Teamwork, equality and unity are values so important to Ohio men’s basketball coach Jeff Boals that he wears them across his chest.
In July, Boals unveiled the Ohio Impact T-shirt. The shirt, which was designed by Ohio alum Taylor Rhodes and is distributed by Moby Dick Unlimited, displays the traditional OHIO logo with a twist — Black power fists instead of “O’s” and shading to represent the unity of all races.
But where the shirt earns its name, is in its impact for students of color. Proceeds from the shirt go to the Ebony Bobcat Network scholarship fund. So far, Boals has helped raise more than $5,000 for the organization.
“I had no idea how much this would sell,” Boals said. “I didn’t know if it was going to be $100, $1,000 or $5,000. I just wanted to make some type of impact.
Boals originally didn’t want to sell the shirt.
A few months ago, Boals went to visit his old friend and former Ohio State basketball player, Brandon Fuss-Cheatham to speak to his e-commerce and branding company, Moby Dick Unlimited. In the meeting, Boals talked to the staff about the importance of teamwork and hard work — values that Boals wants his team to play with.
After the meeting, Boals talked to his players about having a shirt that showed their unity in a time where the country seemed as divided as ever. The team wanted it, and Boals went to work.
Now, despite crafting the concept for the idea, Boals was no artist. He also couldn’t print the shirts alone. So he sent his idea to Rhodes so she could work her magic. Once Rhodes sent her designs back, Fuss-Cheatham convinced Boals the shirts would be a hit if they were sold.
“I thought the design looked great and the message was important,” Fuss-Cheatham said.
Boals agreed, but his one stipulation was that he didn’t want to make one cent off of the shirt.
“When I sent him (Boals) back the initial design, he loved it,” Rhodes said. “Then we started talking about being able to sell it, and he said that he would really love to do something that we could give back to the community at OU and show that unity and togetherness that he was trying to foster with the team.”
So far, the shirt has made its rounds not just around Athens, but the world. Former Ohio State players such as Aaron Craft, Jared Sullinger, Evan Turner and D’Angelo Russell have supported their former coach by wearing the shirt with pride.
“Those guys have been awesome,” Boals said. “I think those guys are supporting it and the more exposure the better.”
But for Boals, the message has always been what’s most important. As a coach, he realizes he deals with Black males from different backgrounds every day. When he saw his players using their voice to stand up to systemic racism, he knew he had to do something.
“I think it’s important to know as a coach it’s not all about the x’s and o’s,” Boals said. “It’s about preparing them for life, education, you know?”
Boals has said he’s talked to his players about the importance of voting and how casting an absentee vote could create positive changes in their own communities. When he coached at Stony Brook, Boals brought in the chief of police to discuss police relations.
Conversations like the one Boals constantly has with his team are more important than ever. Boals won’t let his guys be unprepared on or off the court.
“As a coach it’s our job to educate, teach, reaffirm and try to progress,” Boals said. “It starts with change and listening and just trying to be a part of what’s going on.”
If you would like more information on Ohio Impact or if you would like to buy a shirt visit https://ohioimpact.com/
