HCR-19 could transform outlook for college head coaching roles through The Doug Williams Center
June 2, 2021 – District 58 Representative Ken Brass’s historic bill to increase statewide hiring of people of color to sports administration roles has passed through the House of Representatives with unanimous support, as it did through the House Education Committee weeks ago. This was round two of the five-step Louisiana legislative process; next HCR-19 will be presented to the Senate Education Committee.
“The approval of this bill with no dissenting votes proves that all members of the House of Representatives are committed to creating fairness and representation in the process of hiring Louisiana’s most critical sports leadership roles,” said Brandon A. Logan, Executive Director of The Doug Williams Center. “We are excited to engage college and professional sports administrators in preparation for the work ahead.”
Once the bill has been accepted by both the Senate Education Committee and the Senate, it will be ready for Governor John Bell Edwards’ signature and implementation by The Doug Williams Center. The first act of the HCR-19 will be the development of the Louisiana Minority Sports Initiative Task Force, which will devise a plan to develop a more diverse group of candidates for head coach and athletic director positions at public postsecondary education institutions. The Center will assemble and give oversight to the task force, whose members will include Board of Regents Higher Education representatives, university presidents and directors of athletics, representatives of the New Orleans Pelicans and Saints, along with private sector business owners.
Learn more about Representative Ken Brass’s introduction of HCR-19. Read the HCR-19 bill.
About The Doug Williams Center
Founded in 2020, The Doug Williams Center exists to build an ever-growing network of solutions for diversity and inclusion in collegiate and professional sports. The Center is a learning commons and advancement space for audiences to examine the history of race and politics in American sports and build holistic perspectives on the cultural impact to provide resources for ongoing social progress. With the support of its esteemed Advisory Board and multi-disciplinary academicians, the Center offers thought leadership and practical resources to sports industry entities. A hub for academic of research and development, The Doug Williams Center is an affiliate of Grambling State University.