The Patriot League has named Marcus Blossom, director of intercollegiate athletics at Holy Cross, a member of its newly formed Anti-Racism Commission, which "will examine areas in which systemic racism is perpetuated and seek actionable solutions for long-term sustainable change" within the league.
Current and former student-athletes are set to participate in the Commission, along with coaches and administrators from Patriot League schools. In addition to Holy Cross, the Commission includes representatives from American University, Boston University, Bucknell, Colgate, Lafayette College, Lehigh University, Loyola University Maryland, and the U.S. Military and Naval academies.
"The Patriot League Anti-Racism Commission is an important initiative in our League's efforts to develop solutions to fight racism and discrimination and advance policies that will lead to an equitable, inclusive and welcoming educational experience for all," said Marcus Blossom, director of intercollegiate athletics at Holy Cross. "I am thankful for the thoughtful conversations of our minority head and assistant coaches that spearheaded this initiative and for Jennifer Heppel and the Council of Presidents' leadership in formally recognizing the Commission within the League's governance framework."
Stemming from conversations with a group of Black and Brown head and assistant coaches from multiple sports across the League, the Commission aims to address areas including recruitment, education, creation of support infrastructures and generational impact.
"The voices and experiences of our current and former student-athletes, coaches and administrators, as brought together by the League, are powerful," Patriot League Commissioner Jennifer Heppel said. "The work of the Commission will intersect with existing and planned institutional initiatives and resources in order to maximize the value of the collective whole toward ensuring policies, operations and structure are absent of systemic racism."
Blossom assumed the role of director of intercollegiate athletics at Holy Cross on July 1, 2019. Previously, he was the senior associate athletics director for business and finance at Boston College, he has been responsible for all budget and financial operations, and served as a member of the department of athletics executive team assisting with all aspects of strategic planning and vision execution
Prior to his time in Chestnut Hill, Blossom spent two years as the associate athletics director, business operations at Providence College, and two years at Brown University as the associate athletics director, finance.
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Photos: Marcus Blossom Named Athletics Director at Holy Cross
