SE: Diversity and Inclusion Game vs. No. 4 OU Reinforces Mission of D&I Plan
Jan 16, 2018 | Men's Basketball, Sports Extra
By Corbin McGuire
Before each home K-State basketball game, a short video that includes coaches and student-athletes across all sports plays on the videoboard.
Unlike most other gameday videos played in Bramlage Coliseum, this one does not promote any single event, student-athlete or team. Instead it reinforces a message that, at K-State Athletics, diversity and inclusion are essential in continuing to develop its family atmosphere, that it's part of "Who We Are."
That message will be front and center on Tuesday, when K-State's men host No. 4 Oklahoma for the Wildcats' first ever Diversity and Inclusion game.
"K-State Athletics is welcoming of everyone, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, all those things are said in this particular video that plays before the basketball game, so I think this is furthering that message of, 'This is Who We Are,'" said Brandon Clark, who works for the Office of Diversity at K-State and serves as an advisor to the Black Student Union on campus. "K-State Athletics gets and understands the importance of diversity and inclusion."
Part of the department's five-year, comprehensive Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Plan that launched last fall, Tuesday's game takes it another step forward. It follows its mission to create and encourage an environment that embraces diversity while actively promoting the inclusion of all groups throughout the university and Manhattan communities.
"To be able to have a game specifically for diversity, it just continues to reinforce the importance of it for our athletics program, but more importantly for the community and even beyond that, really," K-State Director of Athletics Gene Taylor said.
"I think it's really important that all of our units across campus, like athletics, like the foundation, like the alumni center, take steps like this," K-State Student Governing Association President Jack Ayres added. "Because, like we outlined in our KSUnite event in November, when we look at diversity and inclusion, it's not just about the actions of one individual. We all have to come together to work on that. I think it's important that we have a variety of different events and that each department and each unit is able to do something that's unique to them. I think for athletics to do this really shows their commitment."
On top of the opportunity to watch K-State face a top-10 team in Oklahoma and a national player of the year candidate in Trae Young, Tuesday's game serves as a way to promote awareness of various diversity and inclusion issues, while celebrating the eclectic populations that make the K-State Family unique and special.
K-State's 45 international student-athletes from more than 20 different countries will be recognized at halftime. Fans can also learn more about how K-State is supporting diversity and inclusion efforts by visiting with representatives at information tables on the concourse highlighting various multicultural and diversity groups on campus. Additionally, fans will also receive information cards with more information about the Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Plan and its core goals and values.
"They can do pretty much any promotion, whether it's giving away free food, free K-State gear, but to see them step up and really take this head on and make it a campus-wise and community-wide event really kind of speaks to the people and leadership that we have in the athletic department," said Nick Edwards, SGA's liaison to K-State Athletics. "I think it's an exciting way to promote not only the game but also efforts on campus."
To help spread and reinforce these efforts, the first 1,000 fans will receive a purple wristband that has "Family: Diverse and Together" printed on it, while diversity and inclusion T-shirts will be available on the concourse for purchase as well.
"The day after (Martin Luther King Jr.'s) birthday, to have a diversity and inclusion game speaks to our commitment as part of the K-State family that we are family, that we stand united, that we want everyone who's part of this K-State family to know that they have a place here," Clark said. "It's certainly something that (K-State Athletics) doesn't have to do, but the fact that they chose and volunteered to do that speaks volumes for our university and athletics.
"It's something that K-State Athletics should definitely take pride in doing. We want to help spread that message because it makes me proud to be a K-Stater to say my athletic department understands and thinks enough about diversity and inclusion that they want to do a diversity and inclusion basketball game."
Before each home K-State basketball game, a short video that includes coaches and student-athletes across all sports plays on the videoboard.
Unlike most other gameday videos played in Bramlage Coliseum, this one does not promote any single event, student-athlete or team. Instead it reinforces a message that, at K-State Athletics, diversity and inclusion are essential in continuing to develop its family atmosphere, that it's part of "Who We Are."
That message will be front and center on Tuesday, when K-State's men host No. 4 Oklahoma for the Wildcats' first ever Diversity and Inclusion game.
"K-State Athletics is welcoming of everyone, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, all those things are said in this particular video that plays before the basketball game, so I think this is furthering that message of, 'This is Who We Are,'" said Brandon Clark, who works for the Office of Diversity at K-State and serves as an advisor to the Black Student Union on campus. "K-State Athletics gets and understands the importance of diversity and inclusion."
Part of the department's five-year, comprehensive Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Plan that launched last fall, Tuesday's game takes it another step forward. It follows its mission to create and encourage an environment that embraces diversity while actively promoting the inclusion of all groups throughout the university and Manhattan communities.
"To be able to have a game specifically for diversity, it just continues to reinforce the importance of it for our athletics program, but more importantly for the community and even beyond that, really," K-State Director of Athletics Gene Taylor said.
"I think it's really important that all of our units across campus, like athletics, like the foundation, like the alumni center, take steps like this," K-State Student Governing Association President Jack Ayres added. "Because, like we outlined in our KSUnite event in November, when we look at diversity and inclusion, it's not just about the actions of one individual. We all have to come together to work on that. I think it's important that we have a variety of different events and that each department and each unit is able to do something that's unique to them. I think for athletics to do this really shows their commitment."
On top of the opportunity to watch K-State face a top-10 team in Oklahoma and a national player of the year candidate in Trae Young, Tuesday's game serves as a way to promote awareness of various diversity and inclusion issues, while celebrating the eclectic populations that make the K-State Family unique and special.
K-State's 45 international student-athletes from more than 20 different countries will be recognized at halftime. Fans can also learn more about how K-State is supporting diversity and inclusion efforts by visiting with representatives at information tables on the concourse highlighting various multicultural and diversity groups on campus. Additionally, fans will also receive information cards with more information about the Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Plan and its core goals and values.
"They can do pretty much any promotion, whether it's giving away free food, free K-State gear, but to see them step up and really take this head on and make it a campus-wise and community-wide event really kind of speaks to the people and leadership that we have in the athletic department," said Nick Edwards, SGA's liaison to K-State Athletics. "I think it's an exciting way to promote not only the game but also efforts on campus."
To help spread and reinforce these efforts, the first 1,000 fans will receive a purple wristband that has "Family: Diverse and Together" printed on it, while diversity and inclusion T-shirts will be available on the concourse for purchase as well.
Tomorrow: #KStateMBB hosts the inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Game: https://t.co/7txaSHRPxV
— K-State Athletics (@kstatesports) January 16, 2018
First 1,000 fans to receive special wristband, t-shirts also available for purchase pic.twitter.com/p0UaKctOCx
"The day after (Martin Luther King Jr.'s) birthday, to have a diversity and inclusion game speaks to our commitment as part of the K-State family that we are family, that we stand united, that we want everyone who's part of this K-State family to know that they have a place here," Clark said. "It's certainly something that (K-State Athletics) doesn't have to do, but the fact that they chose and volunteered to do that speaks volumes for our university and athletics.
"It's something that K-State Athletics should definitely take pride in doing. We want to help spread that message because it makes me proud to be a K-Stater to say my athletic department understands and thinks enough about diversity and inclusion that they want to do a diversity and inclusion basketball game."
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