Steve Prohm could have talked for hours, it seems, about how much awareness his included has been heightened since the George Floyd tragedy.

Hes done it through conversations with his assistant coaches. Its happened through large-group and small-group virtual meetings with players.

It was something that needed to happen, not only him, but with everyone associated with the Iowa State basketball program he oversees.

Weve covered a variety of topics. Its been healthy, for not only the players, but also the coaches, Prohm told reporters Monday.

Its challenged me to learn; to really understand. We all need to do that. We all need to grow. We need to continue to figure out ways to make much-needed change.

He spoke a couple hours after it became public why Rasir Bolton transferred from Penn State to ISU.

He spoke a week after Blake Hinson said one of the factors behind transferring from Ole Miss to ISU was because of the Confederate emblem on the Mississippi state flag.

He spoke, knowing that some of his players and coaches participated in what he called peaceful protests.

Any of our players have my support from the standpoint of talking, bringing awareness, trying to make a difference and using their platforms, Prohm said. I support those guys 100 percent from that standpoint. This is our future.

For me as a coach, Ive got to figure out ways to be better. Thats just the bottom line. Ive got to figure out ways to help my guys more. Ive got to figure out ways to educate myself more. Ive got to figure out ways to lead better to making sure Im open to listening to everybody. Theyre all going through a lot of different things. I cant put myself in their shoes. Thats why Ive got to be an awesome listener.

Coaches and players have had regular conference calls. Theyve had small-group discussions. Prohm meets virtually each week with players parents. Players have generally been off-limits to reporters since last Februarys loss to Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Conference tournament.

They have a platform, Prohm said of his players. They need to utilize that, for the things that they want to see changed. We support those guys.

Prohm talked about other things during the 40-minute session, like

Will there even be a basketball season?

I think so, Prohm responded with cautious optimism.

He understands why college administrators everywhere have had things other than hoops on their minds since the coronavirus pandemic changed how we live. Prohm knows, for example, that the game his buddy, Matt Campbell, coaches, is the engine that drives athletic departments everywhere.

He knows more people wonder if and when a 2020 football season will start, than wonder the same about basketball in November.

Our first focus has to be football to get them up and running, he said. Football is the major driving force for a lot of things. Weve got to get them up and running first, and then well go forward from there. Im sure a lot of decisions will be made based on how football goes.

An Election Day off

Big 12 basketball coaches were unanimous in declaring the Nov. 3 Election Day to be a players day off.

Its a movement, not a moment, Prohm said. Weve done a great job of collaborating with each other since the major push and major focus for change in our country started with George Floyds tragedy.

We wanted to make sure we took that day off, to spend more time listening better and learning the importance of why taking that day off is important.

He mentioned making players aware of voting procedures poll locations and absentee ballots.

Those are things right now that everybody should be trying to learn as much as possible about, he said.

Healthy advice to the players: Stay away from socializing

Workouts start in two weeks. Players report next week. Story County hasnt exactly been immune to COVID-19 positive tests, although just four have been associated with the Cyclone football program.

We have to emphasize with our players that when youre not at the Sukup (practice facility), you need to be making good decisions, Prohm said. That means wearing your mask, not going to out to eat, and staying in your apartment as much as possible.

Weve talked about the things that we need to do, to have a great reintegration process and to keep everybody heathy.

Prohms bottom line?

This isnt time to be out socially and trying to have a great, great time if we want to keep healthy.

Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson has been writing for the Des Moines Register for parts of six decades. Reach him at rpeterson@dmreg.com, 515-284-8132, and on Twitter at @RandyPete.

Originally posted here:

Peterson: Steve Prohm advocates players players utilizing their platform to bring much-needed social change - Ames Tribune