Late last month, the University of Wisconsin found itself in the middle of a PR nightmare when a fan showed up at a home football game against Nebraska wearing a President Obama mask and a noose tied around his neck. The school eventually decided to take away the fan's season tickets, but not before it came under fire for initially allowing the fan to remain in the stands at the game after removing the noose.
Fast forward about a week, and there are now more than 20 black Wisconsin student-athletes who feel as though that incident is a sign of the racial inequalities that exist on the school's campus. That group of athletes, which includes many Wisconsin football players and Nigel Hayes, the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year for the Badgers' basketball team, has written a long letter to Chancellor Rebecca Blank requesting a meeting to discuss the inequalities they have seen. The athletes sent out the letter in the form of a tweet on Monday night and asked Blank to help them work towards meaningful actions to resolve their concerns about racism on the Wisconsin campus. Here is the letter the players sent out:
If you're unable to read the letter in the tweet above, here is what it says:
Also echoing the statement were junior cornerback Derrick Tindal:
As well as senior running back Corey Clement:
Related Stories
Wisconsin's Nigel Hayes Asks People for Money With 'Broke Athlete' Sign During 'College GameDay'
Wisconsin basketball star Nigel Hayes held a 'Broke Athlete' sign during ESPN’s 'College GameDay' on Saturday and asked people to send him money.
Wisconsin's Nigel Hayes Caught On Live Mic Calling Woman in the Audience "Beautiful"
Wisconsin forward Nigel Hayes was just saying his true feelings about a woman in attendance. Unfortunately, a live mic caught it all.
Awful Fan Wears Obama Mask and Noose Around Neck at Wisconsin Football Game
These fans thought it was cool to disrespect President Barack Obama.
Wisconsin officials are yet to publicly comment on the letter.
