Athletes and coaches all across the sports landscape have been very vocal in recent weeks about racism and racial inequality.
Missouri State Basketball Head Coach Dana Ford has joined those conversations by posting his thoughts on social media.
Now Ford is turning words into action.
“I think collectively, our community is always been one that’s been centered around Missouri State and the basketball program is a big part of that,” Ford said. “So I think it was just natural for us in terms of leaders in the community to try to get together and do the very best that we can.”
Ford, along with the Springfield Police Department is launching Bears, Badges and Kids Basketball Days where local kids will have the chance to interact with Bears basketball players and local law enforcement.
“Having our players engage with young people in the community and at the same time trying to educate them on the importance of what our men and women do that protect us in regards to our police department, I think that those things can go hand in hand,” Ford said.
Ford says he hopes the initiative will change the way young people and the police view each other.
“What we have to continue to do is to do things that humanize both sides. What I mean by that is the first time a young person sees an officer shouldn’t be when somebody around them is in trouble or even when they’re in trouble,” Ford said. “I think that’s the same on the other side where the first interaction with maybe somebody in our community for a police officer shouldn’t be when they’re answering a call.”
The events will take place on the fourth Saturday of each month from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., starting June 27 until basketball season.
Each event will be free for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade.
Kids who attend will get a lunch, t-shirt, and replica badge – they must pre-register on the Missouri State Basketball Bears website.
