Nebraska Athletics Celebrates Juneteenth with reflection, education and personal ties.

Recent events of injustice around the country have turned a spotlight on to Juneteenth, the annual celebration of the end of chattel slavery within the United States. For Nebraska Athletics, numerous staff members and student-athletes have taken the opportunity to learn, educate others and organize opportunities to celebrate the holiday.
 
According to Juneteenth.com, Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. In 2009, the State of Nebraska officially recognized Juneteenth, an important milestone in our state.
 
For Nebraska student-athletes and staff, Juneteenth has had significant meaning and impact. For Ashley Rudolph, an assistant athletic trainer for the Women's Basketball program, Juneteenth has been personal. Ashley has previously worked on a planning committee to organize a local Juneteenth Celebration here in Lincoln, typically hosted by the Malone Community Center. For Redshirt Freshman John Goodwin, Goodwin sees Juneteenth being celebrated very close to his own home. His father, John Goodwin II, is the Executive Director of the Malone Center. In 2020, the Juneteenth celebration will be hosted by the Lincoln Indian Center, as the Malone Center is working through renovations at the moment.
 
Sport programs and departments within Nebraska Athletics have embraced Juneteenth as well. Kristina Bayton, a graduate manager for Women's Basketball, challenged the staff and student-athletes to learn more about the holiday. Juneteenth is a moment of celebration for Bayton.
 
"I believe experiencing something first hand is a powerful learning tool," said Bayton. "The event offers something for everyone regardless of one's background or prior knowledge. To me the event represents a celebration of life and culture. Sharing this with the team was an opportunity to share something important to me with the group."
 
Bayton believes the timing plays a large role as well. "The last few weeks have been heavy for everyone and the timing of Juneteenth couldn't be more perfect. To me, black is beautiful, strong, and resilient. While there is work to do we need to celebrate how far we have come."
 
 
In addition, all staff members received educational material about Juneteenth from Julie Tuttle, an assistant athletic trainer who also coordinates the Wellness Wednesday program within athletics, providing materials on a number of topics each week to ensure staff members are receiving materials for their personal growth. Staff and student-athletes also received a message from Bill Moos, urging all to further educate themselves about Juneteenth. Nebraska Athletics proudly celebrates Juneteenth with our staff, student-athletes and fans.