Dear Raider Family

Players, Coaches, Parents and Supporters:

I write this to you as the leader of the football community in the district of Scotch Plains-Fanwood.
However, today I’m writing to you as something more than that. I’m writing to you as a Black man who
was given an incredible opportunity in your community, to lead and be an example for your children. I
take great pride in this commitment, but with it comes responsibility. As a coach, I take pride in using a
coaching style I term, “coaching everyone THE SAME but Different.” I teach everyone the SAME message
but utilize DIFFERENT methods for each individual. Today I must speak to all of you as one. My heart is
very heavy due to the events that have been taking place in our country and world.

Today I want to coach a different message; one of hope and awareness for our children and community.
I am a black coach. Our coaching staff is diverse and composed of another black coach, a Hispanic
coach, and several white coaches. Our team also boasts a mix of players from different races and
backgrounds, and that is what makes us SPECIAL. The great thing about this team is that we can all
relate and connect with each other beyond the color of our skin. My “Same but Different” approach has
helped me relate to all my players.’

Twenty- two years ago, I too was a senior wondering how my season was going to unfold and what I
could do to win a State Championship. I understand and share the drive and desire to win. However,
outside of football, I see myself in many of these young men like Hayden, Christian, Kenny and Shawn. I
see similarities in our families, personalities, leadership skills and peer relations. To me, these
similarities make me more than just a black football coach. The same way that Hayden is more than a
White Quarterback, and Marshall is more than a Black Defensive Back. These similarities, relationships,
and bonds unite us as a family. One Raider Family. My HOPE is that outside of practice and games that
we treat each other as so.

My hope is that what is transpiring around the country can be changed. As the leader and coach of this
family, I want to start with my locker room. To me, the only thing that is solely Black and White is Right
and Wrong. For young men and women, the line between right and wrong can sometimes be the
hardest thing to figure out. However, when you have trust in your brother or sister, your family at
home, or your Raider family those decisions can result positively. Today you are young men and
women, but soon you will grow and become the leaders I believe you to be. How do you want to lead?
It starts now. Make the best decisions possible, take time to think and reflect, and you will achieve
positive outcomes. My hope is that you don’t see me as a Black Football Coach, but as just a coach,
leader and someone that you can come to at any time to help you facilitate these hard conversations. I
hope that one day you see a piece of yourself in me too.
 As a black man I have personally experienced and witnessed inequalities and injustices due to
the color of my skin. At times, I believe we are moving in the right direction and at other times I feel we
have taken a large step back. The recent events in Minneapolis are not new or unique. Racial injustice
and hatred toward people of color, specifically black men and women has taken place for over 400
years. I believe Black Lives Matter. I believe Hispanic lives matter. Indian lives matter. White lives
matter. Police lives matter. ALL lives in this country and world matter. Nothing can be changed by the
actions of just one group in our society. We all must work together to combat the racial injustice in our
world. Awareness is a steppingstone to change. How can we affect it? We must be aware of our
surroundings, the company we keep, the actions we take, and the words we speak. We cannot stay
silent about the injustices in our society, but riots and looting are not the answer. Violence brings about
more violence. Understanding, Love and Compassion create change.

How do we fight back? We fight with responsible actions: voting and research within our local and state
communities, civic action, and peaceful protests. Demonstrating empathy, understanding, and listening
are also ways we can fight peacefully and together. We need to have these hard conversations even if
they are uncomfortable. We need to be able to acknowledge our biases, and not be afraid to speak up
when we hear racial slurs, jokes or remarks. We need to let our friends know that these comments and
actions are not accepted and will not be tolerated. The movement we see happening now cannot be a
June 2020 movement only. We must acknowledge that there is a problem and continue to make a
conscious effort to affect change until this problem is solved. It starts with us, in our locker room. If we
can love and respect one another in our locker room, our school, and our community, we can affect
change. The HOPE is that this will create a ripple effect and others will do the same. Albert Einstein said,
“The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the
people who don't do anything about it.” It starts with our LOCKER ROOM. I love you all and am proud to
be your leader.

Thank You,

Coach Austin Holman

Head Football Coach

Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School