Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
The Fordham University Athletics Department is committed to celebrating diversity and affirming our solidarity with those individuals and groups most at risk in our environment. In solidarity with Fordham University’s Jesuit mission, we disavow all racism, xenophobia, homophobia, sexism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, classism, ableism, and hate speech or actions that attempt to silence, threaten, degrade, or subordinate others. Our constant endeavor to succeed within and beyond the competitive arena is dependent on each student-athlete, coach, and staff member being and feeling welcomed, respected, and valued. Through our continued efforts in education, reflection, humility, and accountability, we are developing leaders who will carry our mission beyond the court and field into the world.
Fordham Athletics works with Clarence E. Ball III, Former Director of DEI for the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University, and the owner of Kemet Consulting LLC on all of our DEI+ initiatives.
Purpose and Commitments
Our Purpose
Fordham Athletics strives to develop each of our student-athletes into people with a deep sense of purpose who have the character, capabilities, and connections to transform the world through athletics and beyond. As we compete, practice, and give back to our community, we know that real change is only possible when we bring people with unique and different perspectives together to ensure members of our athletics community have a sense of agency and belonging. Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is fundamental to both our collective and individual success.
Our Commitments
- We develop student-athletes as leaders who create a better world through sports.
- We provide a competitive and nurturing athletic and cultural environment where different identities and cultures develop innovative approaches to sports that move college athletics forward.
- We value any and all perspectives in our community by fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
- We believe that developing global perspectives and intercultural skills within our community is essential in preparing our student-athletes to compete on all levels, even beyond sports.
- Fordham Athletics is committed to developing diverse perspectives by providing meaningful DEIB+ touchpoints for all stakeholders.
Fordham Athletics Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Awareness Committee (IDEA)
The mission of IDEA is to create and sustain an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environment for the entire Fordham Athletics community. We are dedicated to being a department where all members feel valued, respected, and included.
IDEA Committee Members:
Sarah Bickford, Administrator of Fitness & Recreation
Ian Choi, Head Coach, Volleyball
Joe DiBari, Director of Sports Media Relations
Austyn Finnk, Development Associate
Allie Griffin, Assistant Athletic Trainer
Brian Horowitz, Head Coach, Track and Field
Melissa Inouye, Head Coach, Softball
Alyssa Plantz, Associate Athletic Trainer
The IDEA Committee helps organize and coordinate numerous initiatives each year:
- Department staff trainings
- Student-athlete trainings
- Updating our athletics policies to be more inclusive
- Month-long honoring and celebrations
- Bronx community engagement opportunities
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Facilitators
DEIB facilitators work closely with all Fordham teams and administrators to serve as change agents in the department, while also serving as accountability partners in the continued equity work at Fordham University.
The group is comprised of the following coaches and administrators:
Ian Choi, Head Volleyball Coach
Brian Horowitz, Head Track & Field/Cross Country Coach
Melissa Inouye, Head Softball Coach
Joe DiBari, Sports Information Director
The group received training from Dr. Victoria Farris, an inclusive leader and truth-teller with over a decade of experience working in higher education, student affairs, and arts education. Her program is structured around the DISRUPT Model for effective allyship and includes education, resources, self-learning, and facilitated dialogues to support the group in working through scenarios and practicing these skills.
What the DEI Facilitator Group is saying:
Ian Choi, Head Volleyball Coach
"Our job as coaches is to educate and empower our athletes in a similar direction that our societal framework progresses since we perpetually work with each new generation of young adults, which isn't to say that we should constantly change our values, rather skillfully apply, deconstruct and highlight our carefully reflected values to a different set of human experiences every year. It was extremely enriching to hear and discuss different experiences during our weekly DEI meetings. And I'm happy to see that as a department we're actively taking steps to grow with the world around us."
Joe DiBari, Sports Information Director
"I've been at Fordham for more than 25 years and this is the most worthwhile group I have worked with. I looked forward to the weekly meetings with Dr. Farris and learned so much about myself through the meetings. As I said when I joined the group, I feel you can either be part of the problem or part of the solution and it was time for me to become part of the solution."
