CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics was one of only eight schools to be awarded a perfect 100 Athletics Equality Index (AEI) score by Athlete Ally for its inclusive LGBTQ policies and initiatives as part of their evaluation of all NCAA Power Five universities. As a conference, the Big Ten had the second highest score with an 83.3 mark.
"We are pleased to be one of only eight institutions in the country to receive a perfect score on the recently released Athletic Equality Index," Director of Athletics Josh Whitman said. "Much more important, however, is what the score reflects, which is our athletic program's commitment to diversity and inclusivity. We take great pride in creating an environment within Illinois Athletics that is welcoming to all. Our inclusive culture is a critical component of our unifying mission, and our resulting diversity must remain a strength. Because of these values, our people are happier and more fulfilled, our ideas more creative and insightful, and our organization more successful."
During the 2016-17 academic year, the DIA established a Diversity and Inclusion Committee with representation from the faculty, DIA administration and staff, student-athletes, and non-athlete students. Senior Associate Directors of Athletics Keiko Price and Maria Ochoa Woods serve as co-chairs of the committee.
"Two years ago, our preliminary score was second to last in the Big Ten," said Price. "The progress we have made would not have been possible without the support from our administration and the hard work of our DIA Diversity and Inclusion Committee. I am proud to say that the DIA is committed to making LGBTQ inclusion a priority."
Since the inception of the committee, the department has implemented "Real Talk" sessions for student-athletes, the Illini Allies program and has created a "You Can Play" video to publicize the commitment to diversity. Along with these programs, Illinois has hosted Pride Nights at women's soccer, volleyball and men's and women's basketball contests, has had committee members, staff and student-athletes participate in the Champaign Pride Parade the last two years and hosted a Diversity of Inclusion Summit for all DIA staff and student-athletes in the spring of 2018. A fan code of conduct and transgender inclusion policies have also been created and Illinois has partnered with other campus units to increase minority and international student spectatorship at athletic events.
The Athletic Equality Index was developed as a way to measure LGBTQ inclusion policies and practices in collegiate athletics. Launched in 2017 and updated in 2019, this first-of-its-kind report provides a comprehensive look at how member programs of the NCAA Power Five conferences are supporting their LGBTQ student-athletes, coaches, administrators, staff, and fans.
The second iteration of the Athletic Equality Index was conducted in 2019 and includes a scale that scores the accessibility of an NCAA Division-I school athletic department's commitment to providing and publicizing:
- Comprehensive Nondiscrimination Policies
- LGBTQ+ Resources and Educational Materials
- An Inclusive Fan Code of Conduct
- Policies for Transgender Student-Athlete Inclusion
- Student-Athlete Initiatives Relative to LGBTQ+ Inclusion
- Out or Ally-Trained Athletics Staff Members
- A Co-Hosted Event supporting LGBTQ+ Inclusion
- A Recurring LGBTQ+ Inclusive Initiative or Campaign
Researchers performed a comprehensive audit of handbooks, policy manuals, and campus materials to identify the outlined policies and practices. Scores were sent to individual school leadership prior to the public launch of the AEI, allowing schools the opportunity to review their assigned score and implement or make accessible any policies or efforts to maximize their scores. Scores will be periodically updated as schools make changes to their policies and practices, and/or continue to increase their inclusion efforts.
For more information on the diversity and inclusion initiatives within Illinois athletics, click HERE.
For more information about Athlete Ally and to learn more about the Athletic Equality Index, click HERE.
