UB Athletics Announces Formation of Stronger Together Task Force
9/11/2020 12:57:00 PM | General, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
BUFFALO, NY – In light of social justice issues across the nation, University at Buffalo Director of Athletics Mark Alnutt has announced the formation of the Stronger Together Task Force. The task force is devoted to creating synergies amongst the department in a collaborative effort with UB student-athletes and staff.
"I am honored to work with this group and want to thank them for their commitment to bettering our department, University and community," said Alnutt. "As one of our core values in our Athletic Department, we are committed to sustaining a culture of diversity and inclusion across all dimensions, and we proudly embrace and promote equality for all. Through sports, we have an amazing platform and will work together to discuss, educate, plan and implement action items while creating a more inclusive and tolerant community."
Every sport is represented on the task force and staff includes members from a wide variety of subsets that make up the department. The group is charged with identifying areas of priority and helping to perpetuate positive change for the UB athletics department, University campus and the Western New York community. The task force will aim to align its actions and programming with that of the department's existing mission statement to promote and embrace the diversity of student-athletes, coaches and administrators.
"I am grateful to be chosen to be a part of this special task force," said women's basketball redshirt-senior forward Summer Hemphill. "I look forward to learning from others in the group and hearing their stories and outlook on current events. I want to lay the foundation for the underclassmen and future Bulls to continue to take a stand for what is right and use their voice to affect change."
The group realizes the issues affecting communities nationwide are in a constant state of flux and while the vision of the task force is still evolving, several areas have been identified as starting points, including social injustice, systemic racism, racial inequality, voter education and community involvement.
Members of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force include:
Administration:
Mark Alnutt, Director of Athletics
Melanie Bliz, Director of Learning Services
Lauren Duft, Athletic Trainer
Blair Estarfaa, Women's Basketball Assistant Coach
Matt Gildersleeve, Head Football Strength and Conditioning Coach
D'Ann Keller, Senior Associate Athletic Director/SWA
Smaranda McNerney, Women's Tennis Assistant Coach
Kellie Peiper, Assistant Athletic Director for Student Athlete Wellness
Shilah Richardson, Athletic Academic Advisor
Sharon Sanford, Associate Athletic Director for Recreation and Sport Management
Erik Silis, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance
Chris Simpson, Linebackers Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator
Angres Thorpe, Men's Basketball Assistant Coach
Sarah Tranelli, Assistant Director Athletic Communications
Charone Williams, Track & Field Assistant Coach
Student-Athletes:
Molly McCreedy, Cross Country/T&F
Joe Williams, Cross Country/T&F
Jayvon Graves, Men's Basketball
Summer Hemphill, Women's Basketball
Dominic Johnson, Football
Kayode Awosika, Football
Jaret Patterson, Football
Antonio Nunn, Football
Jennifer Mandarano, Women's Soccer
Sara Holland, Softball
Brittney Beetcher, Swimming & Diving
Jonah Murphy, Men's Tennis
Nikoleta Antoniou-Karademitrou, Women's Tennis
Courtney Okwara, Volleyball
Michael Petite, Wrestling
"I am honored to work with this group and want to thank them for their commitment to bettering our department, University and community," said Alnutt. "As one of our core values in our Athletic Department, we are committed to sustaining a culture of diversity and inclusion across all dimensions, and we proudly embrace and promote equality for all. Through sports, we have an amazing platform and will work together to discuss, educate, plan and implement action items while creating a more inclusive and tolerant community."
Every sport is represented on the task force and staff includes members from a wide variety of subsets that make up the department. The group is charged with identifying areas of priority and helping to perpetuate positive change for the UB athletics department, University campus and the Western New York community. The task force will aim to align its actions and programming with that of the department's existing mission statement to promote and embrace the diversity of student-athletes, coaches and administrators.
"I am grateful to be chosen to be a part of this special task force," said women's basketball redshirt-senior forward Summer Hemphill. "I look forward to learning from others in the group and hearing their stories and outlook on current events. I want to lay the foundation for the underclassmen and future Bulls to continue to take a stand for what is right and use their voice to affect change."
The group realizes the issues affecting communities nationwide are in a constant state of flux and while the vision of the task force is still evolving, several areas have been identified as starting points, including social injustice, systemic racism, racial inequality, voter education and community involvement.
Members of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force include:
Administration:
Mark Alnutt, Director of Athletics
Melanie Bliz, Director of Learning Services
Lauren Duft, Athletic Trainer
Blair Estarfaa, Women's Basketball Assistant Coach
Matt Gildersleeve, Head Football Strength and Conditioning Coach
D'Ann Keller, Senior Associate Athletic Director/SWA
Smaranda McNerney, Women's Tennis Assistant Coach
Kellie Peiper, Assistant Athletic Director for Student Athlete Wellness
Shilah Richardson, Athletic Academic Advisor
Sharon Sanford, Associate Athletic Director for Recreation and Sport Management
Erik Silis, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance
Chris Simpson, Linebackers Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator
Angres Thorpe, Men's Basketball Assistant Coach
Sarah Tranelli, Assistant Director Athletic Communications
Charone Williams, Track & Field Assistant Coach
Student-Athletes:
Molly McCreedy, Cross Country/T&F
Joe Williams, Cross Country/T&F
Jayvon Graves, Men's Basketball
Summer Hemphill, Women's Basketball
Dominic Johnson, Football
Kayode Awosika, Football
Jaret Patterson, Football
Antonio Nunn, Football
Jennifer Mandarano, Women's Soccer
Sara Holland, Softball
Brittney Beetcher, Swimming & Diving
Jonah Murphy, Men's Tennis
Nikoleta Antoniou-Karademitrou, Women's Tennis
Courtney Okwara, Volleyball
Michael Petite, Wrestling
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