FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Athletic Departments Engaging in Important Conversations.
MANSFIELD, Mass. – Northeast-10 Conference institutions are not shying away from difficult conversations, and in their effort to address social justice and racial inequality in our society, they have formed student-athlete groups on campus to tackle these issues through education and thoughtful action.
Over the past couple of weeks, institutions like Franklin Pierce, New Haven, Southern Connecticut and Stonehill have created student-athlete run organizations to promote diverse environments and combat discrimination in all forms.
For more information on what our NE10 institutions are doing to contribute to the conversation through the power of sport, please see below.
ADELPHI
Diversity and Inclusion Council
A group consisting of student-athletes, administrators and coaches, Adelphi's Diversity and Inclusion Council works year-round through different initiatives to promote fair and equitable environments for everyone in athletics, on campus and in the community – regardless of race, ethnicity, ability, religion, age, gender or sexual orientation. Diversity signage can be seen throughout athletic buildings on campus.
FRANKLIN PIERCE
Justice in Action Athletic Alliance (JAAA)
Story Link: https://www.fpuravens.com/sports/General_Releases/2020-21/091020-JAAA
Started by Franklin Pierce women's soccer head coach Jonathan Garbar, the stated mission of the alliance is "to serve as a platform in which effective expression, progressive education and thoughtful action are sponsored and celebrated." It is a student-athlete run group that will work in collaboration with the Department of Athletics to be social justice leaders on campus and in the NE10. The JAAA has already been featured in a pair of local stories, highlighting the work they've done to engage in their community.
- https://www.ledgertranscript.com/Justice-In-Action-Athletic-Alliance-at-Franklin-Pierce-University-Black-Lives-Matter-police-36252410
- https://www.sentinelsource.com/news/local/social-justice-movement-among-athletes-includes-franklin-pierce-group/article_5b5d655f-b752-59c3-b6cc-a11f9bdb912d.html
NEW HAVEN
Chargers Alliance
Deputy Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator Robin Salters, along with Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Shaunnaya Williams, are overseeing a newly-formed group at New Haven made up of student-athletes. Their mission is to have difficult, but constructive conversations to help their community move forward with grace, empathy and fortitude in the education and support of their student-athletes and staff on all topics related to diversity and inclusion, but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender and privilege.
SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT
Athletes Fighting Injustice
Another newly-formed group, Athletes Fighting Injustice is comprised of SCSU student-athletes from various teams, as well as races, genders and sexual orientations. The group is a product of the "Owls Stand Together Against Racism" forum that was hosted by SCSU athletics back in July. The mission includes items such as empowering student-athletes to be leaders on campus on anti-racism issues, as well as understanding activism through protests.
STONEHILL
Athletics Task Force to Address Racial Injustice
Story Link: https://www.stonehillskyhawks.com/general/2019-20/releases/20200612iqdmus
Stonehill has issued a call to action on campus for addressing racial injustices by forming a task force, consisting of student-athletes, coaches, athletic staff, faculty and chaired by the Director of Athletics. The goal is to create forums for conversation, identify opportunities to take action, collaborate with community members on various initiatives and advocate for the resources necessary to act.
ABOUT THE NE10
Beginning its 40th anniversary season, the NE10 is an association of 14 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.