CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Radford Athletics department has been named a winner of the Big South Conference's inaugural Champions of Unity award. The Highlanders were recognized for their outstanding contributions to enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, belonging and justice within the athletics department, campus and surrounding community during the 2023-24 academic year.
The Radford Athletics DEI Committee drives its initiatives to promote diversity, equity and inclusion through both the RU campus and surrounding area. Established four years ago, the committee focuses on educating, empowering and engaging student-athlete, coaches and staff.
Comprising of individuals from diverse backgrounds, the committee meets monthly to coordinate department-wide DEI efforts. Their work includes selecting social justice curriculum modules and finding creative ways to celebrate inclusion both during athletics events and on social media.
"We are very appreciative of receiving the Unity Award from the Big South Conference," Radford associate athletics director for compliance and senior woman administrator Malinda Tasler said. "I am very proud of this department's accomplishments, especially the members of our Athletics DEI Committee. This would not have been possible without those members and the support and participation from our student-athletes and staff. I look forward to all the great things we can accomplish in the years to come."
Notable initiatives by the Radford Athletics DEI Committee included hosting a Pride Game during a men's soccer match, producing a video titled "What Does Inclusion Mean to You", which featured a student-athlete and staff member, and honoring international student-athletes in men's and women's tennis by showcasing their countries' flags during all home matches.
Additionally, the DEI committee provides educational materials on various topics each month and collaborates with the Center for Diversity and Inclusion on campus to enhance departmental resources and perspectives.
Established in 2023, the Big South Conference Champion of Unity award was created to recognize member institutions' athletics departments for outstanding contributions to enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, belonging and justice within their athletics department, campus and surrounding community.
UNC Asheville joined Radford as the first schools to win the Champion of Unity award in Big South history.
A committee of Big South administrators used the selection criteria of how nominees demonstrated leadership in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, mentorship, ally-ship and leadership by values. The candidates are champions of embracing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices and have actively contributed to their department's respective growth in this area. Institutions self-nominated by submitting a letter outlying how their efforts align with the award criteria, two letters of support and any supporting materials including, but not limited to, testimonials or media coverage about their efforts.
