Official University of Wyoming Apology to the Black 14

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                   May 21, 2019

 

To Members of the Black 14:

 

As president, and athletics director at the University of Wyoming, we have had the pleasure of getting to know many of you as members of the Black 14 while discussing the 50th anniversary. It has been an honor and privilege to reconnect with you, and hear your story. That story is heart-wrenching, and we feel it is extremely important for this institution to reflect on that difficult time here at UW and across the country. As an institution, we believe we have learned and grown from what you had to endure. The college experience should be a rich one, and one of the best times of a young person's life. You were deprived of that experience for reasons that were not of your doing. Not to be heard, to be shunned, and to have your collegiate careers derailed as both students and athletes is a tragedy. Unfortunately it continued beyond your time here.

We embrace the University's mission of nurturing, "an environment that values and manifests diversity, internationalization, free expression, academic freedom, personal integrity and mutual respect". We believe that mission rose in part from your courage and sacrifice.

We applaud you, but most importantly, respect you for rising above that difficult time to build productive lives. You remained faithful to your convictions as you moved forward, all the while continuing to tell the compelling story of the Black 14. As you told that story, it would have been easy to attack the university that turned its back on you. But you demonstrated immense character and integrity in avoiding that path. Your actions then, and throughout these 50 years have definitely made a difference, not only on this campus, but throughout our country.

Please accept this sincere apology from the University of Wyoming for the unfair way you were treated, and for the hardships that treatment created for you. We want to welcome you home as valued members of this institution, and hope you accept our old Wyoming saying, "once a Cowboy, always a Cowboy".

 

With Warmest Regards,

 

Laurie S. Nicholas                                              Tom Burman

President                                                         Athletics Director