In a WWW.TRIANGLETRIBUNE.COM reversal, The Triangle Gilbert TRIBUNE leaves Sports SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 2021 – PAGE 1B DMU program NCAA In a stunning reversal, Ann- Marie Gilbert has left the De- troit Mercy women’s Co-ed kickball leagues inclusion basketball program. Gilbert was thought to have weathered the storm of forum player protests and a can- celed season due to a pleth- growing in popularity ora of allegations. The entire team was gone and Gilbert returns was planning to start from scratch. By Gail Dent But DMU announced on NCAA.org Tuesday that the former Vir- The NCAA office of inclusion ginia Union women’s coach hosted an energized Inclusion had left the pro- Forum last week, with more than gram, six 4,300 participants registering to months after learn more about diversity, abuse and equity and inclusion topics in NCAA violations athletics and higher education. allegations. The forum, which generally Athletic direc- draws around 600 attendees in tor Robert person, returned in a virtual for- Vowels told the mat after the event was canceled BONITTA Free Press that in 2020 due to COVID-19. Gilbert’s depar- BEST This year’s theme was “A Vi- ture was not re- sion for Change: Empowering lated to the Voices and Rising to Action.” The student-athletes or the NCAA event also had a creative twist and that they were working each of the three days, featuring out contractual details. former Bethel College student- Of course, nobody believes athlete and NCAA intern Leland him. Especially since he took Brown as the virtual emcee. This Gilbert’s side throughout the year’s forum drew more interest ordeal. And then, with the as it took place on the heels of entire roster gone and Gilbert the rise of national social justice set to begin anew, she ups issues, anti-transgender state and leaves over a “personnel legislation, gender equity con- matter?” Yeah, right. COURTESY The Elite Cleats won the first-ever Goombay Raleigh-Durham Co-ed Kickball Cham- cerns, and continued attention Just as big in the news de- around promoting more diver- partment is Gilbert’s interim pionship. Learn more about kickball in the area at www.goombayrd.com. sity, equity and inclusion in in- replacement – a name quite tercollegiate athletics. familiar to St. Augustine’s “We had tremendous engage- athletics: LaTanya Collins. ment from the NCAA member- Collins, a Virginia State ship and other partners for the alumna, was the Falcons Inclusion Forum’s first time in head coach for one season COLLEGE CORNER the virtual space,” said Amy Wil- (2006-07). She turned around son, managing director of inclu- a previous six-win season sion. “You could feel the energy into 18 wins. But the drama each day through the keynote was off the court. speakers and the educational I’m not going to rehash all sessions, which provided mem- that here, except to say the bership with strategies on how stories were stuff that Holly- they can be more inclusive on wood could have a produced their campuses and in their com- a series. munities. The membership had But Collins’ “departure” the opportunity to learn, con- didn’t derail her career. She’s sider significant diversity, equity held assistant jobs at Rad- and inclusion issues from differ- ford University, several high ent perspectives, and then take schools in Virginia, Coppin ideas back to their departments State, Virginia Tech, and jun- to share with their colleagues ior colleges. She joined Gil- and fellow student-athletes.” bert at DMU in June 2020. Yorri Berry, a spoken word art- The question now is, will ist, delivered pointed and inspi- Gilbert ever coach again? rational messages in a poetic and What a sad saga to go from fiery presentation to open the the highs at Virginia Union to forum. She encouraged people to this. confront their fears and levels of discomfort, while also pressing Who needs the NCAA? toward further change and being While student-athletes con- open to doing things in different tinue to fight the NCAA for ways. Her session, which also re- NIL monetary rights and the flected on her life experiences, respect of its female student- was one of the most popular of athletes, many top basketball the event. recruits may just tell the or- Powerful messages followed ganization to shove it! from Johnnetta B. Cole, president Overtime, a media com- emerita of Spelman College and pany that covers high school Bennett College for Women, and basketball, earlier this year Howard Ross, an unconscious raised $80 million from in- bias and diversity expert. Both vestors like Jeff Bezos, Drake talked about the current state of and Kevin Durant