Charting the Course: Akil Stokes

If you would have asked me the day after graduation "was college worth it?" My answer would have been a confident "no." I say this because, after all the celebrations, hugs and pictures, what I was left with was no idea what I wanted my future to be and a letter that told me how much I owed in student loans and when I had to start paying it back. 13 years later (man I'm old) my answer has changed as I now realize that the true value of college wasn't about the degree or the career, rather it was about the experience and how crucial it was in allowing me to grow into the business owner, coach, husband and father that I am today.

As someone who attended a high school that literally had two non-black/Hispanic students in it, you can imagine the culture shock that college was. In fact, I nearly got into a fight with another student on move-in day because where I was from making eye contact and saying "what's up" meant that we had a problem instead of someone simply showing common courtesy and respect. As I spent more time around different people from different countries, states, ethnicities, social classes, sexualities, etc. I began to notice that we had a lot more similarities than differences. When you take all of the superficial stuff away, we were all young dumb college kids trying to enjoy life, graduate on time and make our last $20 stretch until the end of the semester. What I noticed was that the common goal of survival was something that brought us together.

Athletically, we had even more in common as we shared the joys of wins, the pain of losses and the daily grind of trying to push our bodies and minds to the limit. In a way, it was a blessing in disguise as it forced me to direct the majority of my focus towards schoolwork and training and ignore anything that wasn't pushing me towards my goals. So when asked if I deal with racism I would typically say no. The truth is, I did and I still do on a routine basis, (and I think I speak for a lot of people when I say) it's just gotten to the point where it's so common nature that I tend to ignore it because I see it as just being the norm and there being nothing I can do about it. That is until recently. 

It hit me this summer at the Millersville's Black Lives Matter march when I was having trouble explaining to my 5-year-old son why we were marching and why we (especially black men) have to be cognizant of the way we dress, talk and act. As most 5-year-olds do, he kept asking "why" and I kept struggling to find an answer that would make sense for him while avoiding having "the talk" as I would like for him to keep his innocence just a little bit longer. (For those of you who are unaware of what "the talk" is, essentially, it's a conversation explaining why you will be judged differently and the extra steps that you must take in order to avoid potentially dangerous situations as well as how to handle yourself if you find yourself in one of those situations.) Becoming a father has made me realize that learning how to survive is good and all for me, but just sitting back and conforming does nothing to help improve the world that my children will grow up in.

What's the solution? Honestly, I have no clue, but I can tell you this. What we're most proud of with our track program is our team culture. We've created a safe environment where our student-athletes feel supported, feel comfortable being themselves, aren't afraid of sharing their truths and won't back down from having the uncomfortable conversation. They've also embraced the melting pot that is most athletic teams and are open to listening and learning about different people from different backgrounds. Achieving this doesn't just happen by doing nothing. It took us years to get to this point but throughout the process, our head coach Andy Young has been consistent with making it a priority and now it's turned into more of a tradition as our upperclassmen take pride in maintaining. 

As coaches, we are fortunate to have four years to work with students at a very important time of their lives as they grow from kids to adults and are searching for influence as they try to discover who they really are. These same kids are also going to be the future leaders of this world and if we can plant a small seed in their thoughts now about listening first, not judging and accepting differences, then I'm optimistic about the changes they can help create in the future when it's their turn to pay it forward. 

I am hopeful. 

These times have tested everyone in the country in many different ways. The rise of the coronavirus was devastating to the Millersville community, especially for the athletic department. Some form of positive comes from the fact that we will be back on campus in the fall to be with our teams and will hopefully have the opportunity to compete again. The events over the past month have been very disturbing to watch and have caused an uproar from devastated citizens to seek change in America today. It brings to light what has tried to be brushed under the rug since after the civil rights movement when “everything” was made equal in society. In reality there is still racial inequality in the country today and we must work to end that now.

