San Jose State University is one of 12 Division I universities cited for Overall Excellence in Diversity in a 2007-08 study conducted for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) by Texas A&M University’s Laboratory for Diversity in Sport.
Data was gathered from all 330 Division I athletics departments and categorized based on diversity strategy, gender equity compliance, graduation rates for African American male and female student-athletes, gender diversity, racial diversity and value and attitudinal diversity.
“San Jose State University is one of America’s most diverse university campuses. Diversity is embraced and promoted here and our athletics program reflects this cornerstone university value,” says Tom Bowen, the university’s director of athletics.
“In the 1930’s, Spartan Athletics was among the first major college and university athletics programs to recognize diversity values. Today, we’re proud to be recognized as one of the top 12 Division I programs in this NCAA study.”
For the second year in a row, San Jose State earned specific recognition (top 3 percent) in the sub-categories of racial diversity and value and attitudinal diversity.
“You can look at the number of schools being recognized this year and see that many NCAA colleges and universities openly embrace the benefits of having a diverse workforce and a diverse student-athlete body that achieves high standards in academics,” says Charlotte Westerhaus, NCAA vice president for diversity and inclusion. “The Diversity in Athletics Awards not only provide visibility for member schools with good practices, but also create dialogue that focuses on the essential need for diversity and inclusion in athletics and higher education.”
“This (study) suggests that it is possible to excel in diversity no matter where you are,” says Professor George Cunningham, director of the laboratory and chair of the division of sport management at Texas A&M University that has compiled data annually for the study since 2006.
San Jose State is the only Western Athletic Conference member named for overall excellence in diversity this year. Other Division I universities joining San Jose State in this recognition are Central Florida, Colorado, Drexel, East Tennessee State, Kansas State, Long Beach State, Miami (Fla.), Stanford, Ohio State, Texas El Paso and Wright State.
Specific details and methodology for the study are available at
http://lds.tamu.edu.