INDIANAPOLIS – The UIndy athletics department, in conjunction with the University inclusion and equity office, is proud to announce the creation of the Athletics Diversity and Inclusion committee, primarily driven by student-athletes.
 
"I am extremely proud of the mission and leadership of this group of student-athletes and staff," said Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Young. "We always talk about being leaders on campus and this is a tremendous opportunity to not only lead but make a real difference in the lives of our students, faculty, and staff at UIndy."
 
With the assistance from Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator Jackie Paquette, Sports Information Director Cody Wainscott, Assistant Athletics Director Andrea Walker and UIndy wrestling graduate assistant Nick Foster, the student-athletes dedicated to working with their fellow classmates and athletics department members to help lead the conversation start first with a simple mission: acceptance.
 
The initial group will focus on increasing acceptance on topics, such as: racial injustice, LGTBQ+ rights, religious beliefs, mental health awareness, cultural issues and many more. With constant communication and events designed to bring people together to learn and understand about other people's experiences, this group aims to help grow the diversity at the University and in the city.
 
"We are so lucky to have so many great student-athletes that have a strong desire to use their voices and to make our community better for everyone that is a part of it," said Paquette.
 
"I am excited to work with these student-athletes and to help turn their ideas into a reality in making the University of Indianapolis an even greater place than it already is."
 
Freshman Landon Driggers was undeterred by joining such a committee despite being a newcomer to the swimming and diving program. "I want to be a voice for those who don't have a voice," said Driggers. "I want to be a safe person for others to talk to; to be someone I wish I had when I was younger.
 
"People never talk about my side of the story," continued Driggers. "Nobody ever asks because it's an uncomfortable conversation and that is not okay."
 
"We're all dealing with something in our personal lives and I think that helps us come together to fight the social unrest in our country," said Wainscott. "The student-athletes at UIndy are some of the strongest, smartest and genuinely best people I know and I couldn't think of a better team than us Greyhounds to help enact positive change."
 
"We must all work together to create an environment of equality and inclusivity for everyone in our campus community," Young concluded.