When it comes to racial injustice, I have always found it hard to wrap my head around how people in the world find it justifiable to hate others because of the color of their skin. Growing up as a half Black, half White person, I have always had a unique perspective and experiences with racial issues and why it matters so much in society today. I have, for the most part, been blessed to be accepted by those around me for who I am and not because of my heritage. Racism is not an inherited trait, but rather taught by those who raise an individual, and it is instilled into them as they grow. This is something that needs to change for us to truly grow as a whole.

One thing we must do now is work for change towards systemic racism and overall racial hate. I have always loved sports because when you’re on a team, it doesn’t matter what you or your teammates look like; You are always able to bond over the good and bad times and form a brotherhood that goes on for the rest of your life. Millersville’s wrestling team is no different in this as I have developed a lot of great relationships and formed a family since walking on to the team two years ago. Wrestling is a very interesting sport when it comes to race. In my decade involved in the sport, I have always been able to count on one hand how many minorities there are in a room during practices. This is not the fault of the sport but rather the participation of minorities in the sport. I bring this up to say the beauty of wrestling is that it does not matter what you look like whether you are black, white, brown, big, little, tall, or short, you will always be accepted and have an opportunity if you are willing to work and grind to be successful.

To end, I ask the questions of why can’t this be how it always is in the world? Why can’t everyone be accepted for who they are regardless of what they look like and be given the fair and equal opportunity to be successful? These are questions we should ask ourselves in society and work to fixed these in order for the world to be a better place. I believe we can be the generation that finally ends the hundreds of years of suffering a single race has endured and better the country.

Over the past few weeks thousands of protests have taken place to incite change within the justice system and spread the message that Black lives matter. The murder of George Floyd has motivated thousands of people in America and numerous countries to speak up for what is right and start making changes in our society regarding how Black people have been treated in our country for hundreds of years. Although many are no longer staying silent about the racism and injustice in America, Black people and other POC have had to deal with racism since the day they were born. I can not imagine what it feels like to live in constant fear because of your skin color. Throughout American history, white men in a position of power have been taking advantage of innocent Black lives long after the abolishment of slavery. This history of racism in our country has made it deadly to go on a run, have a broken taillight, walk home, and even sleep in your own home if you’re black. I’m scared not only for my friends, but for every Black person in America who has had to deal with this.

As a white female growing up I was not exposed to the idea of racism and was not taught about it at a young age. Through my 12 years of education, I grew up in a school district that did not have a lot of diversity. Although I did have many friends that were Black, Hispanic, and Asian, the percentage of students and teachers of color was very low. Throughout the entirety of my educational career I cannot remember learning about Black history until my sophomore year. At that point I was educated only on slavery and small bits of information but did not understand the impact it still has in today’s society. In that class our history teacher, a white male, told the stories of Emmet Till, The Little Rock Nine, and Brown V. Board of Education. Due to my privilege, I’ve been able to learn about these stories, rather than having to experience them myself. 

During my first year at Millersville I found a family on the track and field team. I always had someone I could talk to and ask questions, someone to help me during practice, and someone to help me with statistics questions. This helped me a lot and taught me what it feels like to be a part of something bigger than myself. I now ask my fellow track and field family and all other teams at Millersville to unite and speak up for our Black brother and sisters. The time for change is now!

The last few weeks has  the world upside down! With the killing of George Floyd, I have never felt as broken since these recent events have taken place! I am glad that I was educated the right way and can take steps for a better future for Black Americans! Black lives matter. This is not a movement to diminish other groups but to raise awareness to the social injustice of the Black community. Coming together as a society is what will need to happen to make change. This is so much bigger than black and white; change is ready to take place.  

Being an African American Division II student-athlete has been eventful! Personally, I think that our coach and athletic department promotes equal opportunity for everyone. With myself and three other African Americans males on the team (and a coach included), it helps with being comfortable. Having a team behind you as big as the Marauders makes my time as a wrestler prideful. During this time, with the world being as it is, it is important for everyone--no matter the race, ethnicity or background--to come together for a better tomorrow. We need to win the day as one team, community and University!  

