Jack Trice is not just a name on a stadium — he is a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and the long struggle for racial justice in America. As the first African American athlete at Iowa State University, Jack Trice gave his life in 1923 after sustaining injuries on the field. His story embodies the values of perseverance, inclusivity, and equality — values that Iowa State students, alumni, and supporters hold dear.

Yet today, there are efforts underway to strip his name from Jack Trice Stadium. This attempt to erase his legacy does not happen in a vacuum. Across the country, political leaders like President Donald Trump and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds have aggressively pushed to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in schools and universities. They have sought to rename landmarks — including moves to replace names like that of the U.S.N.S. Harriet Tubman, a tribute to one of America’s greatest freedom fighters — as part of a broader effort to whitewash history and silence stories of resilience from marginalized communities.

Jack Trice’s name and memory must not become the next casualty of this erasure. To rename the stadium would dishonor his sacrifice, diminish Iowa State’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, and send a harmful message to future generations of students.

We, the undersigned, call on Iowa State University’s administration and the Iowa Board of Regents to preserve the name Jack Trice Stadium permanently. Jack Trice’s story is Iowa State’s story, and his legacy must be protected as a beacon of truth, courage, and justice.

Our demands:

Publicly commit to keeping the name Jack Trice Stadium.
Reaffirm Iowa State University’s dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Resist political pressures aimed at erasing or revising history.
History must be preserved, not rewritten. Jack Trice’s name must remain on the stadium — forever.