BIMAGE, UT ATHLETES REQUEST UNIVERSITY CHANGE SCHOOL SONG, RENAME BUILDINGS

  

Former Brenham Cub football standout Marqez Bimage is among the athletes at the University of Texas calling for changes to increase racial inclusivity on campus.

Bimage posted a letter Friday afternoon to Twitter, requesting on behalf of UT’s student athlete body and Longhorn football team that the university take actions to address racial injustice.  Those include the renaming of buildings such as the Robert Lee Moore Hall and James Hogg Auditorium, the creation of modules for incoming freshmen to discuss the history of racism on campus, and the replacing of the school song, “The Eyes of Texas”, which was written in 1903 and has connections to minstrel shows.

The letter said in part, “The recent events across the country regarding racial injustice have brought to light the systemic racism that has always been prevalent in our country as well as the racism that has historically plagued our campus.”  The letter was captioned with the university’s motto: “What starts here changes the world.  #WeAreOne.”

Athletes are also calling for the university’s athletic department to donate 0.5 percent of its annual earnings to black organizations and the Black Lives Matter movement.  They also ask for some part of Royal-Memorial Stadium to be renamed after Julius Whittier, the university’s first black football player.

The letter said athletes wish to have these issues addressed or implemented before the fall semester.  In addition, they will continue to participate in all required team activities, but until the university makes a commitment, they will not participate in recruiting or donor events.

Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte said in a tweet responding to the list of requests that he is “willing to have meaningful conversations regarding any concerns our student-athletes have”.