River Forest, Ill. - Today our nation celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Student-Athletes were asked what MLK means to them:

Dr. King's legacy has made a huge impact in my life as a black collegiate athlete. Even while serving as a politician, MLK understood the power of sports. He believed that seeing successful Black athletes in the media helped the cause by serving as nonviolent symbols of successful integration and would help change the negative stereotypes associated with African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. However, King's methods also showed black athletes that inspiring Black Excellence was simply not enough. Over time, black athletes continued to step and do more than just play and remain silent while the world praised them for their athletic abilities, but continued to insult their characters and identities. Dr. King's attempts at change inspired other athletes to protest the racial injustices in their sports which can be seen from the 1968 Olympic Games, all the way up to today in 2023. Dr. King has helped people like me not be afraid to use their platforms in sports to make a difference and speak out against the inequalities that they're faced with. – Raya O'Neal, Women's Soccer

Dr King's legacy has impacted my life the most through the ethical principles he lived by and passed on to others like me. – Ethan Orange, Men's Soccer

MLK's legacy and message have impacted not only my life but the lives of many by encouraging all of us to focus on the greater good rather than ourselves. – Cassidy Kennedy, Women's Cross Country

Martin Luther King's legacy and message has impacted my life because the movement that he led made the lives of black people a lot better than they were before. I would not be able to do a lot of the things I do today if not for MLK's sacrifice and bravery. – Camron Scott, Men's Basketball

I think a big part of Dr. King's message was to not be content with inequity in our society, which is why service to community is so important. It's up to us to demand change, and a very easy way for us to make an impact is through bringing up our community. – Sophia Bartridge, Women's Soccer

I feel the Martin Luther King's legacy has inspired me to truly take on any challenge in front of me in life. He was faced with so many obstacles that could have made him give up, but he did not. He marched on and that is why there is a day honoring him. He has taught me that people who leave a mark on the world do not back down from anything. Instead they face the biggest problems head on. – Cooper Cawley, Men's Cross Country

Due to his involvement in passing the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which outlawed discrimination based on racial, ethnic, religious, and sex preferences, Martin Luther King's message had an impact on our lives. We most likely would still be experiencing racism and racial segregation without him. Basically, he advocated the idea that everyone should treat others with respect and without hostility. He had a direct impact on my life because, because to him, I can now vote in America and, as an African American, I also have access to all of the country's civil rights. – Heaven Knox, Women's Basketball

Martin Luther King's Legacy and message has impacted my life because he inspired me to fight for what I believe is right and to not handle things with violence but rather with organization. - Men's basketball player

Gives me the opportunity to get the same education as other and be able to have fair treatment no matter the color of my skin. - Ashley Green, Women's Basketball

Dr. King impacted my life because his confidence that he brought with him every day is something I try to install in me as well. He is a motivating person and makes me want to do better. – John Duszynski, Men's Basketball

Dr Martin Luther King Jr. has impacted my life by allowing me to be able to live and be in a society where I can interact with people of other races rather than being constantly discriminated and segregated against like the time period that he lived in. – Men's Soccer Captains

Dr. King's legacy and message has always been a reminder to stand up for what is right in the eyes of God, regardless of the consequences. A quote from Dr. King that exemplifies this is, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." This quote is a summary of Romans 12:17-21. - Jacob Riedl, Men's Basketball

MLK's legacy and message has impacted my life in more ways than one. He fought for equality and human civil rights, he fought not only for African American but for all the oppressed and minorities being taken advantage of. This has pushed me to always fight for what I deserve. Because of my immigration status I've been denied opportunities and jobs for people less qualified than me. Though I've been denied these chances it still pushes me to be successful and not take any opportunities for granted. - Zachary Gamster, Men's Soccer

Student-athletes were also asked what MLK's service had taught them and how it pertains to today:

It's important for service and serviceable acts to exist in today's society because there's always going to be people in need, meaning there's always a need for people to be kind and help others. – Emily Reynoso, Women's Cross Country

It is important for service acts to exist in today's society because doing service acts can benefit and bring positivity to others. – Men's Soccer Captains

It is important for serviceable acts and service to exist in today's society because all of the work that Dr. King put in must live on in order for us as a people to constantly progress. If we as people stop serviceable acts then we will stay in the same spot and not grow. – Men's Basketball Player

Acts of service is important because you don't want people to start going back how it use to be or thinking in that way! – Ashley Green, Women's Basketball

It is important for service acts to be present in today's society because they help the people around you. In today's world there seems to be less of an emphasis on caring about the people around you. Doing small acts of service can broaden your own horizons and help the people around you which is always a good thing. – Cooper Cawley, Men's Cross Country

It is essential for service and serviceable acts to exist in today's society because we all need to help each other out no matter what everyone's circumstances are. It is essential for all of us to have compassion and to look out for one another. – Cassidy Kennedy, Women's Cross Country

It is important for service and serviceable acts to exist in today's society because in today's society, everyone is isolated in their own world because of smart phones and people do not take care of others. So, serviceable acts are important to maintain the real-life connection that we all need to have with each other. – Camron Scott, Men's Basketball

Because helping others is believed to be one of the ways that people establish, maintain, and enhance their social relationships, useful acts are important in today's society. Helping others not only benefits the world, but it also benefits the one providing the assistance. According to studies, even the act of volunteering in your community improves your happiness, health, and sense of wellbeing. - Heaven Knox, Women's Basketball

Without such acts of service in modern times, society as we know it would be a much different place, one without regard to others outside of the self. – Men's Soccer Captains

Serviceable acts are important in today's society because they are an outward profession of love. If service vanished, there would be no love in action between those in society. Without love, a society will be divided against itself. "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." John 15:13 - Jacob Riedl, Men's Basketball

MLK once said "I have a dream, that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Having service acts that remember historical figures like MLK keeps their philosophies and ideals alive in our modern world. The ideas to always strive for equity and to combat the injustices of everyday life should never be forgotten. Always try to help those in need and the less fortunate. - Zachary Gamster, Men's Soccer

From Dominican University athletics, we hope that everyone has a chance to reflect on Dr. King's legacy and his impact on the world every day.