Chicago City Wire

The controversy over a quip by Illinois State University Director of Athletics Larry Lyons that "all Redbird lives matter" is ill-placed and those who worked a negative spin should be "ashamed," a Chicago-based Republican committeewoman said.

"This is utterly ridiculous and I cannot even believe it is considered 'newsworthy'," 41st Ward Republican Committeewoman Ammie Kessem said during a Chicago City Wire email interview. "It was a joke. Have people lost their sense of humor?"

A sense of humor is what people need during these divisive times and Lyons' quip was just the thing, Kessem said.

"I think at a time when so many are dealing with divisiveness, especially in our education system, we should embrace a little bit of laughter," she said. "The fact he felt compelled to give a public apology over this is sad."

Athletes who play for Illinois State walked out late last month and refused to practice after Lyons reportedly quipped "all Redbird lives matter" during a private conference call with coaches and staff.

The quip appears to have been in reference to Illinois State's mascot, Reggie Redbird, as well as a play on “all lives matter” slogan, a common retort by critics to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Lyons has served about 30 years with Illinois State's athletics department, according to his bio on the department's website. He was appointed department director in May 2013.

Earlier this month, Illinois State athletes marched across campus in protest over Lyon's quip.

Sophomore Redbird Volleyball player Paige Hilliard, one of several speakers who addressed those gathered for the march, said the Black Lives Matter movement strengthens the community.

"I hope that when we say Black Lives Matter you do not see this as a declaration of others not mattering, but as uplifting the Black community to the same position as others," Hilliard said in an ISU radio WZND story at the time. "Because if all Redbird lives matter, why are we here?"

Lyons was compelled to apologize days before the march and subsequently promised "positive changes" following a turbulent week on the ISU campus.

"I think we're going to a good place," Lyons said in a Sept. 2 Chicago Tribune news story. "We're all trying to reach out and listen better. I need to listen better and we're engaging with student-athletes about best ways to move forward. There's some anger and I understand that. I wouldn't want to diminish that. This is important. We're going to move forward. We're going to tackle this head on. Education is a big part of it, and that starts with me."

Earlier this week, Illinois Family Institute writer Laurie Higgins told McLean County Times that Lyons "had nothing to apologize for and should not have apologized."

In the same news story, Higgins criticized the university's administration for being "foolish, spineless, and embarrassing" in bowing to the demands of "leftists students."

Lyons clearly meant no harm, Kessem said.

"There was no ill intent here and those who are attempting to spin it that way should be ashamed of themselves," she said.