Sacramento Republic player helps create limited-edition scarf to support charities
Duke Lacroix has always had an artistic side.
The Sacramento Republic defender has taken a graphics design course and worked on film editing. But his newest project, a limited-edition scarf, is more than an art project. Lacroix helped develop the scarf for the USL’s Black Players Alliance. Sales of the scarf will benefit two player-led charities: Sacramento native Amobi Okugo’s Ok U Go Foundation and the Footy’s Got You foundation, which is run by Lacroix’s former teammate, Hugh Roberts. Both charities benefit underrepresented youth.
The scarves cost $30 and are available online at the USL’s website. On one side, they feature in large lettering the phrase “Dream in color.” On the other, it says “Honor the past” and “Inspire the future.”
“It’s really emblematic of what I’m trying to do on my personal journey, how can art affect change,” Lacroix said.
The Sacramento Republic player is quick to give credit to T.J. Greer, the league’s graphic designer, who worked on the scarf.
“He deserves a lot if not all of the credit for how this came out. He did all the work on the technical,” Lacroix said. “He wanted to get the players’ perspective and we just ran through it together. It was awesome fine-tuning what the final project was.”
Lacroix said the scarf is honors the mission of the BPA. While there are plenty of minority faces in soccer, there are few in management. That mirrors the NFL, where Mike Tomlin is the lone Black head coach and former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores is suing the league over systemic racism in its hiring process.
“As someone who grew up playing soccer, you don’t really have Black faces or minority faces in higher positions in the soccer field,” Lacroix said. “So as a young athlete, you look up and you don’t see people in front offices or as coaches and that is an ultimate goal of the BPA of seeing that happen.”
Lacroix’s scarf went up for sale at the start of Black History month, which the team is also celebrating with a variety of charitable work. The team partnered with the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce to present a $1,000 scholarship for eligible students. For full eligibility and application requirements, visit SacRepublicFC.com/Scholarship before the Feb. 25 deadline.
Republic is raising money for Black-owned businesses and will facilitate charitable donations throughout the month. The team is also giving fans a chance to win prizes to a different Black-owned business every week. Follow the team on social media for information on how to enter.
This story was originally published February 4, 2022 at 8:46 AM.