We’re Playing Smart and supporting Safe Storage.
Kelvin Sampson, head coach, University of Houston
Ron Cottrell, head men’s coach, Houston Christian University
Donna Finnie, head women’s coach, Houston Christian University
Jason Hooten, head coach, Sam Houston State University
Scott Pera, head coach, Rice University
Johnny Jones, head coach, Texas Southern University
Mitch Henderson, head coach, Princeton University
Brian Earl, head coach, Cornell University
Mike Brennan, head coach, American University
Joe Scott, head coach, Air Force Academy
Bill Carmody, former head coach, Northwestern University, College of the Holy Cross and Princeton University
Brent Wilson, head coach, Sullivan County Community College
Kevin Ryan, head coach, Raritan Valley Community College
Anthony Obery, head coach, County College of Morris (NJ)
Bobbie Morgan, head coach, Essex County Community College
Howard Levy, head coach, Mercer County Community College (NJ)
Ryan Marks, head men’s coach, University of St. Francis (IL)
John McGinty, head women’s coach, University of St. Francis (IL)
Jim Whitesell, head coach, University of Buffalo
Andre Cook, head coach, St. Edward’s University
Scott Trost, head coach, Lewis University
Bob Sundvold, head coach, University of Missouri - St. Louis
Stan Bonewitz, head coach, Concordia University (TX)
Chris Wright, head coach, Langston University
Cory Baldwin, head coach, South Georgia State College
Steve Lutz, head coach, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Willis Wilson, former head coach, Rice University and Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Jason Burton, head women’s coach, Texas A&M University - Commerce
Josh Pastner, head coach, Georgia Tech
Joe Golding, head coach, UTEP
Dr. Carson Cunningham, head coach, University of The Incarnate Word
Van Chancellor, former head coach, WNBA Houston Comets, Ole Miss, LSU, USA Basketball (Women), Naismith Hall of Fame member, current HCU (ESPN+) color commentator
Mark Slessinger, head coach, University of New Orleans.
“Senseless violence has become far too common across our country and in our communities. If there are any measures that can be taken to prevent the senseless loss of life get behind it! One right decision can delete a life full of regret and sorrow.”
Joe Kennedy, Executive Director, All Vote No Play.
“So many coaches and players have a personal connection to gun violence. It touches everyone and it does not discriminate. I believe there are simple and effective ways to make a difference tackling gun violence…and secure storage is a key step.”
Benjy Taylor, head coach, Tuskegee University.
“Gun violence is a problem in the United States. I am all in for the education piece.”
Carolyn Cuffee, Houston Christian University.
“This senseless killing must end. Our family dynamic is forever changed!”
Stephen Donahue, head coach, University of Pennsylvania.
“Guns have destroyed many lives in this country. We all need to do what we can to stop this violence.”
Fran Dunphy, head coach, Lasalle University.
Chris Walker, CBS Sports & Studio Host-Broadcaster
Nick Nichay, head coach, Franklin and Marshall College
Matt Goldsmith, head coach, The College of New Jersey
Rick Giles, President, Gazelle Group
Brian Taylor, former NBA and ABA player, CEO of Brian Taylor Leadership Institute
John Thompson III, former head coach Georgetown and Princeton, Vice President of Monumental Sports
Armond Hill, Director of Basketball Administration, Indiana University
“I think it is a worthy cause if it can help save lives - I think its a no brainer!"
Lon Kruger, former head coach, Oklahoma, UNLV, Illinois, Florida, Kansas State, UT-Pan American and Atlanta Hawks
Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education
“We don’t have to live like this. The level of heartbreak, trauma, loss, fear, and devastation caused by gun violence in our country is beyond devastating. I am proud to join coaches and Play Smart in their effort to end the epidemic of gun violence that haunts us."
Matt Elkin, Director of Operations, Yale Men’s Basketball
“Gun violence has impacted all of us in one way or another. We have all lost someone or know someone who has lost a teammate, a friend, or a family member. We need to educate young people on the repercussions and consequences of this split second decision that can have life-long impacts on their lives and the lives of those around them."
Pat Kennedy, former head coach, Florida State and DePaul University
"I fully support coaches and student athletes shining a light on reducing gun violence by safe storage. It is an immediate step that can have positive effects across the county. ‘Play Smart’ makes sense!”
James Jones, head coach, Yale
“Anything I can do to protect the lives of innocent children, I’m behind 100%! Play Smart’s message is logical and simple to help in the fight against gun violence.”
Steve Averill, head coach (JV girls), Santa Margarita Catholic high School
“We need to take some kind of action at the grass roots level to address gun violence. This is one step of many that need to be taken!”
Geoffrey Gray, graduate assistant, Auburn University
“We have lost too many lives to gun violence.”
Seth Eilberg, head coach (boys), The Hill School
“Hope to end gun violence.”
Lior Levy, assistant coach, Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School
“Too many children being killed by gun violence with nothing significant being done to stop it.”
Maggie Collins, Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications, Southland Conference
“I support secure storage because I was a coach/teacher before entering the world of college athletics. I received more training on what to do in the event of a school shooting than I did on any other subject during our yearly trainings. It was both terrifying and shocking how normal we all seem to think it is.”
Luke Hillin, Chief of Staff, Men’s Basketball, Texas A & M
“Owning and possessing a firearm is a serious responsibility. Securely storing firearms is the only responsible way to store them.”
Chip Wilde, head coach, Eureka College
Bruce Hamburger, assistant coach, Pace University
“Secure storage will help stop senseless deaths. This is a common sense solution to a problem that affects too many innocent victims.”
Rod Balanis, associate head coach, Howard University
“Our country needs this.”
Daniel Marks, chief program strategist, Howard University
“The epidemic of gun violence in America is all too familiar to many of us. Any steps we can take in the sports community to help raise awareness of these critical issues I will support.”
Jim Young, supporter/advocate, Howie Levy
“ Storing guns safely is an apolitical, common sense way to save lives.”
Daniel Poneman, agent
Gary DeCesare, head coach, De La Salle Institute
Mike Martin, head coach, Brown University
“Too many unnecessary deaths in our country due to gun violence.”
John Ball, head coach, Harcum College
“Too many young lives are being lost to negligence and violence.”
Jason Hawkins, head coach, Trinity Christian College
“Storing guns safely will help save lives. We must do something.”
Scott Greenman, assistant coach, Chattanooga
Javier Heridia, head coach, Indiana University Northwest
“Gun education and smart decision making is what I am forced to discuss with my team on a weekly basis due the team makeup.”
Devin Ellis, assistant coach, Indiana Univerisyt Northwest
Jeremy Freeman, director of operations, Mount St. Mary’s
Steve Ongley, assistant coach, Howard University
Randy Peele, assistant to the head coach, Missouri State
Jack Shields, assistant coach, Sterling College
Ryan Peter, assistant coach, University of St. Francis
Zachary Hinson, assistant coach, University of St. Francis
Patrick Stacy, founder, Jam Basketball Intelligence
Rob Rollinson, assistant coach, University of Texas Tyler
Larry Mangino, assistant coach, University of Virginia
Johnny Jones, head coach, Texas Sourthern
Jason Ivery, assistant coach, Temple University
Jeff Brown, head coach, Middlebury College
Keith Berard, assistant coach, California Polytechnic State University
Quintin Garrison, associate head coach, Trinity International
Dan Earl, University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Larry Cordaro, former head coach, Louisiana State University Alexandria
Jaret von Rosenberg, commerce head coach, Texas A&M University
Jamie Dixon, head coach, Texas Christian University