Quinnipiac’s Udoji and Williams Earn Rawling’s Community Spotlight Honors
Quinnipiac’s Udoji and Williams Earn Rawling’s Community Spotlight Honors
EDISON, N.J. (Oct. 8, 2020) – The Rawlings Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Community Spotlight is a weekly feature of those giving back in an effort to make a difference in their communities. This week, the MAAC highlights Quinnipiac University basketball players Vanessa Udoji and Tyrese Williams.
Vanessa Udoji (In her own words)
Seeing that racism is so ingrained into the American fabric, this is something that can’t be resolved in one day or a couple of conversations. This has been something that has been a part of American history for hundreds of years.
In June, I was able to go to the Black Lives Matter Plaza in DC and protest. It was definitely a great experience, to have been able to be a part of something so powerful. Just being able to walk in front of the White House, with a bunch of people I didn’t know, to stand for a pressing issue and to fight for change is something that I will never forget. When you look back in history at figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis who were civil rights leaders, they started this, they set the example, and fast forwarding now to our generation, we are able to do the same thing. We can do things like protest in front of the White House, vote, educate each other, and sign petitions to push for change.
The time we’re living in now is even more impactful solely because we have cameras in our phone that allows us to easily record and share anything and everything. A lot of the tragic events that have been in the news have come from people recording them on cell phones. This has brought awareness to issues like racism, oppression, educational inequality in the pursuit of equality. During this time, I have learned more about history just from paying more attention to the news, social media, and even learning from family and friends.
I think we’re are all at an age where we can use our social media platform and our voices if we want to see change, not only for ourselves, but for the next generation. I’m a strong believer that history repeats itself and I think being able to live during this time is something that we shouldn’t take for granted but rather see each day as an opportunity to make a difference - whether that be donating to charity, volunteering, mentoring the youth, voting, signing petitions or even just staying educated and paying attention to what is going on in the world.
Tyrese Williams
Tyrese Williams spent time while he was home during quarantine (Beacon, NY) helping form The Label Foundation.
The foundation is a non-profit designed to bring a positive approach to the community of Beacon, New York and surrounding areas. Through community service, the group helps fill the need to build stronger bonds between the youth of the area and its surrounding community.
Williams is a co-founder of the organization. The Label Foundation has had multiple clothing drives, back-to-school drives (giving supplies to children in need), participated in a Black Lives Matter March and much more.
When asked about the foundation, Williams noted “We vow to bring people of all walks of life together in order to guide the youth in the right direction.”
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) celebrates its 40
th year of competition during the 2020-21 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.