Griz student-athletes will be unified in what they wear

Earlier this summer, the NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel announced that student-athletes can wear patches on their uniforms to honor causes they support, including social justice initiatives.

Like many Griz student-athletes, Mimi Eiden was excited when she heard the news. She was excited, but unsure what would come of it – if anything.

"It was really cool to see that the NCAA showed that they cared what is going on," said Eiden, a senior on the Griz soccer team who transferred to Montana from North Dakota. "It's a great concept, but it means little if there's no action."

Schools now had clearance from the NCAA to make alterations to their uniforms, but it didn't necessarily mean anything would be done about it. While no Montana teams have begun formal competition this fall, there has been a mixed message among those across the country who are currently playing. Some teams wear a patch, while others have not. For some programs, it's split among its student-athletes with some representing a patch and others choosing not to.

That won't be the case for Montana.

All Griz student-athletes will wear a patch on their home and road uniforms in 2020-21 to draw attention to systemic racism and social injustices throughout the country.

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."

Graves was prepared to cover the cost of the bracelets and donate all proceeds back to the committee. Instead, the athletics department found funds for the bracelets, which have begun being distributed to student-athletes, coaches and staff in the department.

Like the patch, the black bracelet has the three words and the Griz logo in white writing.

"When people see those bracelets, they know they have an ally," Graves said. "I wanted to build a feeling of a safe community."

It's more than words on a bracelet. It's about taking action, starting dialogue, and walking out this very simple truth. People matter, listen well, and love them better. #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/wERHTFa4uF
— Sarah O'Brien (@S_Obie1) November 3, 2020

The effects of the bracelet and patch are already being felt throughout the Griz programs. Recently, Eiden and teammate Alexa Coyle – another member of ADIC – met with their teammates after a practice to talk about the patch and bracelets, and their meanings. It was important to them to not just be a team that follows what's going on, but to know the meaning behind something.

Eiden challenged her teammates to think about what equality, justice and unity mean to them before they wear the words on their wrists or uniforms.

"It's important to know the actual meaning of why you have the patch on and what it means to you," Eiden said. "If someone walks up to me after a match, I need to have an answer of what the patch means and why it's important to wear it."

The hope is that the vision can spread further than just those inside the athletics department, but to the greater campus and Griz community.

"The main message I want is that unity is expected. That's the standard," Graves said. "Hopefully it sends a message to the fans that any racism will not be tolerated. Hopefully it sends a message to those at the university, and those who want to come to the university, that this is a safe, inclusive place."

University of Montana Athletics

Griz student-athletes will be unified in what they wear

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