Quinnipiac Athletics Introduces New Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
10/26/2020 11:14:00 AM | General
HAMDEN, Conn. – Quinnipiac Athletic Director Greg Amodio is pleased to announce the creation of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. This committee will work together in conjunction with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) to engage the athletic department staff and student-athletes in social justice initiatives.
Senior Assistant Athletic Director of Academic Support Kristen Casamento will be leading the committee as the chair. The following staff members will also be part of the committee:
Kyle Robinson – Volleyball Head Coach
Eric Da Costa – Men's Soccer Head Coach
Becca Main – Field Hockey Head Coach
Alyssa Hyatt – Associate Athletic Director of Business & Administration
Brian Wilson – Women's Basketball Assistant Coach
Jen Fay – Women's Basketball Assistant Coach
Erin Trotman – Acrobatics & Tumbling Assistant Coach
"In a time where diversity, inclusion, and equality of human rights is more important than ever, I'm extremely honored to have been included in the committee that has been charged with bringing a greater awareness to our Bobcat community on these issues," head volleyball coach Kyle Robinson said. "It is my hope that we can create a cultural shift at Quinnipiac that brings a heightened sense of empathy and understanding of others as well as a yearning to learn and grow from each other's differences."
Senior Vanessa Udoji (women's basketball) will represent Quinnipiac student-athletes as a co-leader of the committee.
"I am very excited to be a co-leader of this committee," Udoji said. "As a black student-athlete it allows me to be able to use my voice both on and off the court. I believe that in this role it is my responsibility to be a voice for student-athletes of color so that they know they are being heard and supported on campus."
Casamento will lead the committee staff members and student-athletes and will work with SAAC to promote a more inclusive environment for the entire Bobcat athletic community.
"I hope that the dedication and commitment of the new committee will foster change in departmental goals, initiatives, and policy," Casamento said. "Developing a more inclusive environment for student-athletes, coaches and staff will empower activism, learning and the creation of brave spaces for individuals to be authentically who they are."
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee will look to positively impact all students, staff and coaches in the athletic department. The committee with be partnering will all of the athletic teams' conferences and Quinnipiac University to educate, engage and create uncomfortable conversations about social injustice with the hopes of having a long-lasting impact on the community and beyond.
"As a student-athlete there are times we may be afraid to use our voices when it comes to uncomfortable conversations regarding topics like racism, oppression, educational inequality," Udoji said. "I think that it is important that we've created this committee to normalize having these types of conversations on campus."
Senior Assistant Athletic Director of Academic Support Kristen Casamento will be leading the committee as the chair. The following staff members will also be part of the committee:
Kyle Robinson – Volleyball Head Coach
Eric Da Costa – Men's Soccer Head Coach
Becca Main – Field Hockey Head Coach
Alyssa Hyatt – Associate Athletic Director of Business & Administration
Brian Wilson – Women's Basketball Assistant Coach
Jen Fay – Women's Basketball Assistant Coach
Erin Trotman – Acrobatics & Tumbling Assistant Coach
"In a time where diversity, inclusion, and equality of human rights is more important than ever, I'm extremely honored to have been included in the committee that has been charged with bringing a greater awareness to our Bobcat community on these issues," head volleyball coach Kyle Robinson said. "It is my hope that we can create a cultural shift at Quinnipiac that brings a heightened sense of empathy and understanding of others as well as a yearning to learn and grow from each other's differences."
Senior Vanessa Udoji (women's basketball) will represent Quinnipiac student-athletes as a co-leader of the committee.
"I am very excited to be a co-leader of this committee," Udoji said. "As a black student-athlete it allows me to be able to use my voice both on and off the court. I believe that in this role it is my responsibility to be a voice for student-athletes of color so that they know they are being heard and supported on campus."
Casamento will lead the committee staff members and student-athletes and will work with SAAC to promote a more inclusive environment for the entire Bobcat athletic community.
"I hope that the dedication and commitment of the new committee will foster change in departmental goals, initiatives, and policy," Casamento said. "Developing a more inclusive environment for student-athletes, coaches and staff will empower activism, learning and the creation of brave spaces for individuals to be authentically who they are."
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee will look to positively impact all students, staff and coaches in the athletic department. The committee with be partnering will all of the athletic teams' conferences and Quinnipiac University to educate, engage and create uncomfortable conversations about social injustice with the hopes of having a long-lasting impact on the community and beyond.
"As a student-athlete there are times we may be afraid to use our voices when it comes to uncomfortable conversations regarding topics like racism, oppression, educational inequality," Udoji said. "I think that it is important that we've created this committee to normalize having these types of conversations on campus."
In addition to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, this fall the University announced the creation of the Quinnipiac University Inclusion Leadership Training or QUILT which is a campus initiative with numerous students involved including many student-athletes. QUILT is a training program which empowers students to become active stewards of inclusive excellence. Participants work collaboratively with other student leaders to learn about themselves, their communities, and the role they have in fostering social change throughout this experience. The training invites participants to develop a framework that will help them navigate the challenges and opportunities of 21st-century careers in a way that is conducive to equity, inclusion, and justice.
The Quinnipiac Athletic Department is looking forward to building relationships and having important conversations in order to help all student-athletes feel seen and heard.
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