Twin Flames

How the Memorial Exhibit Changed Coach Adair and the ASU Women’s Basketball Teamarshal

Through July 28, 2024, the ASU Art Museum shows Twin Flames: The George Floyd Uprising from Minneapolis to Phoenix as an exhibit rather than a mere display because it delivers unfiltered stories of protest, resilience, and hope.

This exhibit travels outside Minnesota for the first time and features the unfiltered messages from those who demonstrated after George Floyd’s killing.

The first thing visitors see when they step into the exhibit takes the form of a serious introduction that describes Floyd’s death in Minneapolis police custody on May 25, 2020.

“ASU Art Museum presents Twin Flames because we believe imagination and creativity make healing and understanding possible.”

Beyond the carefully worded introduction, a far more intense experience follows.

A Story Beyond the History Books

The experience of those protests hits differently as visitors make their way through the exhibit. The signs and banners that once carried the hopes and dreams of the protesters now lie tattered and bent under the touch of those who once held them. The writing includes ‘I can’t breathe’ and ‘My life matters’ as well as other messages that echo through the streets as actual representations of death, anger, and justice demands. Off to the side of the room stands a powerful symbol: A powerful fist rises in the air. The wooden structure is wrapped with images of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and other people who were killed by systemic racism. The symbols of marginalized communities meet at the base and rise to form the Pan-African flag, standing tall as a strong symbol of black unity and resistance.

As you exit, one final message lingers above the doorway:

“This is our collective PTSD.”

The exhibit creates immersive experiences around actual people's lives instead of presenting historical events as dry facts. This space carries pain and resilience but transforms grief into a powerful call for change. The message resonated profoundly with the ASU Women’s Basketball Team Coach Adair.

Coach Adair: Managing During the Time of Uncertainty

On June 15, 2024, Coach Adair took the stage at the ASU Art Museum to discuss leadership, resilience, and the role of community before a gathering of people. In a conversation with Dr. Scott Brooks, Director of the Global Sport Institute at ASU, she openly discussed how the murder of George Floyd transformed her leadership approach.

“When it comes to leadership, it’s not about being in a position of power.” “It’s about accomplishing something bigger than yourself.”

When Floyd died, she was coaching at the University of Delaware. In the wake of Floyd's killing, Adair found herself, along with many other leaders, positioned at the center of a fierce storm that combined social unrest with a pandemic and student-athletes who demanded her guidance.

Her approach? First of all, she listened.

She explained, “We did a Zoom meeting with everyone.” She told her staff, “This will not be an open dialogue in which I will begin by sharing my thoughts.” I want to hear from everyone.’ I limited my inquiry to two questions: How do you feel? What can you expect from me?

She heard some very powerful things. Her players did not just want to address the situation; they wanted to learn with purpose and create enduring transformation.

We teach our young people through crisis, through adversity,” Adair said. “When you come together, you can fight for everything and win by having the right people and plan with the right purpose.”

Carrying the Message Forward

In her second year at ASU, Coach Adair brought her leadership philosophy and purpose to the Sun Devil Women’s Basketball program. With the assistance of Senior Associate Athletic Director Deana Garner Smith and the ASU Art Museum, she helped organize an event that matched the program's commitment to community engagement and social responsibility.

“It was a complete team effort,” Adair said. The response from the Sun Devil community was amazing.

Adair stresses the necessity of service because she wants her players to develop into “servant leaders” who help their communities. {“We compete on the big stage, but it’s just as important to roll up our sleeves and be part of the community. To serve. To lead. And to assist.” For Adair and her team, Twin Flames became more than just an exhibit. It reconfirmed the values they hold dear to their hearts: The power of unity and collective action, as well as the strength of resilience.

As he said, “If there are opportunities for our program to serve, please let us know. We are ready.”

If you’re a Sun Devil fan wanting to support the ASU Women’s Basketball team, find your season info on Instagram and purchase season tickets now!