University of Rhode Island Athletics is celebrating Black History Month with videos highlighting achievements and advancements made.
As part of Black History Month, URI celebrates the contributions of past and current coaches and student-athletes. Head volleyball coach Angel Agu continues to set a positive example for the program while breaking barriers in her leadership role.
Angel Agu
I always tell to my players, I’ll want to give back to volleyball what it gave to me. And that’s being able to be representative, you know, I think representation really matters. And so, for the young, you know, black girls that are trying to find sports to get into and may not see themselves in a sport that is predominantly white, I want them to see themselves not only play at that level, but be able to, to lead and and coach at that level as well. So, I think the platform that I have here is amazing. My players are, you know, they’re huge advocates as well, you know, black or white. And so, to be able to be that person that can look up to, is pretty self-assuring.
Brittany Myers
For her to be promoted to that level is just something that me and my family we’re so excited about. Because obviously, that’s never been the case that we’re an island. And the university does a great job in trying to show represent all people at the university and I think her being the first female black head coach really, like pushes that goal forward.
Ella Ratzloff
She’s honestly such an inspiration. It’s so cool to think about. Not her, her only being the first black but also female head coach in the Volleyball program. And it kind of just gives, like us, like, as you said, like she’s a role model to us like, she is someone we all want to inspire to be and like we look at her like wow, she like that’s it. That’s what we want to be.
Brittany Myers
Especially for younger girls like me, who I look up to, I look up to her and she’s just like, she’s just such a great icon to follow after.
Angel Agu
I think sports in general gave me a lot and it’s inspired me to be where I am today. And so, for me, I know especially being younger, during last season, I was the youngest division one coach in the country and so I knew Okay, that’s I have a chip on my shoulder there. I’m the first female coaching this program that’s a chip on my shoulder here and I am a black female as well another chip on my shoulder and so being able to kind of grind through those obstacles and set my goals is something that I take a lot of pride in and I want to make sure I, you know, at least a compliment one goal a day.