So, in the wake of it all, I am blessed to be in the position I am. I was able to be a part of something bigger than myself and thrive in a new environment with a support system that cares from the school, athletic department and the coaching staff especially. During the recent events both Coach Regner and Coach Whittle called me to see how I was doing. I don’t know about you, but that to me is a family that wants the same thing you do: change and opportunity! Anyone can make a difference no matter how different you may feel. We can fix what is broken. Thanks to Millersville I am becoming greater than and more!  

Being a member of the Millersville women’s track and field program has been one of the greatest honors. I have grown as an individual, an athlete, a friend, a teammate, and a leader. This program has allowed me to find some of my best friends in life all while having the privilege to work beside some of the toughest women I have ever met. These women have shaped me into the athlete and person I am today. They also have taught me to not take life so seriously and make sure that I enjoy each and every day. This was and still is accomplished by the undeniably positive and fun-loving culture our team embodies. 

Our team does not do anything alone. We do it all together. We feel the joy and pain when others achieve their goals and miss them. We cry together, we laugh together, we sweat together, we feel pain together, but best of all we feel hard work pay off together. As a team, the highs and lows are shared, the joy and pain is felt, the hard work pays off, and the laughs are created. College comes with many new experiences and responsibilities; having a team behind you to help you through them allows your college years to be remembered for the positive. Our team is able to not only do this but have fun in the process. One thing that I pride myself in is being on a team where the culture is fueled by love and acceptance is not forced. I like to think that this is because we aren’t afraid to be ourselves around our team. 

At practice, the singing, dancing, goofing around, and laughing is always present without a doubt. We get our work done, but we make sure to have fun while doing it. Whether that is by dancing and singing in between reps or screaming calls to each other across the track, we have fun. This makes practice an escape from our crazy lives as student-athletes and the baggage it comes with. It is easy to get lost in the craziness that comes with being a student-athlete. You are held to a different standard, not because you are better than your non-athlete classmates, but because you have agreed to represent your team and Millersville University in a positive and respectful manner. This means long practice days, study hours, meetings, extra stress, sore muscles, long weekend trips, late-night competitions, and long bus rides filled with catching up on homework. 

All of these things can cause individuals to feel overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, and wiped out. One thing that I have found to help these aspects is simply going to practice. At practice, I am surrounded by teammates and coaches that I know will support me, lift me up, and love me no matter what day it is. On my worst of days, I know that at practice I can let go of the burdens I carry and have a good time with the teammates that have become my family. Knowing you will laugh and enjoy practice makes going to practice a little easier on the days that you feel mentally or physically drained. And as many of us can tell you, a practice can make some of our harder days seem easier. Our team practices never occur without each member leaving with a smile on their face. It is important to enjoy your days as a student-athlete--trust me it goes by faster than you would like--and this team makes that possible.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King

My name is Jaden Faulkner and I am entering my third year at Millersville University. When I heard about the opportunity to be heard through a blog, without hesitation, I knew I couldn’t pass this opportunity. I wanted to use this platform to not only talk about the way that I feel but also speak on behalf of my teammates! We have a team that is very diverse. We acknowledge that we all come from different cultures and races. All we see is one family working towards a goal and having fun building the many relationships that we develop while on a team. As an African American male, and just like the majority of my teammates, our whole team realizes that we can no longer sit in silence. 

As a student-athlete on the Millersville basketball team, the idea of one not seeing one for who they are but what they look like is unheard of to me. It is unheard of because all we do is love one another and want to see every individual accomplish their goals. We have talked and had conversations regarding these topics during our time away from each other. It has actually made us closer and has strengthened the bond of our team. The love and support that I have received from my fellow teammates and coaches--regardless of their color or race--is second to none. It’s easy during these times to come apart and become divided. But my team has come together as one, making us stronger, and in turn, a better team. 

