BOSTON – America East will once again highlight its #SpreadRespect and #EndRacism initiatives during select basketball games in January and February, reaffirming the conference’s commitment to promoting social justice and ending racial inequality across its communities and beyond.
This year, specially designed "End Racism" shooting shirts will be worn during warmups at the start of each game. The shirts feature a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s "Love Your Enemies" sermon, delivered in Montgomery, Alabama, on Christmas Day in 1957. The message—“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”— appears on the front of each shirt. The quote became a cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement, emphasizing that meaningful change comes through love rather than mirroring the hatred of oppressors. It was later published in King’s 1963 book, "Strength of Love".
"The Spread Respect games exemplify the America East Conference’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for all student-athletes, coaches, and fans. This initiative reflects our conference’s core values and our ongoing dedication to ensuring every individual within our communities feels respected, supported, and empowered." said America East Commissioner, Brad Walker.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SPREAD RESPECT CONTESTS
| DATE |
HOME |
AWAY |
| Saturday, 1/31 |
Maine |
UMass Lowell |
| Thursday, 2/5 |
Binghamton |
UMBC |
| Thursday, 2/5 |
UMass Lowell |
NJIT |
| Thursday, 2/12 |
Bryant |
UMass Lowell |
| Thursday, 2/12 |
NJIT |
New Hampshire |
| Thursday, 2/12 |
Vermont |
Binghamton |
| Saturday, 2/14 |
UMBC |
New Hampshire |
| Thursday, 2/19 |
UAlbany |
NJIT |
| Thursday, 2/26 |
New Hampshire |
Binghamton |
MEN’S BASKETBALL SPREAD RESPECT CONTESTS
| DATE |
HOME |
AWAY |
| Saturday, 1/31 |
Bryant |
New Hampshire |
| Thursday, 2/5 |
Maine |
Vermont |
| Thursday, 2/5 |
UMBC |
Binghamton |
| Saturday, 2/7 |
NJIT |
Binghamton |
| Thursday, 2/12 |
Binghamton |
Vermont |
| Thursday, 2/12 |
UMass Lowell |
Bryant |
| Thursday, 2/12 |
New Hampshire |
NJIT |
| Saturday, 2/14 |
Vermont |
Bryant |
| Thursday, 2/26 |
UAlbany |
Maine |
America East is steadfast in its commitment to ending racial inequality. For nearly a decade, the America East has been a leader within college athletics in raising awareness and providing education in the areas of diversity and inclusion through its Spread Respect initiative.
ABOUT AMERICA EAST
Founded in 1979, the America East Conference is an elite NCAA Division I athletic conference that fosters an environment for student-athletes to become champions. Comprised of academically renowned, like-minded member institutions located in the Northeast region of the United States, America East is committed to broad-based excellence and progressive in its approach to supporting its more than 3,500 student-athletes across 18 sponsored sports. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com and follow the America East Conference and its social media channels, @AmericaEast.
- America East Conference – Where Champions Rise -