This year the NCAA and the NE10, in partnership with the Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee (MOIC) and Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAACs), are excited share the stories of our amazing student-athletes as part of this year's Diversity & Inclusion Campaign. Day 1 focuses on "My Story Matters", which explores student-athletes' identities, perspectives, and experiences.

We've captured some of the best pieces from around the NE10 below and to view the stories of thousands more student-athletes across the nation, search the hashtag #NCAAInclusion or #MyStoryMatters on Instagram and Twitter.

It's NCAA Diversity & Inclusion Week! Today we join @NCAADII and @TheNortheast10 in sharing why our stories matter. Watch Liz D'Agostino of @SaintRoseSball share why her story matters and use #NCAAInclusion to share why your story matters. pic.twitter.com/M2UJZCKiw7

— Saint Rose Athletics (@gogoldenknights) October 27, 2020

It’s NCAA Diversity & Inclusion Week! Today we join @NCAADII and @TheNortheast10 in sharing why our stories matter. Watch Divah Johnson of @SaintRoseXCTF share why her story matters and use #NCAAInclusion to share why your story matters. pic.twitter.com/kQFXxh9D7C

— Saint Rose Athletics (@gogoldenknights) October 27, 2020

.@Stonehillsball shares their stories and why it matters to them during day 1 of the #NCAAInclusion Social Media Campaign! #GoHill #NE10Embrace40 pic.twitter.com/6ca8bnv07h

— Stonehill Athletics (@GoStonehill) October 27, 2020

The one thing that gave Lexi hope was running.

And �������������� was going to stand in the way of that.

��️: https://t.co/HJpQBVkTuf#HailAdelphi #GoPanthers #NCAAInclusion #MyStoryMatters �� pic.twitter.com/QmaUr1Cgkf

— Adelphi M&W XC/Track & Field (@AdelphiXCTrack) October 27, 2020

It’s NCAA Diversity & Inclusion Week! Today we want you to tell us why YOUR story matters. How does your story matter when it comes to diversity and inclusion? Use #NCAAInclusion to share who you are, what your story is, and how you can use that story for diversity and inclusion! pic.twitter.com/crAUlrghom

— FPU Ravens (@FPUathletics) October 27, 2020

First up we have a talk with senior Annie Keppel-Palmer of @Pace_Swim_Dive!

Annie discusses her path to Pace, in addition to her experiences as a Setter student-athlete!

Full Video: https://t.co/ZYUbVKcx8Y pic.twitter.com/O9mbrEA19w

— Pace Athletics (@PaceUAthletics) October 27, 2020

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Zach Elliot (Senior) and Josue Assantha (Sophomore) share their stories for Day 1! We have been close friends for 5 years, but our stories and life experiences have been very different. Zach: I was born in Manchester, NH and have lived here all my life. Soccer has always been an important part of my life and it has allowed me to get where I am today. It has taught me to have a strong work ethic, fight for something other than myself, and it has also allowed me to meet and form lifelong friendships with people like Josue. We met in high school and played on the same soccer team at Manchester Central. We played on our school team and numerous club teams together. After high school, I went to Merrimack College and played soccer there for 1 year before I transferred to Saint Anselm. Although my team at Merrimack won the NE10 championship, I felt alone and isolated from my team. I almost quit the sport that I loved so much. Transferring here allowed me to find that passion again. Our team wasn?t the best at first, but we are now on the rise and have a ton of talent. I love my teammates because we don?t just play with each other on the field, we are also so close off the field as well. This year, Josue transferred here and that really meant a lot to me because he trusted me and the team we have here. It?ll be so special when we get to play together again after all those years playing at Central. Josue: I was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and moved to the United States when I was 10 years old. Soccer helped me learn English and fit in in my new country. I met Zach at Central High School when I was a Sophomore and he was a Senior. Zach helped me grow as a player and a person and he pushed me to be not only a great player, but a great student. I wanted to come to Saint A?s right out of high school, but I didn?t have the grades to get in. I did a year at Keene State College and my team won the Little East Conference, and I also got my grades up so I could come to Saint A?s. Zach helped me transfer and get in to this school and fit in on this team.

A post shared by Saint Anselm SAAC (@saintanselmsaac) on Oct 27, 2020 at 10:50am PDT

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Chris Paul from Men?s Basketball on Day 1 of Diversity and Inclusion Week sharing his story!

A post shared by Saint Anselm SAAC (@saintanselmsaac) on Oct 27, 2020 at 10:47am PDT

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Repost from @chargersalliance ? It?s NCAA Diversity and Inclusion week! Today, as a part of the social media campaign, the Chargers Alliance highlights one of our members, Danté Gonzalez. Listen to hear how Danté has expanded his experience on campus to more than just athletics and how he?s able to interact with a diverse group of people. And as always, Go Chargers!!?? #YOURSTORYMATTERS #NCAAInclusion

A post shared by NewHavenSAAC (@newhavensaac) on Oct 27, 2020 at 9:43am PDT

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Our Stories Matter ??#ncaadiversityandinclusionweek

A post shared by AICSAAC (@aicsaac) on Oct 27, 2020 at 1:51pm PDT

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It?s NCAA Diversity & Inclusion Week! Today we want you to tell us why YOUR story matters. How does your story matter when it comes to diversity and inclusion? Use #NCAAInclusion to share who you are, what your story is, and how you can use that story for diversity and inclusion! @fpuravens_jaaa #RavenNation #LetsFly

A post shared by FPU Athletics (@fpuathletics) on Oct 27, 2020 at 2:42pm PDT

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.