MINOT, N.D. – Minot State Athletics begins the Diversity and Inclusion Council to showcase the athletics department's dedication to diversity, inclusion, and gender equity. The Council met for the first time virtually on Wednesday evening.
The MSU Athletics department values the uniqueness represented by the student-athlete and campus community. The Council views differences as opportunities for growth. To cultivate an environment of diversity, inclusion, awareness, integrity, and accountability. The Council encourages respectful dialogue and fosters a culture that embraces individual dignity.
Mark Del Monaco (Head Coach - Cross Country and Track & Field) will serve as the Athletics Diversity & Inclusion Designee and will be the Chair of this Council.
Coach Del Monaco's thoughts on the Council. "I was honored when Andy Carter asked me to become chair of the council. We are living in a very strange time with many socio-economic issues around our country and I am excited to be able to serve our student-athletes to give them a platform to discuss these tough issues."
Del Monaco continued. "The beauty of college athletics is that it brings together people from all different backgrounds and races for the common good on each of our respective teams. We (as coaches) are teachers just in a different forum outside of academics, and I hope that I can be just that for these student-athletes on the Council."
Senior Woman Administrator, co-chair Allison Kelly spoke about the first meeting of the Council. "The meeting went very well, and the Council will continue to foster an inclusive experience with a group of dedicated student-athletes leading the way. Moving forward, I know working together as a Council will allow these students to find their voices and help us make Beaver Athletics stronger."
Diversity & Inclusion Council Goals
- Foster an inclusive culture for all individuals across dimensions of diversity, including but not limited to age, race, gender, national origin, religion, and sexual orientation.
- Educate and train Minot State University student-athletes and athletics department staff on the topics of diversity, inclusion, and cultural intelligence.
- Increase the recruitment and retention of minority and underrepresented student-athletes and athletics department staff at MSU.
- Serve as a liaison to campus diversity and inclusion offices, organizations, and professionals.
- Promote the institution's commitment to the NCAA Presidential Pledge to Promote Diversity & Gender Equity in Intercollegiate Athletics.
Structure
The Council will be comprised of members of the athletics staff and a student-athlete representative from each sport program. The Council will reflect the MSU student-athlete and athletics staff population to include individuals with unique differences in race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and background.
Up to two representatives of each program and up to two additional at-large representatives from student-athletes or athletic administration.
- Men's Cross Country
- Women's Cross Country
- Volleyball
- Women's Soccer
- Football
- Women's Ice Hockey
- Men's Track & Field
- Women's Track & Field
- Women's Basketball
- Wrestling
- Baseball
- Softball
- Men's Golf
- Women's Golf
The Council will meet at least on an annual basis with the University's Diversity Council. A current student-athlete from the Athletic Diversity and Inclusion Council will help in the search; the student-athlete will not be a member of the team with the vacancy.
About Minot State
Minot State University is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and NCAA Division II offering 14 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletics programs. The NSIC is a premier NCAA DII, 16-member conference featuring teams in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. The Beavers are the only public NCAA Division II institution in the state of North Dakota.
