Saw this posted on twitter today:
https://twitter.com/UMGRIZZLIES/status/1323642927415922690
Also a link to the article:
https://gogriz.com/news/2020/11/3/general-griz-student-athletes-will-be-unified-in-what-they-wear.aspx
https://twitter.com/UMGRIZZLIES/status/1323642927415922690
The patch was designed by members of Montana's Athletics Diversity & Inclusion Committee (ADIC). The committee, which was formed earlier this fall, has been meeting for more than a month now. Among the initiatives the group has worked through have been a mission statement; implementing a monthly brown-bag-lunch-style conversation for any student-athletes, coaches and staff members to have open dialogue; and a unity walk, which is currently in the planning stages.
One of the most visible things, though – at least to those outside the Adams Center walls – will be the uniform patch.
"I think it's important because it's a visible way to show what we stand for," said Garrett Graves, a safety on Montana's football team.
After several mock designs were created and discussed, the final patch that was voted on by the committee is an outline of the state of Montana with three words and the Griz script inside it: equality, justice, unity.
The words are three of the committee's most important pillars and part of its mission statement.
"The words showcase what we stand for and what we believe in," Eiden said. "The unity part is huge, because we're uniting together to make sure that people of color – and it's not just black people – feel included. Unity shows that you're willing to step out of your bubble to think about another race or another person, that you have the humility to step away from your opinions and put yourself in someone else's situation."
The concept of the patch originated from a similar idea from Graves.
"Listening in the meetings, I had heard from a lot of my teammates of color that the biggest thing they need and want is to feel comfortable on campus, and knowing that there's a place for those conversations," Graves said. "I was trying to brainstorm ideas of ways we could do that, and the idea to sell bracelets came to mind."
Also a link to the article:
https://gogriz.com/news/2020/11/3/general-griz-student-athletes-will-be-unified-in-what-they-wear.aspx