UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI ATHLETICS RECOGNIZED FOR DIVERSITY

May 16, 2008

Coral Gables, Fla.–The University of Miami Athletic Department has been selected as one of just 12 Division 1 schools to receive the 2008 “Overall Excellence in Diversity” Award from the NCAA and Texas A&M’s Laboratory for Diversity in Sport.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

In addition to the Overall Award, schools are recognized in seven categories–Diversity Strategy, Gender Equity Compliance, African American Graduation: Female Student Athletes, African American Graduation: Male Student Athletes, Gender Diversity, Racial Diversity and Value and Attitudinal Diversity.  The Overall Award is based on scores in the seven individual categories.  Miami was also one of 11 schools earning recognition in the Racial Diversity category.

In addition to Miami, other schools winning the Overall Award are Central Florida, Colorado, Drexel, East Tennessee State, Kansas State, Long Beach State, San Jose State, Stanford, Ohio State, UTEP and Wright State.

Paul Dee, University of Miami Director of Athletics said of the award, “I am very proud that our efforts to promote diversity have been recognized by the NCAA and the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport.”

Recipients of the 2008 Diversity in Athletics Awards will be publicly recognized at the NCAA Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport during the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Convention June 9-12 in Dallas.