Grambling State University may have just thrown the first blow in the fight for justice and fair treatment of student athletes all across the nations.
On Tuesday, Oct. 15 GSU football players met with administration to discuss condition with their athletic complex, equipment usage, travel arraignments, and overall funding for the department. Once the players’ demands weren’t heard and taken seriously GSU players’ ultimately walked out causing the team to skip required practice and forfeit last Saturday’s game with Jackson State University.
This all happening after head coach Doug Williams, former Grambling State University quarterback, was fired and interim head coach Dennis Winston was reassigned, which for many players was the last straw.
Grambling State University has experienced a severe decline in performance just two years after winning the SWAC (South West Atlantic Conference) championship. To be specific, the team has lost 12 of their last 18 games to NCAA opponents. However, many players felt that the firing of Williams was unjust and rash and that the administration could have provided the players with resources to bounce back from their losing streak instead of responding to the situation the way they did.
The players even went so far as writing a letter to the administration describing the poor conditions in their athletic facilities, which for many players, were hazardous to their health. Players discussed mold and mildew on floors and faulty weights. The players even went so far as to express their concern with the lack of Gatorade and Muscle Milk available to them. However, their claims fell on deaf ears, according to the players.
On Monday Oct.21 the players announced that they would continue practice and opted to play Texas Southern University on Saturday, Oct.26. The decision was prompted by a conversation the players had with former head coach Williams.
What does this mean for other GSU academic programs and HBCUs? Will PVAMU be next to boycott its administration? “I may not have the exact statistic, not just our athletic program but our academic programs are not being funded sufficiently,” said Donnie Moreland, a junior sociology major.
“The truth is federal funding has decreased across the nation and with only 8 percent HBCU alumni giving back nationally, it is no secret that school like GSU, PVAMU, FAMU and the rest are struggle to survive,” commented Moreland.
Now that GSU boycott is over will the players’ continue to be on a losing strike or will these recent events help push the players toward much needed victories? All we can do is wait and see.