MR. & MRS.

REGINALD WILLIAMS

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Thank you to all who have supported the Williams family during this tough time.
It has been an amazing demonstration of love, kindness, togetherness and
encouragement that has been shown towards our family. This incident has
impacted and forever changed our family and many others across the nation. As
our family starts the healing process we want all to know and understand it was
never our intent to leave the University of Arkansas Fort Smith as portrayed. If
Coach Boone and Attorney Mars had checked with school administration, they
would have known several things Tyler had completed prior to the meeting with
Boone:

• Completed course enrollment weeks before the start of school

• Completion of the UAFS housing agreement
• Completely moved in and living in the suite assigned to Tyler by UAFS a day
before the meeting with Boone.

Completions of the above things amongst others are not the behaviors and actions
of a student who wishes to transfer 3 (three) days prior to school beginning as
falsely reported. Our intentions and motive were for Tyler to continue his
education at UAFS and graduate in May 2020 with a Bachelors Degree in
Organizational Leadership and a member of the UAFS Men’s Basketball team.

It was also reported “Boone had recruited some players that were more talented.
It was fairly obvious to everyone - including Tyler – that he probably wasn’t going
to get much time on the court next season if he stayed at UA-Fort Smith.” When
you are the leading PPG (points per game) returning player on the UAFS team in
addition to leading the 9-school conference in free throw percentage, playing time
is not the issue. It was Boone’s so-called “out of character” behavior and Boone
dismissing Tyler from the team that led us to this point. Tyler did not choose to
leave UAFS Men’s Basketball team on his own accord; Boone dismissed him. Maya
Angelou once said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the
first time.” We firmly believe this was not out of character for Boone.

The 9-minute audio from the locker room that transpired after the meeting with
Boone was reported to be Williams and his family having a friendly conversation
with the assistant coach. This statement is in fact false as well. Had Boone

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looked into this further, he would have known it was his son, assistant coach
Jimmy Boone and a recruit along with his family in the locker room that was heard
having a friendly conversation. Boone has sadly mistaken one African-American
family’s voice for another. We are sorry to inform you that all African-American
families don’t sound alike. Had Boone confirmed this with his son and hallway
security film, he would have known. The recruit and his family kindly asked Tyler
to take their photo to which Tyler obliged. The full audio is and has always been
in the possession of the UAFS administration since August including media outlets.
This newly found evidence as previously reported is in fact not new at all. Had
those alleging the audio was edited had listened completely; the 9-minute audio
has always been there.

We received a letter from Beverly McClendon; Director of Human Resources/EEO

Officer stating Boone could have better communicated his grooming policy
regarding hair length (not hair style) and demonstrated greater sensitivity in
addressing our concerns in order to avoid having his stance misconstrued. She
goes on to say “We (UAFS) do not believe his conduct constitutes racial
discrimination. Director McClendon, length of hair was not the issue, Boone
discriminated against the style of his hair as you can clearly hear in the audio. It
is puzzling to us and the world how you can find his stance non-discriminatory
when Tyler’s natural dreadlocked hair is exclusive to African-Americans.

Thank you to the members of the Fort Smith, Arkansas community who have
stood in front, beside and behind our family. Thank you to the UAFS Black
Student Association, City Director Good, State Representative Jay Richardson and
countless others who have worked to help bring this injustice to the forefront. We
personally have not yet received an apology from Coach Boone or the University
of Arkansas Fort Smith Chancellor, Teresa Riley.

Many things have transpired on the campus of UAFS to try and right the wrong
that has been done. Such acts fall on deaf ears when Boone chooses to not own
his actions and behaviors that have caused pain on others. Coach Boone, we
demand that you step up and OWN IT! UAFS, own the fact this was handled
poorly. Own the fact you have caused a scholar and student-athlete to feel
unwanted on your campus. Own the fact that this incident has forever placed a
stain on the citizens and community of Fort Smith, Arkansas that the world can
now see. Until there is a verbal and written apology to our son and family, your

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actions are futile and show no respect for our family, the university or the citizens
of Fort Smith, Arkansas.

As John Madden would say, that’s what it’s all about.

Sincerely,
Mr. & Mrs. Reginald Williams
Tyler Williams, Former UAFS Student