DUDLEY, Mass. (2/2/2026) – The Nichols College Division of Athletics enters week three of its celebration of Black History Month, where it as highlighted members of both the student-athlete and athletic support staff population on campus throughout the month of February.
This week's feature highlights a member of the Athletic Communications team at Nichols - Graduate Assistant, Caleb Blake.
The project highlights the voices of Black student-athletes as they share their personal perspectives on Black History Month. Through reflection and lived experience, participants discuss what Black History Month means to them, how their identity shapes their journey in athletics, and the impact of Black history and culture on sports today. The project aims to celebrate excellence, amplify authentic student voices, and create space for education, dialogue, and reflection within the athletics community. By centering these stories, the initiative honors the past while recognizing the continued influence and leadership of Black athletes in collegiate athletics.
A native of Gwynn Oak, Maryland, Blake is a 2024 graduate from Bard College with a Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies, concentrating in Data Analytics and Social Justice. Throughout his time at Bard, Blake spent all four years working closely with the Sports Information Director, assisting with game day operations for Bard's 11 varsity programs. In the 2024 season, he served as the primary communications contact for the women's soccer team.
Blake's responsibilities included compiling in-game statistics using NCAA Live Stats, writing post-game recaps, managing rosters and schedules, assisting with live stream production, and capturing game-day photography. His dedication to the field was recognized with a nomination and acceptance to the 2024 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Summer Conference. While working with the Athletic Communications Department, Blake will be pursuing his Master's of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL).
Q1) What does Black History Month mean to you personally as a graduate assistant?
"Black History Month means a great deal to me as a graduate assistant. I think it's extremely important because when people think about Black Americans and sports, there is often an immediate association with them solely being athletes. As a graduate assistant, I take pride in knowing that the percentage of Black and Brown individuals doing what I do—especially in athletic communications—is drastically smaller than those competing as athletes. Being in this position allows me to represent a different pathway within sports, one that highlights leadership, communication, and academic achievement."
Q2) How has your identity shaped your experience working in college athletics?
"My identity has significantly shaped my experience working in college athletics for many reasons, but the most important is understanding that my presence in this position represents more than just a job—it represents possibility. As I mentioned previously, there are not many graduate assistants in my field who look like me or who have experienced the hardships I have persevered through. Because of this, I feel a responsibility to put my best foot forward and help open pathways for other Black and Brown individuals to pursue similar careers."
"I also make a conscious effort to never silence my identity in the workplace. While code-switching can be an important professional skill, I believe there is a difference between adapting and losing yourself. I strive to remain authentic through how I communicate, how I present myself within professional guidelines, and the standards I hold myself to. Maintaining that authenticity allows me to honor where I come from while still growing within my professional environment."
Q3) Are there moments between your undergraduate experiences and today where you've felt especially proud of your heritage?
"Yes—every day. There isn't a single day that I am not proud of being Black. Regardless of any awards I've received or projects I've completed, those accomplishments do not increase or decrease the pride I already have in my heritage. That pride exists independently of achievement—it is foundational to who I am."
Q4) How do you hope your story or voice can inspire future collegiate prospects?
"I hope my story can inspire future collegiate prospects by showing them that there are meaningful and impactful ways to be involved in college sports beyond being an athlete. You can belong in these spaces and build a career here without competing on the field or court."
"My undergraduate thesis explored the idea that the Black student-athlete experience is uniquely complex, shaped by academic demands, historical and racial expectations, and personal pressures from family and community. Many Black athletes are socialized to view sports as a form of work from a young age, rather than purely as recreation. Because of this, I want to help break the stigma that sports can only be a career through athletic participation. There are many pathways within athletics—including communications, administration, and leadership—that allow individuals to remain connected to sports while prioritizing their academic and professional growth."
