Bowdoin Athletics of Color Coalition

Athletes of Color Coalition at Bowdoin College

Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Athletes of Color Coalition (AoCC) to advocate for student-athletes of color at Bowdoin regardless of their sport, race, class, sexuality, or gender identities. Our group is open to all varsity and club minority athletes, providing a support system in which student-athletes of color can freely discuss their respective experiences on and off the playing field, on a predominately white campus, in a predominately white athletic league. The organization is designed to foster communication between the Bowdoin Athletic Department and its minority athletes as well as to create dialogue surrounding the experiences of athletes of color to the broader Bowdoin community.

Have questions about the student-athlete experience at Bowdoin? Contact a participating member

History of AoCC

Athletes of Color Coalition at Bowdoin was founded by Hannah Cooke '18 in 2016 with the intention to create a safe space in which members could discuss their respective experiences as student-athletes of color at Bowdoin. She cultivated communication between the Bowdoin College Athletic Department and Bowdoin Athletes of Color, and for multiple years in a row, led the spring event Race in Athletics, in which student-athletes of color can share their personal experiences with the entirety of the Bowdoin Athletic Department. During her time at Bowdoin, Hannah was a member of the Bowdoin women's basketball, squash, and track teams. Outside of the realm of athletics, Hannah was an Africana Studies and Government and Legal Studies double major with an Education Studies minor. She was also a facilitator of Bowdoin's Intergroup Dialogue program, which fosters conversations about race in different groups across campus, particularly in sports teams. She is currently a history teacher at the Pomfret School, where she continues to serve her athletic and academic community as the interim co-director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, running an extracurricular social justice program, and works as an assistant coach of the basketball and track teams. By the time Hannah graduated in 2018, the members of the Bowdoin Athletes of Color represented the basketball, soccer, rugby, football, field hockey, lacrosse, sailing, softball, baseball, and squash teams. Her work in advocating for student-athletes of color and Bowdoin students alike leaves a legacy at Bowdoin beyond the Athletes of Color community.

Leadership Team

JK Bradley
President

JK is a senior and plays 2nd base on the softball team. Academically, she is an Environmental Studies Major, Government and Legal Studies Major, and Asian Studies Minor. Additionally, JK works as a Sustainability Assistant at the Bowdoin Sustainability Office and is on the Outreach and Communications team for the Environmental Studies Department. JK was previously the mental health committee coordinator for BSAAC and the Green Athletics Coordinator for the Sustainability Office. She also studied abroad in South Korea her junior year. You can also find her working for the sports information office at volleyball games and spending time at the Schiller Coastal Studies Center.

Will Onubogu
VP of External Engagement

At Bowdoin, he is a member of the men's basketball team. Will is a Neuroscience major on the premed track. Outside of the classroom, Will is also a part of the Bowdoin Student Athletic Advisory Committee, co-founder of Brothers Beyond Borders and president of NESCAC's CoSAoC. Some of his hobbies include writing poetry and playing 2k and FIFA. He is excited to continue to support young athletes of color in his new role!

Anyi Sun
VP of Internal Engagement

Anyi Sun is the Vice President of Internal Engagement at AOCC. Anyi is a junior on the Bowdoin women's ice hockey team and is looking to double major in math and computer science as well as achieve a minor in visual arts. Previously, she has served as treasurer and has been with the organization since her first year. Anyi is also chair of the DEI committee for the Bowdoin Student Athlete Advisory Committee and is looking to host collaborative events to increase engagement with both clubs. In her past two years, she has also served on Bowdoin Student Government as Vice President and is looking to use that experience to push for initiatives and events that will improve the student experience as a whole. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and teammates, going for swims in the ocean, and attending live music events put on by Bowdoin organizers.

Laila Nickelson
Community Service Representative

Laila Nickelson is the Community Service Representative for AoCC. Her role connects Bowdoin with the Maine community through organized events, volunteering, and fundraisers in collaboration with BSAAC. She is a midfielder for the Varsity Women's Soccer program, with whom she's able to participate in volunteering through events such as KickStart, Powderpuff and Girls & Women in Sports Day. Laila is majoring in Visual Arts with a minor in Cinema Studies and enjoys immersing herself in various spheres of campus life to connect with peers outside of her team. Her ambitions for this year center around strengthening relationships within Bowdoin's Athletic Department so that athletes can collectively engage with the community on and off campus.

Lex Renkert
Director of External Engagement

Lex is the Director of External Engagement. At Bowdoin, they are a member of the women's rugby team. Lex is a Biology and ES coordinate major and a Program Assistant for Bowdoin ARAC outside of the classroom. They can often be found in the dining hall with friends or enjoying the sun on the quad.

AJ McBorrough
Director of External Engagement (Spring Semester)

AJ McBorrough will serve as the Director of External Engagement for the Athletes of Color Coalition (joining in the spring). At Bowdoin, he is a junior midfielder for the men's lacrosse team. AJ is pursuing an Economic and Government & Legal Studies double major and potentially a minor in Philosophy. Outside of his duties as a student and athlete, he likes to partake in new hobbies, recently he has been playing the guitar and photography. He also enjoys long lunches with friends and teammates and finding new music. He can't wait to join the committee and bridge connections between athletes and the student body.

Keito Ishibashi
BSAAC Representative

Keito Ishibashi is the AoCC/BSAAC representative acting as a liaison for both committees. At Bowdoin, Keito is a second-year midfielder on the men's soccer team and a prospective Biochemistry and Asian Studies major. Outside of the classroom, he is a board member of the Japanese Student Association and enjoys spending quality time with friends and teammates, especially at the beach. Keito is excited to join the committee to help increase the engagement of athletes of color on campus.

Koy Price
Social Media Coordinator

Koy Price, a senior Economics major, brings his dedication and energy to the team as a member of the football team. Alongside his gridiron pursuits, Koy takes on the role of Social Media Manager, ensuring the team's online presence shines. When he's not on the field or crafting content, you'll often find him pumping iron at the gym or honing his skills on the pickup basketball court. Koy's diverse interests and commitment make him a valuable asset both on and off the field.

Resources