to launch a diversity, equity and inclusion professional high school work and where matters might basketball league called be headed in the future. They Overtime Elite. said individuals tend to focus The 30 players between the only on systemic issues that ages of 16-18 will be in train- might be political or directed to- ing, so to speak, for the NBA ward business functions. To Draft. And since they won’t move the needle, however, they be eligible for the NCAA, they said awareness needs to occur will be paid an annual base across many landscapes. salary of $100,000 plus In addition to providing learn- shares in the company. ing opportunities, the forum of- Players also will be able to fered students-athletes a profit from NIL rights and re- platform to be presenters and ceive scholarship money for St. Augustine’s women sign 3 panelists, while also allowing college if a pro career is not them to share their stories. “My in the cards. Story Matters: Elevating the Stu- St. Augustine’s new 20 at 11 a.m. The event will kansas-Pine Bluff. dent-Athlete Voice” was a session women’s basketball coach be streamed on the SWAC Bozeman was a three-year What about us? that allowed for an in-depth con- Ebony Tanner has added Digital Network. Conference assistant at Oral Roberts High school recruits are not versation around the various three new recruits. newcomers Florida A&M and University. “…The vision the only ones with other op- identities that student-athletes Raquel Cassidy is a 5-foot- Bethune-Cookman will join and standard will be at a tions. The Professional Colle- live. Students also participated in 11 UNC-Asheville transfer. the group. high level,” said the Arkan- giate League begins this a three-session program called Cassidy played one season * The annual Triangle Pig- sas native. Our basketball summer in Washington, D.C. “Sports for Social Change,” which at Asheville and started in skin Preview returns on July team at Pine Bluff will do The PCL will feature teams centered on how they can con- five games. She also played 23 at Embassy Suites in things the right way with from the East Coast and pay tinue using their influence and at College of Central Florida. Cary. The luncheon show- character and passion.” players between $50,000 to collective voices to bring about Vernisha Robin is a two- cases the Triangle’s three $150,000. They also will be change in society. year transfer from Pensacola ACC coaches, East Carolina NCAT back in WNIT able to profit from their NIL. The Inclusion Forum had a few State College. She is a 6-foot- and North Carolina Central North Carolina A&T The PCL gives players new session offerings this year. 2 forward. coach Trei Oliver. women have been invited to another option besides going More than 30 chancellors and My’Shiah McQueen aver- the 2021 WNIT Preseason overseas or joining the NBA presidents participated in a ses- aged 16.5 points, nine re- SIAC returns Tournament in Manhattan, G League. However, they sion specifically for them to hear bounds and 2.6 assists per The Southern Intercolle- Kansas. The Aggies will must be enrolled in either a updates on inclusion programs game as a senior at Smith- giate Athletic Conference meet Western Kentucky two- or four-year college to and issues that impact athletics field-Selma High School. announced this week a re- Nov. 12, UT Martin Nov. 14 be eligible, which is why it’s and higher education. The forum * In football, a 7-on-7 foot- turn to regular season and and Kansas State Nov. 15. a summer league. also welcomed more than 230 ball camp is June 24-25 at 9 championship play in the NCAT won’t be defending its The league has already athletics diversity and inclusion a.m. for grades nine through fall. There are some rules MEAC title since the univer- signed a media rights deal designees to the event, where re- 12. Then, on June 28, a pro- and regulations. Visit the- sity is now in the Big South with Next Level Sports and sults from a membership survey spect camp from 10 a.m. to siac.com for more info. Conference. Oh well. Entertainment and its digital on the ADID role were provided. 3 p.m. for the same grades. streaming branch For The Stressing the importance of the Contact coach David UAPB new coach MSU gets transfer Fans. designation and how to stay Bowser. A Bozeman is back in Morgan State has snagged Whether the two leagues better engaged in the role were HBCU coaching. No, not Saint Joseph’s transfer pan out or not, it’s high time discussion topics, as well. Media days Todd Bozeman, formerly at Myles Douglas. Douglas is somebody gave the NCAA a Supporting the mental health taste of its own medicine.