WEST BABYLON, N.Y. – On March 19, student-athletes from each of the ECC’s nine member schools virtually attended the ECC/RISE Town Hall Program. RISE is a national nonprofit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations. Facilitated by Nydia Cardenas, RISE encouraged conversation on inclusion, exclusion and racism. 

"The ECC is proud to continue our relationship with RISE and provide opportunities for our student-athletes and administrators to learn about important social issues and discuss their ideas with each other," said ECC Commissioner Dr. Robert Dranoff. "We have found these sessions can serve as tools for personal growth."

Through both large group discussion and small breakout room conversations, participants reflected on how it felt to be an outsider compared to an insider and considered how they may have arrived at their positions and what challenges might emerge as they consider information that may excuse them from the in-group. 

For more information on RISE, please visit: https://www.risetowin.org