By Ellie Lieberman (MVC Intern)
Embracing the Black Lives Matter Movement
Illinois State Women’s Basketball Coach Kristen Gillespie took time to reflect this summer after the death of George Floyd, and the rise of Black Lives Matter protests. Then, she picked up the phone and contacted women of color on her team and staff.
“I immediately reached out to the women of color because I knew those were the women hurting the most,” Gillespie said during the MVC Women’s Round Table in October. “I was a little embarrassed I hadn’t done this sooner,”
Gillespie’s willingness to learn more about racial injustice in America and create a space for discussion is representative of what makes The Valley special. She admitted to not knowing everything about race relations in America, but was willing to take the next step to learn more.
Later this summer, Gillespie included bi-weekly diversity training for her squad, and created a platform where players and coaches of color could talk about experiences they had with law enforcement and systemic racism.
“It was tough to hear Mariyah [Brawner-Henley], our assistant’s experience with police, to hear Juju’s [Juliunn Redmond’s] experience with police… it was an eye-opener. We talked a lot about white privilege and that was a term a few of our players had never heard of.
Though Gillespie made a conscientious decision to create space for conversations for the first time ever, several coaches of color have felt a personal connection to the Black Lives Matter movement since birth.
“It’s important to say [Black Lives Matter] because those are the lives right now that are in danger. When people cannot say Black Lives Matter, I think that’s adding to the problem,” Coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton said. “It is Black lives that are being attacked.”
Since coming to Springfield, a predominantly white city, working towards racial equality has consistently been a priority of Agugua-Hamilton’s. She works extensively with men’s basketball coach, Dana Ford, to bring in speakers that will push the envelope in regards to critical thinking surrounding race and diversity. She recently had Springfield police officers come to help change the narrative surrounding law enforcement, and showcase the humans behind the profession. Coach Mox is not alone in prioritizing the importance of continuous education regarding racial injustices in America.
Northern Iowa head coach Tanya Warren is continuing to encourage open dialogue in Cedar Falls. Her team jumped into a 21-day racial equality challenge and participated in a Unity Walk. But even as the protests of the summer have quieted down, their efforts don’t wane. They are continuing to share TED talks, news articles, or relevant songs related to the Black Lives Matter movement. And, across the board in the MVC, female coaches feel passionate that their student-athletes can be on the forefront of change.
“There’s so much hope with this generation,” Gillespie said. “Not only do they want change, but they’re demanding it. They are going to be the change we need in this world.”
Female Empowerment at the Highest Power
The Missouri Valley Conference is the only conference at the Division I level in which nine of 10 head women’s basketball coaches are females. To have strong, motivated women at the forefront of successful Division I programs is not something that goes unnoticed for the coaches and players in The Valley.
“I feel fortunate to be around so many strong women in this conference, Loyola head coach Kate Achter said. “I am really grateful that our players get to experience female role models at a high level.”
The depth of motivating women in power in the MVC cannot be overstated. Indiana State head coach Vicki Hall played in the WNBA and overseas and was named to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. Kristen Gillespie of Illinois State is not only breaking gender barriers, but is one of few openly gay head basketball coaches, and also a mother, at the Division I level.
“When I was in college, I remember I didn’t see a ton of Division 1 coaches that were moms. What I can tell you is that I know for a fact that I didn’t see a gay female coach who was a mother,” Gillespie said. “I don’t care what it looks like, you can have it all. I get emotional because we’ve come so far.”
Not only does having female coaches, and especially those of diverse backgrounds, matter in terms of inspiring younger generations, but it translates to increased eyes on the game of women’s basketball.
“We do have an amazing game and it’s evolved to a bigger and better product,” Southern Illinois head coach Cindy Stein said.
Stein is not wrong because across the board, viewership for women’s basketball and in particular collegiate basketball has soared. The Valley experienced a 260% rise in games watched on ESPN+ and ESPN3 last season before the season ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The future is bright for female basketball coaches in any league, and that all starts here with strong representation in The Valley.