Generals men’s soccer takes a knee for equality

During a home game for the 2021-22 season, the Herkimer College men’s soccer team walked out onto the field, stood for the national anthem, and waited for kick-off.  Each player went to their assigned spots on the field, but then the referee blew the whistle.

One by one, each General took a knee on the field as head coach Pepe Aragon read a statement aloud to the crowd.

“Herkimer men’s soccer takes a knee as a gesture that they stand firmly against all matters of inequality, exclusion, and racial injustice, and are united in joining the fight for equality, inclusivity, and racial justice for all at home and around the world.”

The players stayed kneeling for five seconds, until the referee blew the whistle a second time and started the game, in an attempt to bring awareness to national and international inequities.

Similar practices have been adopted by soccer teams during the Olympics, during the EURO 2021 Cup, and within the English Premier League. Aragon said it made sense to bring it home to Herkimer due to how diverse his student-athletes are, to show that they’re unified as a team.

“What I love about soccer and our program is we represent all different nationalities and religions,” Aragon said. “We have players from all over the country and all over the world.”

This year’s team has student-athletes from New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Norway, Japan, Scotland, and Sweden. Aragon himself is Latino, and his father is from Guatemala. He said his extended family is extremely diverse, with various races, religions, and sexualities represented. He said he discussed kneeling with his players and had their full support before going through with the new initiative.

“I think it’s important to bring awareness to different things that are going on in our country — and to recognize that it’s nothing new. These problems have been going on for years,” Aragon said. “It also sparks that conversation among my players, since I stand firmly against any type of racism or discrimination. I really wanted to support that and be vocal about it.”

The soccer team is currently 6-1 on the season. Keep up with their play by visiting Herkimergenerals.com.