Dec. 8, 2015

Read NIU Athletics Release on the Diversity and Inclusion Award
Read the NCAA Release on the Diversity and Inclusion Award

NIU President Doug Baker
"Congratulations to Sean and his team in intercollegiate athletics on this outstanding honor. Diversity and inclusion are core values of NIU. They are among the university's greatest strengths, and Sean and NIU Athletics are leaders on our campus and in our community in the area of diversity and inclusion. I am happy to say that they are now recognized as national leaders in this important effort as well."

NIU Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier
"We are absolutely humbled by this NCAA/MOAA recognition and firmly believe that diversity and inclusion is not a 'sometime thing,' but rather an 'all-the-time thing.' Diversity requires a top-down leadership approach rooted in bringing campus and community constituents together to promote civility, accountability and the creation of a shared agenda."

Mario Moccia, MOAA President and New Mexico State University Director of Athletics
"MOAA is honored to recognize the efforts of Northern Illinois University as this year's recipient. In its fourth year, this award encompasses what each of our departments strives to emulate, a culture of diversity and inclusion, both internally and externally."

Bernard Franklin, NCAA Executive Vice-President of Education and Community Engagement; Chief Inclusion Officer
"I congratulate Sean Frazier and Northern Illinois University's athletics department on being selected to receive the NCAA and MOAA diversity and inclusion award. NIU is a role model for other institutions as it has created programs and initiatives that have helped bridge gaps at the university and in the community. NIU Athletics has placed more awareness on the importance of inclusion within its own department too, and those efforts will enable their student-athletes and administrators to maneuver more effectively and strategically on campus and in our diverse society."

Katrina Caldwell, Ph.D., NIU Assistant Vice-President for Diversity and Equity
"I believe that the work that the [NIU] Athletics Department continues to do to support our institution's commitment to successfully supporting and educating a diverse student body should be recognized and honored. Awards like this will give the staff the opportunity to continue to make strides in their efforts."

Molly B. Holmes, Director, NIU Gender & Sexuality Resource Center
"My specific experience in working with [NIU] Athletics has been broad, and the relationship built between my department and NIU Huskie Athletics has been both collaborative and impactful. I feel confident that our work will continue to grow and most importantly build on the inclusive environment for Huskie athletes, staff, fans and the broader campus community. It is evident that NIU Athletics is committed to diversity and inclusion."

Ray Gooden, Head Coach, NIU Volleyball and member of Diversity and Integration Group (DIG)
"I think it's wonderful to work at a place where you feel everyone has a voice and value. The DIG group is a prime example of that here at NIU."

Jerome Rodgers, NIU Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance and Administration, Chair of the Diversity and Integration Group (DIG)
"It's gratifying when you are able to use the platform that we have as an athletics department to promote and support change. At NIU, athletics is a vehicle for recruitment and retention, for national exposure, for promoting the brand of NIU and in this instance, for pushing forward an agenda of diversity and inclusion. Diversity and inclusion is the right thing to do. We are all about doing things the right way and affecting change it's not easy, it's hard. I'm proud of our staff and especially our Diversity and Integration Group for taking this leadership role, and grateful to the NCAA and MOAA for this award."

Monique Bernoudy, NIU Associate Athletics Director, member of the Diversity and Integration Group (DIG)
"What makes NIU so unique and so awesome is people are willing to collaborate. We have a history of good partnerships throughout campus, but in the last few years, we have developed great partnerships. That's been the key to our success in terms of diversity and inclusion, and will continue to be."

--NIU--