The California State University, Stanislaus Athletics Department has been recognized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association for overall excellence in diversity. The NCAA and Texas A&M's Laboratory for Diversity in Sport recently announced the list of recipients for the 2008 Diversity in Athletics Awards, and Cal State Stanislaus was one of two California State University programs honored.
Recipients of the 2008 Diversity in Athletics Awards will be publicly recognized by the NCAA Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport during the June 9-12 National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Convention in Dallas.
"Our Athletics Department is to be congratulated for achieving the rich diversity that reflects the population in our region while continuing to maintain competitive excellence both on the field and in the classroom," University President Hamid Shirvani said.
Cal State Stanislaus is among 14 Division II colleges and universities honored for overall excellence in diversity. The others are Cal Poly Pomona of the CSU system, Queens (New York), Goldey-Beacom (Delaware), Florida Tech, New Haven (Connecticut), Oakland City (Indiana), Slippery Rock (Pennsylvania), Palm Beach Atlantic (Florida), Lock Haven (Pennsylvania), Alaska Anchorage, New York Institute of Technology, Saint Leo (Florida), and Indiana (Pennsylvania).
Through independent research by the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport, winners of the award were chosen for having achieved the highest total scores in areas of diversity strategy, gender diversity of departmental employees, racial diversity of department employees, value and attitudinal diversity of department employees, graduation of African-American male student-athletes, graduation of African-American female student-athletes, and gender-equity compliance (substantial proportionality).
Researchers utilized questionnaires sent data from the U.S. Department of Education and Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act, and the NCAA on graduation rate data.
"This award recognizes the University's commitment to fairness, gender equity, and diversity in all aspects of our Intercollegiate Athletics program," said Dr. Milton E. Richards, Director of Athletics. "We are proud of what we have been able to accomplish in terms of meeting gender equity requirements and having a diverse environment in our department."
The Division I colleges and universities honored for overall excellence in diversity are Central Florida, Colorado, Drexel, East Tennessee State, Kansas State, Long Beach State, Miami (Florida), San Jose State, Stanford, Ohio State, UTEP, and Wright State.
The awards, which center on overall excellence in diversity, also honor NCAA institutions in seven specific categories that were established in 2005-06. This year, Divisions I and II institutions are being honored. Division III schools will be recognized in 2008-09.
This release and more information about Warrior Athletics are also available at www.warriorathletics.com.