Whereas racism has historically influenced the infrastructure in major sporting industries since its inception, after the 2016 election there seems to be a reemergence of racist rhetoric in global, national, and local discourse, and sports are not immune to this troubling trend; Whereas the roots of racism in sports date back to their genesis, and perhaps no example of clearing racial hurdles compares to the story of Jackie Robinson who was the first African American to break the so-called color line to play in all-White Major League Baseball as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers and whose sacrifice and perseverance in the face of such visceral hate in response to his participation is remembered as a historic triumph for African Americans; Whereas Willie O’Ree became the first Black player in the history of the National Hockey League playing for the Boston Bruins, earning the mantra as the Jackie Robinson of hockey , and is still active in promoting diversity in the sport; Whereas policy enhancements, such as the Rooney Rule in the National Football League (NFL), have progressed inclusion and diversity in sports leagues and would potentially have a significant impact if applied to organizations in other industries; Whereas accounts of both blatant and subtle racism have justifiably captured the attention of fans when publicly disclosed in years past, and the recent hateful and unapologetic tropes cast by public figures, particularly the President, have elevated the issue of racism in sports to a national discussion; Whereas the University of Florida has recorded 52 acts of racism in sports in 2018, an increase of 11 compared to the previous year; Whereas internationally the number of instances of racism in sports more than doubled in 2018 compared to the prior year; Whereas within the last month the Utah Jazz, of the National Basketball Association (NBA), levied a lifetime ban against a fan who deliberately and repeatedly called NBA star Russell Westbrook boy leading up to a game in Salt Lake City, Utah