Black History Month Spotlights: Randall Diabe

During Black History Month, App State Athletics is highlighting some of the accomplishments and perspective of coaches, administrators and staff members who serve as role models to our student-athletes.
 
Today, we hear from Randall Diabe, an App State alum who followed a standout career on the Mountaineers' wrestling team by becoming an assistant coach at his alma mater. Born in Liberia, he moved to the United States when he was 8 years old.

Q: Why is it important that we acknowledge and celebrate Black History Month?
Diabe: At App State, where the community is predominantly white, we have athletes of color, and by acknowledging it, it shows those athletes that equality and representation are important here at App State. It has an effect on people like me, too, because beyond some of us just being known as athletes, it lets people know that black people matter in this community.
 
Q: What's the impact of having more representation in wrestling, like younger guys on the team seeing you go from an App State student-athlete to coach?
Diabe: For me, it's leading by example. In my upbringing, I had people that I looked up to and that helped lead me to pick the path I'm on now. Having a lot of people help me, it makes you feel like, when you grow up, you want to help others, too. Just giving back to the guys and having them see what I've experienced and how far I've come to being on staff, they realize they can achieve high things and the bigger goals that you set for yourself if you just believe in the process and do the right things.
 
It's an honor being here on staff and having those guys feel like they've got somebody they can talk to. I hope I can stay here long as possible and keep leading by example and making an impact.
 
Q: Is it a point of pride to be a role model for some of the younger guys that you coach?
Diabe: It does make you feel good. Some people know my background, that it wasn't the easiest path, but you stick to it. I'm not perfect or anything, but being a part of this program and part of the community here at App State, it's great to work with guys that do have big goals. With the diversity of our team, the more open we are, the better our program can be.
 
Q: Who were some of the role models and mentors that helped you achieve what you've accomplished?
Diabe: There have been a lot of people, and my mom was No. 1. My speech teacher back in the second grade, Marylou Rice, she opened a door for me from being a shy kid who wasn't very articulate. She went above and beyond, talking to my parents and inviting me to her house where I could just be me and talk to her kids and feel more normal. After that, I started talking more and more and learned how to open up, so that's one thing I'm really grateful for.

My third-grade teacher, she also did great things for me and also went above and beyond. Because of work, my dad wasn't around as much when I was traveling with sports, but I had a coach in Stefan Greenlee who is still a big part of my life to this day. He opened a lot of doors for me, and I honestly feel a lot of my success is because of him.
 
I've had so many people and coaches, and surrounding myself with a lot of good people definitely helped. It led me to meeting JohnMark Bentley and helping me get to where I'm at today. I was able to see there are good people in this world, no matter if you're black or white or something else, and I'm thankful for the kind-hearted people I was able to surround myself with.
 
Q: Being born outside the United States, does that change or affect your perspective on Black History Month?
Diabe: In Africa, almost everyone is black, and moving to the United States and learning the history here and how people were treated and what people had to go through to get the same freedoms, it did open my eyes that not everywhere is the same and equality is not the same everywhere.
 
Q: With the spotlight this month, what are some important lessons or messages to bring to light during Black History Month?
Diabe: That everyone's lives, they all matter. If you can put yourself in the shoes of another person and walk in the shoes of somebody else for a day instead of judging them, it really offers perspective. You just have to continue to have an open mind, and by putting yourself in another person's shoes, you'll treat more people like you want to be treated.
 
Q: What are the things that helped you get to where you are today?
Diabe: Some of it was just having blind faith. If I didn't have blind faith in the people that have helped me, I don't know if I'd be here. With some of the people I mentioned, it's just building a relationship and trusting the person you look up to, buying into them. I feel like once you do that, no matter the ups and downs you go through, they'll always empathize with you and understand you. They'll work with you and open more doors and help you build more relationships.
 
I used to be a hard-headed kid trying to be cool and fit in with everybody else, but you kind of find your own way to being the kind of person you are. I never thought I was going to be a wrestling coach, but JohnMark opened that door for me, and I took the spot, and look where I'm at. It's been a fun ride. I trusted the process. I listened and did what people asked of me. In return, doors opened and opportunities came my way.