“Being a Black man in America, we have targets on our backs, and it’s almost like you wake up and you’re like, ‘Who’s next?’” said sophomore linebacker Myles Talley.
Talley, a Division I football player at Sacred Heart University, understands the fear that many people of color have toward social injustice and law enforcement.
“I live in Philadelphia, you see police brutality all over,” said Talley. “Speaking out and trying to have a voice is something I want to do to help change the world.”
Talley uses his voice to represent Sacred Heart for the Northeast Conference’s (NEC) Champions for Change platform. Activated on Aug. 2, 2020, the platform empowers student
athletes, coaches, and staff to share their experiences with social injustice and discuss initiatives for social change.
“It is a great honor for me,” said Talley. “Being able to speak out for the school and athletics is something that I admire and strive to push for.”
The goal of Champions for Change is to support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), initiatives that highlight how racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, etc. have impacted the NEC community. Athletes, coaches and staff also share how they work toward positive change in those areas and how they can celebrate their culture and identity.
“Every day is a celebration,” said Talley in his Champions for Change YouTube video. “God waking you up each and every morning, allowing you to breathe in celebration in itself.”
According to the Champions for Change website, the platform stemmed from the NEC’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s (SAAC) conversations on the death of George Floyd in May 2020.
Despite division throughout the country, Talley recognized the importance of educating people on social injustice.
“Ignorance is something that can be taught and can be changed,” said Talley. “If someone had an opposing view, I would put them in the shoes of what minorities go through.”
Talley is the only Sacred Heart student selected to Champions for Change, but he and sophomore women’s lacrosse player Mikala Eacrett started Every Heart is Sacred, an all-inclusive group that promotes the same goals as other DEI initiatives.
“We talk about uncomfortable conversations and have a safe place for all athletes to share how they feel about the causes and what’s going on [with injustice],” said Talley. “Me and [Eacrett] are looking to do great things in the athletic department and try to change minds and educate people.”
Although, ultimately, the goal is to include the Bridgeport community, Every Heart is Sacred is focusing on student athletes first.
“Right now, we’re scouting out people for representatives for each team,” said Talley.
The linebacker is also on the SAAC board and is part of the Multicultural Center, which was established in Sept. 2020 to connect underrepresented students as well as promote cultural exchange and enrichment among students of diverse backgrounds.
“Me and Robert Johnson [Director of Multicultural Affairs] talk about issues that we feel are going around in the school,” said Talley. “And how we can nip them in the bud and also incorporate that into Every Heart is Sacred.”
Head football coach Mark Nofri has high expectations for Talley on and off the field.
“He’s a good player, tough hard-nosed kid who runs side to side,” said Nofri. “In the long term, I hope he can become a captain by his senior year.”
Nofri believes his program can learn from Talley’s experiences.
“If you’ve never been in that situation [social injustice] or never been around it, you don’t know,” said Nofri. “You have to make sure your eyes and ears are open and do whatever you can to support him.”
Talley encourages all Sacred Heart students to spread awareness for social change.
“Just keep speaking out; keep using your voice,” said Talley. “If you keep yourself educated and, in the loop, that’s a big change right there.”