As one of the leaders on the Millersville basketball team, I want everyone to know that we are united as a team! We want to do our part in each of our respective communities and in our Millersville community to help move forward positive change. One thing that we have talked about as a team is that not everyone is racist but many are uneducated. It’s going to take a lot as a society to make a change, but I know we can do it. I know there will be better times ahead. I have faith, and I am confident in this, but I also know that to have better times tomorrow, we need to make changes today!

The recent events that have happened in our country over the past few weeks regarding police brutality and George Floyd have been very sickening to me. As an African American male, I have never been so hurt to watch a man have his life taken away while saying “I can’t breathe” by the people that are here to serve and protect. As a young African American male, I am truly scared. I am not only scared for myself, but my brother, my friends, my family who might have to deal with the loss of someone close to them just for looking the way that I look. I have been able to gain so much education on this topic while being home with my family. I have learned that it isn’t acceptable to be silent anymore. The time for change is now! We need everyone to come together as people, united, regardless of race or color to start reform today for a better outcome tomorrow. 

Growing up in Norristown, right outside of Philadelphia, I have been blessed to be introduced to some amazing people regardless of their race, color, religion through the beautiful game of basketball. As a member of Millersville basketball, I have never felt anything but love and respect from my teammates and coaching staff. I want to say thank you to my teammates for that. We have a team that is very diverse, with student-athletes from many different backgrounds, and we have truly become one big family. We embrace that! I have been able to learn something from each and every individual on our team. I think the world could learn something from us!

As an African American Division II athlete, I have been blessed with a platform to speak. Racism is real, and it’s not going to change unless we do something about it. The time is now! We can no longer sit back and allow people to treat someone a certain way for the color of their skin. We can no longer sit back and watch people be judged on not who they are but what they look like. No matter who you are, no matter what color you are or culture you come from it’s not possible to make change without everyone being on board. We can make a difference! I know the world can one day be what Millersville basketball has been to me!

I live in Columbus, Ohio, a state capital with a large population and a lot of diversity. I have been able to see firsthand and participate in several walks and protests throughout the city, and the ones I have seen are done in love and not hate for the purpose of justice and equality for the black community. I recognize that as a white male athlete I hold a certain position in this country based simply off what I do and what I look like. At first, I was hesitant, feeling that maybe I would not be accepted at these marches. I could not have been more wrong. I enjoyed being there and I saw the importance of being a follower and educating myself on many things I have never had to think about. 

It is important for student-athletes to use the platform we are afforded to highlight important problems in our society and bring awareness to areas needing growth and change. Since entering college, I have been lucky enough to meet many people from varied backgrounds and places. As an athlete, playing in so many different places with a diverse group of teammates, I can see that if we take the approach to the problems facing our country today as a team, we can come together for a common goal.

In quarantine I have been lucky to live in a state that has been almost completely open for the last few weeks. I have kept myself in shape and in game form easily. I have been fortunate enough to workout with my teammates Bobby Dorta, Jacob Paulishak, and Jeff Taylor as well as with a few minor league baseball players from my area. I want to stay ready for whenever I may play again. I am still unsure if I will return to Millersville in the fall. I, as well as some of my teammates, have received interest from Major League teams. This has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I will hopefully receive good news on this soon. 

I came to Millersville four years ago from the big city of Columbus and really had no clue what to expect, but Coach Shehan made it feel like it could be my home away from home. It has been exactly that, I could never repay my teammates for the experiences and love they have given me at school. Being a Marauder is more than just being a part of the team. The whole athletic department is a family. It was tough to see our season end, but I am thankful that the NCAA has granted eligibility back to us so we will have one more shot at our goals. After playing just 18 games, it is hard to say if we would have reached those goals but like all Millersville teams that I have been a part of, the team we had this year was special. We all had unique roles and love for one another. 

Millersville welcomed me as a team member of the athletic department and has shown me that regardless of where you are from, what religion you follow or the color of your skin, when you are part of a team, all goes out the window. You support your teammates as if they are family. I believe it is important that we remember we’re always a part of one big team, and we need to care for and support each other with that approach.