MOBILE, Ala. – In response to social justice issues that have arisen across the country, over the summer the University of South Alabama Department of Athletics initiated a Diversity and Inclusion Task Force that includes both staff and student-athletes.
The charges of the Task Force include promoting a culture in which diversity and inclusion are an integral component of the educational experience of student-athletes and staff as well as presenting a theme — or a collection of themes — to be emphasized in order to generate greater awareness and help make the University an even more understanding and inclusive community for people of all races, ethnicities, faiths and cultures. The group will aim to align its actions and programming with that of the University Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Among the objectives of the Task Force are providing diversity and inclusion awareness and education, highlighted by programs including "Jags for Justice," "Be the Change" and support of the current "Black Lives Matter" movement. The Task Force will take an active role of leadership in educating and guiding student-athletes through the process of voter registration and the electoral process including providing information on where and how to register while utilizing university resources, providing transportation as needed for student-athletes to vote, and connecting student-athletes and teams willing to offer volunteer assistance with local voting polls. The group will also work with various department and University entities to promote of social justice, equality, athletic department diversity and student rights issues by offering opportunities for learning and understanding for both student-athletes and staff.
The Task Force will identify opportunities for activism and community involvement as well by utilizing games and other athletic events to promote activism and engagement. It also includes a committee charged with the task of creating and executing a mentorship program available to all student-athletes with an emphasis on individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Members of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force include:
• Hunter Appling, Men's Track & Field Student-Athlete
• Paul Brueske, Head Men's and Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Coach
• Autavia Fluker, Women's Track & Field Student-Athlete
• Terry Fowler, Head Women's Basketball Coach (co-chair)
• Dr. Paul Frazier, University Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
• Jinni Frisbey, Senior Associate Athletic Director (co-chair)
• Meagan Jones, Volleyball Student-Athlete
• Jeremiah Littles, Football Student-Athlete
• Megan MacLeod, Assistant Athletic Director
• Kristin Mass, Associate Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services
• Evan McCants, Cheerleading Student-Athlete
• Alexis Meeks, Head Volleyball Coach
• Amorrow Morgan, Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach
• Victoria Ortiz, Softball Student-Athlete
• Dr. Paige Vitulli, NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative
• Larry Warner, Assistant Football Coach
• LaPetra Westbrook-Johnson, Athletic Ticket Office Manager
• Jermaine Williams, Assistant Athletic Director
Members of the Task Force were selected from a pool of interested applicants with the intent to assemble a diverse group of staff and students who are encouraged to engage in open and honest discussions that lead to strategies for meaningful change. The Task Force's first point of business was to participate in a Sun Belt Conference Racial Equity Workshop on July 20, and has since met twice a month; all student-athletes, staff and members of campus and the community are encouraged to communicate their thoughts and ideas to any individual on the Task Force.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
Join the South Circle, the unrestricted giving option of the University of South Alabama Athletics. Contributions to the South Circle directly support all 17 sports in addition to various support programming. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/give
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