This week the NCAA Office of Inclusion has built a diversity and inclusion social media campaign around #NCAAInclusion. On Monday athletes, coaches and athletics departments were encouraged to share on social media what makes them “More Than An Athlete,” celebrating their diversity beyond being part of the sports world. Each day this week there will be another theme for the campaign.
At least eight college athletes used the opportunity to share being gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans or queer in celebration of their true selves.
Payton Tomasko, Edinboro Univ. tennis
I am Payton Tomasko. I am studying Nuclear Medicine Technology. I am apart of the LGBTQ+ community. I am a daughter, a sister, and a friend. I am more than a student-athlete. ⚫️🔴⚪️ #NCAAInclusion #GoBoro @PSACsports
— Payt☺️ (@paytontomasko) October 2, 2018
Nathaniel Hernandez, Duke Univ. swimming and diving
I am … a diver. I am a son. I am a brother. I am gay. I am Hispanic. I am a Biology major. I am from Texas. I am proud of my various identites, and I am more than just a student-athlete! #NCAAInclusion #TeamingUp @DukeATHLETICS @theACC
— Nathaniel Hernandez (@Nathaniel__H) October 1, 2018
Lisa Coe, Univ. of Pittsburgh swimming and diving
"I am a diver. But I am also a scientist. I am a photographer. I am an acroyogi. I am Queer. I am a teacher. I am a concert-goer. I am a poet. I am more than a student-athlete."
— Pitt Life Skills (@Pitt_LIFESKILLS) October 1, 2018
– Lisa Coe of @Pitt_SWIM_DIVE #NCAAInclusion pic.twitter.com/HHPpU7Hmwe
Will Lynch of the Univ. of Vermont track and field
“I am an LGBTQ+ athlete ” – @UVMTrack's Will Lynch. #NCAAInclusion pic.twitter.com/CyE7O1sHin
— UVM Athletics (@UVMathletics) October 1, 2018
JoAnnah Lim of Alverania University softball
I am a daughter, a sister, and a friend. I am an aspiring PA, a leader, and a volunteer. I am a tree hugger, a member of the LGBTQ community, and a member of @VernSoftball @VernAthletics, but I am much more than just an athlete. #NCAAInclusion #MoreThanAnAthlete pic.twitter.com/JKFoZ3xxAi
— JoAnnah (@JoAnnahLim) October 1, 2018
Michaela, Gonzaga Univ. track and field
I am Queer 🏳️🌈 I am a sister and a daughter. I am studying math and German. I love to read and cook. I love animals and talking with friends for hours upon hours. And I am a D1 athlete for @GonzagaTFXC @GonzagaBulldogs But I am so much more. #NCAAInclusion #MoreThanAnAthlete pic.twitter.com/8G71t6s7nk
— 🎃 michaela 🎃 (@micmarieee) October 2, 2018
Cheradyn Pettit, Mercy College field hockey
"I am bisexual."
— East Coast Conference (@ECCSports) October 1, 2018
Cheradyn Pettit, @MercyMavericks Field Hockey #NCAAInclusion #NCAADiversity pic.twitter.com/a0Kn4z4MjK
Kaitlyn Poe, Illinois College softball
“I’m a softball player. I’m a daughter. I’m an RA. I’m a double major. I’m a friend. I’m an aunt. I’m a sister. I am gay. I am more than a student athlete. #NCAAInclusion
— KT🔵⚪️ (@ktpoe_31) October 1, 2018
If you have shared being a member of the LGBTQ community as part of the NCAA’s inclusion campaign this week, please let us know so we can include you.
