DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 14, 2020) – The Mercy College athletics department is proud to announce the Mavericks Standing Together Task Force. The Task Force was started by men's basketball sophomore Brandon Wilson.

"We are working as a collective group to build a united front among the Mercy College teams. Before we can go out and make an impact on the surrounding communities, we must first diversify and become familiar with the people we interact with on a daily basis," said Wilson.

"Mercy College's MST is a group founded by Mavericks, for Mavericks. With the group being formed in response to the racial injustice and inequality in various communities, our main goal is to make Mercy College a better place. Fortunately, the group has gained a great outcome of student athletes coming together and learning new things. We've came up with a lot of ideas and events that we are looking to introduce to Mercy this fall. Stay tuned for what's to come. Go Mavs!" said men's lacrosse sophomore Mustapha Daffeh.

"Our Athletic Department is very proud of our student athletes for forming this task force which will bring educational awareness to systemic racism, social inequality and Black Lives Matter. There will be signage on campus as well as events planned on and off campus to help bring our entire community together and make our world a better place for all to coexist in," stated Director of Athletics Matt Kilcullen Jr.

The student-athletes that will be making up the task force include Brandon Wilson (men's basketball); Brianne Santos (women's basketball); Mustapha Daffeh (men's lacrosse); Briana Corace (women's lacrosse); Mary Mackie (women's lacrosse); Nigel Hawthorne (men's soccer); Tyra Anderson (women's soccer); Fernanda Castro (women's soccer); Jack Kelly (baseball); Casey Akers (softball); Sophia Flanders (volleyball); Katie Kreider (field hockey).

The goal of the Mavericks Standing Together Task Force is to seek ways to combat racism and social injustice both on and off campus. The department wants to lead the way on campus allowing student-athletes to have a voice while leading others on the campus in regards to combatting racism. The Task Force will propose new initiatives and programs that the department can participate in to help unite the campus against racism and social injustice.