Troy Athletics Announces TroyCARES to Promote a Culture of Collaboration and Respect

TROY, Alabama – The Troy Athletics Department and the Troy Student-Athlete Advisory Committee announced Tuesday TroyCARES, a comprehensive plan to prioritize communication, action, respect, education and social responsibility among Troy's student-athletes, coaches and staff.

"I am tremendously proud of our student-athletes, staff and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for developing this program and campaign," Director of Athletics Brent Jones said. "I am also extremely grateful for the hard work of SAAC President Alexis Garrett and Director of Compliance Leah Brundidge who spearheaded this very important initiative. This program truly defines what OneTROY means and stands for."

Operating under the core values: Communicate, Action, Respect, Educate, Social Responsibility, TroyCARES is a program is to promote a culture of collaboration, empathy, inclusivity and respect. The program is designed to unite all members of the Troy Family from diverse backgrounds to fulfill the OneTROY motto.

"TroyCARES is an action plan and extension of the 'TROJAN WAY' emphasizing caring for one's self and caring for others," Troy Sr. Vice Chancellor for Student Services & Administration Dr. John Schmidt said. "Just as a team member prepares for competition that same member looks after teammates. These small actions build character, trust and love for one another. That's what caring is all about."

All of Troy's teams will display the TroyCARES logo on their uniforms this season in addition to adopting local organizations to partner with throughout the year for service projects and other outreach opportunities. In addition, all Troy student-athletes will receive a TroyCARES t-shirt.

"I am so grateful to be a part of an institution that is putting action with their words," Troy SAAC President Alexis Garrett said. "The TroyCARES plan is an example of dedication and hard work from both the student-athletes and the administration. We worked hand in hand to organize something that will allow us to be a part of the change both now and for years to come."

TroyCARES will spread its message with social media campaigns; student-athlete and staff mixers; mental health and counseling services; education seminars and leadership trainings; post-playing career preparation to include resume workshops, fashion shows and mock interviews; athletic alumni engagement; a Unity Walk; voter registration; a day of community service to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; speaker series; roundtable discussions; attending Troy University's Leadership Conference; Celebrating African-American History Month; visiting the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, Ala., that is owned and operated by Troy University.

Marc Davis – Track & Field Head Coach
"TroyCARES is something the university as a whole can benefit from. Athletics is what this country should pay close attention to when it comes to how to achieve racial equality. People from all walks of life working together, sweating together, and sacrificing TOGETHER for the same goal is what should be the goal of all men and women. To Leah (Brundidge), Santiago (Pinzon) and the Troy SAAC, thank you for your work and commitment to equality. Together, we can attempt to tackle the divide and bring us together."

Chip Lindsey – Football Head Coach
"We have some truly amazing leaders among our student-athlete population, and I commend them, Leah Brundidge, Santiago Pinzon and our other administration leaders for detailing out an impressive TroyCARES program. We have had candid conversations within our program about social injustice and standing up for your beliefs and passions. I look forward to continuing those conversations and doing all we can as a program to support our players and the TroyCARES program."

Chanda Rigby – Women's Basketball Head Coach
"I am proud of our SAAC for the job they did in creating our TroyCARES campaign. It is a program that all Trojans can work in to become more educated and active around building racial equality in our society."

Dr. Derrick Brewster – Associate Dean of Student Services
"The TroyCARES initiative, in concert with the works of the Trojan Way, fosters a greater understanding for all members of the Troy University community to continue the sense of urgency to transform lives for the benefit of the society for which we live in."

Troy University Athletics

Troy Athletics Announces TroyCARES to Promote a Culture of Collaboration and Respect

Players Mentioned

Alexis Garrett

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