders (such as the Mizzou athletes listed above) will then discuss it with the rest of the council.

“Today’s youth are our leaders and change agents of tomorrow, and by listening, asking and seeking their insights and counsel, we have begun the shared journey toward racial equality,” said Sankey.

This is, honestly, so so so so so cool. Where can I sign up?

On to the Links!

And remember... #MaskUp

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Yesterday at Rock M

• Aaron continued the 20 for 20 countdown with # 17, Tiger Bait.
• Kortay published the first of his two-part series on Pandemic Football.
• Sammy wrote about the 2011 quarterback competition, because, you know.... we’ve actually been here before.
• Coming up: The 20 for 20 continues! Check back later this morning. There’s also a Rock M round table coming, and a new Dive Cuts pod!

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More Links:

Football/SEC/CFB Landscape

• St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Dave was back with a new weekly chat and wrote about how Chism and Hazelton have arrived with urgency. He and Ben Fred united for a new episode of the Eye on the Tigers pod to discuss Drink’s animatedness (that’s probably not a word) and the quarterback quandary. Ben Fred talked a bit about football (and other topics) in his weekly BenFred’s Five piece.
• PowerMizzou (free): Gabe & Mitch were back with new football hot taeks in their Blowing Smoke Presented by Weston Tobacco series, which focused on some football-related topics. They also put out a new episode of the Power Mizzou Podcast, where they talked about... you guessed it... football!
• Columbia Missourian: Max Baker wrote that with a big hole to fill, Daniel Parker Jr is likely to become the Tigers’ top tight end.
• Columbia Tribune: Eric Blum wrote about the experience Keke Chism and Damon Hazelton are bringing to the receiving corps.
• KC Star: Souichi wrote about what each of Mizzou’s four grad transfers bring to the Tigers.
• The Athletic ($$): Peter Baugh answered all fans’ mailbag questions.
• This is super cool. Here’s a “Day in the Life at the New Zou” featuring none other than Daniel Parker Jr.

• Remember when Coach Drinkwitz said all newbies would have to earn their numbers? Well, three newbies have earned them, according to Mizzou social media and Saturday Down South’s Adam Spencer.
• Thinking you’re going to be tailgating for games in Mississippi? Think again!!! On behalf of Dave Matter’s twitter (read the thread):

• USA Today’s Dan Wolken wrote an opinion piece about how, as COVID-19 grips more campuses, college football leaders keep changing the rules.
• No practice for Vandy, as they have had multiple COVID positives. And NC State didn’t wait long to move their classes online.

Other Mizzou Sports

• Columbia Missourian: Adam Cole wrote about the SEC’s new committee on racial equity and social justice.
• From Mizzou Hoops’ twitter... love to see it. Also, I forgot Zo coached Josh Richardson.

Mizzou in the Pros (I went on a deep-dive)

• Evan Boehm news: Evan Boehm is the Bills’ dependable lineman who could steal a Bills starting job, according to Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic.
• Connor McGovern news: SB Nation’s Gang Green Nation took a look at Jets newcomer, Connor McGovern. According to Olivia Landis of NewYorkJets.com, McGovern is enjoying that it’s all about winning here.
• Aldon Smith news: This makes me happy to hear. Aldon Smith has been through A LOT (and much of it self-inflicted), and I’m glad he seems to be figuring it out. He always was a gifted athlete. Steven Mullanax of FanSided’s The Landry Hat asked new Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy about Aldon Smith, and his answer blew him away. John Breech of CBS Sports.com wrote about Smith getting serious hype after five-year absence from NFL: ‘He’s a monster.’
• Markus Golden news: Charles Votolo of FanSided’s GMEN HQ said that Markus Golden’s attitude should be commended.
• Charles Harris news: D. Ledbetter or the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote Harris is a scheme-fit for the Falcons’ defense.
• Jordan Clarkson news: Jordan Clarkson is balling out in the playoffs, according to Taylor Griffin of SB Nation’s SLC Dunk. The Jordan Clarkson experience is always a ride, he said, but it’s even more fun in the playoffs.
• Michael Porter Jr news: Quenton Albertie of the SB Nation’s The Denver Stiffs said that MPJ’s self-awareness is promising as the Nuggets continue in the playoffs. Andy Yamashita of The Denver Post wrote about how MPJ found little solace in his strong offensive performance. “28 points doesn’t really mean anything when you get beat,” he said.
• Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms news: Happy to hear that Tre’Vour has been taken off the COVID-IR list. He must have really struggled with virus, having been on the list for over three weeks.

Interesting/Non-Mizzou News

These are some of the best sports stories & tidbits I found regarding some goings-on in sports and the world— Enjoy!

• Local/Regional sports news: From The Associated Press (via the Missourian), the Chiefs will prohibit Native American imagery moving forward. No headdresses, no face paint, y’all (which I hope you weren’t partaking in, anyway). Also from the AP, the St. Louis Blues face elimination tonight. From ESPN’s Adam Teicher, Patrick Mahomes continues to expand array of unconventional throws.
• The Cards have some new familiar fans in the stands!

• At the request of a Rock M reader, I’m sharing this deeply disturbing new Title IX rule that went into effect on August 14. According to Time Magazine, the new Title IX rule essentially allows accused sexual assailants to hide evidence against them. This is terrible. Absolutely terrible.
• Another day, another shoutout to JJ Redick and his pod. The newest Old Man and the Three podcast featured Sue Bird, and damn... it was so good. On the phrase “shut up and dribble” JJ had this to say:

• This made my WEEK. OMG, those pandas.

• If you’re looking to sign up for ESPN+, Rock M Nation now has an affiliate link: click Here for ESPN+ Now! (** RockMNation has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though RockMNation may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.**)