Cards Visit Ali Center as Part of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative
August 01, 2022 | Community & Culture
Student-athletes from football, women's basketball toured the Ali Center
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville football and women's basketball teams recently visited the Muhammad Ali Center as part the teams' summer activities, in conjunction with the athletic department's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.Â
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University of Louisville Associate Athletics Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Derek Cowherd, collaborated with representatives from the Muhammad Ali Center: Dr. Marilyn Jackson, Erin Herbert, Ashleigh Hazley and KJ Martin.
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"We are in the initial stages of creating a more comprehensive and collaborative relationship which we hope will include offering a number of educational opportunities for student-athlete leaders, staff, and coaches," said Cowherd. "Along with tours of the museum, recruiting functions, leadership training, and summer bridge programming; we hope to also create opportunities to connect with the youth and greater Louisville community. I would like to thank Deion Branch, Adrienne Johnson along with Scott Satterfield and Jeff Walz as well as our Student-Athlete Development team who dove in first to offer this great experience to their students."
The Ali Center has hosted colleges and universities, armed forces units, government agencies and leadership teams to provide educational programs that bolster knowledge in cultural diversity, leadership, and social justice. The center's programming includes Ali's six core principles of confidence, conviction, dedication, respect, giving and spirituality.Â
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The goal of the visit was to introduce student-athletes to the award-winning museum which also serves as a multicultural center with the mission to share the legacy and ideals of Louisville native Muhammad Ali while promoting social justice and equity. As part of the visit, student-athletes saw the city of Louisville as Muhammad Ali experienced it and learned about his life through interactive exhibits, videos and pieces of history.
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"The Muhammad Ali Museum is something I'd recommend everyone to experience," said women's basketball graduate senior Mykasa Robinson. "The history, perspective, and excellence that was demonstrated throughout the tour was incredible."Â
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"The time that my teammates and I had will always be a moment that'll stay with us forever," said Dez Melton, a redshirt sophomore on the football team. "The Ali center is covered with a bunch of different things from his own artwork to his personal belongings. We were all stunned by the things inside of the Ali center. This place really shows what Louisville is all about. Also, it showed what greater things Ali did outside the boxing ring. A couple of my teammates and I would love to go again in the near future to spend more time looking around the amazing things inside."
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University of Louisville Associate Athletics Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Derek Cowherd, collaborated with representatives from the Muhammad Ali Center: Dr. Marilyn Jackson, Erin Herbert, Ashleigh Hazley and KJ Martin.
Â
"We are in the initial stages of creating a more comprehensive and collaborative relationship which we hope will include offering a number of educational opportunities for student-athlete leaders, staff, and coaches," said Cowherd. "Along with tours of the museum, recruiting functions, leadership training, and summer bridge programming; we hope to also create opportunities to connect with the youth and greater Louisville community. I would like to thank Deion Branch, Adrienne Johnson along with Scott Satterfield and Jeff Walz as well as our Student-Athlete Development team who dove in first to offer this great experience to their students."
The Ali Center has hosted colleges and universities, armed forces units, government agencies and leadership teams to provide educational programs that bolster knowledge in cultural diversity, leadership, and social justice. The center's programming includes Ali's six core principles of confidence, conviction, dedication, respect, giving and spirituality.Â
Â
The goal of the visit was to introduce student-athletes to the award-winning museum which also serves as a multicultural center with the mission to share the legacy and ideals of Louisville native Muhammad Ali while promoting social justice and equity. As part of the visit, student-athletes saw the city of Louisville as Muhammad Ali experienced it and learned about his life through interactive exhibits, videos and pieces of history.
Â
"The Muhammad Ali Museum is something I'd recommend everyone to experience," said women's basketball graduate senior Mykasa Robinson. "The history, perspective, and excellence that was demonstrated throughout the tour was incredible."Â
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Spent time yesterday learning about how The Greatest used sport to positively impact his communities.#GoCards pic.twitter.com/qINRtlNSyN
— Louisville WBB (@UofLWBB) July 28, 2022
"The time that my teammates and I had will always be a moment that'll stay with us forever," said Dez Melton, a redshirt sophomore on the football team. "The Ali center is covered with a bunch of different things from his own artwork to his personal belongings. We were all stunned by the things inside of the Ali center. This place really shows what Louisville is all about. Also, it showed what greater things Ali did outside the boxing ring. A couple of my teammates and I would love to go again in the near future to spend more time looking around the amazing things inside."
Â
Spent the afternoon learning about the life & legacy of The Greatest.#GoCards pic.twitter.com/YDxqNYTBRG
— Louisville Football (@LouisvilleFB) July 27, 2022
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