I wish to correct the misleading and grossly false statements appearing in a column on the front page of Friday's (Nov. 22) sports section:

1. The program was not sponsored, facilitated or attended entirely by the Black Caucus, but concerned members of the black community.

2. Black Caucus is not and does not speak for the entire black community.

3. Black athletes were never told to carry a cause, but asked to do what they can to help their community.

4. The request to help was never made only to athletes, but to all of us who have the privilege of getting a college education.

5. Athletes in attendance were asked repeatedly about what they needed from non-athletes.

6. Everyone acknowledged the difficulties that all black students have at connecting with other black students on a majority white campus.

7. Athletes and non-athletes pledged to take a concerted initiative to improve the feelings of disconnect.

8. I personally told Deryck Toles that no one ever intended to attack him. He was also told that his feelings and any decision he makes are respected because the truth is that, athlete or not, we both share the burden of being black in America.

Finally, Chris Korman might say as I said to Deryck that it was never his intention to make false statements in his column that serve to further the distrust between black students and black athletes.

However, the fact is that Chris never questioned any of us to clarify his perceptions during or after the meeting.