Casey And Sirdah Attend 2024 NCAA Inclusion Forum and Athlete Symposium
6/14/2024 11:52:00 AM | Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming and Diving, Academic Services, Student-Athlete Services
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - This year, Indiana University sent Sarah Sirdah of Women's Soccer and Morgan Casey of Women's Diving the 2024 NCAA Inclusion Forum and Athlete Symposium at the organization's headquarters in Indianapolis. These two young ladies were chosen to represent IU because of their active participation in various athletic department programming and groups.
As we work with students and get to know them, we have built relationships with them to understand the opportunities and experiences that best benefit them and align with their interests and needs.
Casey and Sirdah reflected on their experience at the 2024 NCAA Inclusion Forum and Athlete Symposium below.
Morgan Casey, Women's Diving
"The NCAA Inclusion Forum and Athlete Symposium was an amazing experience and I'm very thankful I got to be a part of it. The forum and symposium had many great speakers, like South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley, who talked about how we must fight the fight to build a positive culture among our athletic community and teams so that we are successful in and outside of athletics. The talks provided insight on some ideas and programs that other schools are doing that we can implement here at IU. The athlete symposium was a great opportunity to connect with other athletes from other schools. We were able to collaborate and share ideas of our own, so we can build an inclusive environment at our schools. The symposium also had a networking event, which had many people who have careers with the NCAA, Indiana Pacers, Indiana Colts and more. Overall, the NCAA Forum and Athlete Symposium gave me many insights and ideas that I can't wait to share with my team and IU Athletics."
Sarah Sirdah, Women's Soccer
"The Diversity and Inclusion Forum was an incredible experience. It brought together a diverse group of people from across the country and around the world. Leaders and student athletes gathered to discuss the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equity. Hearing different perspectives from various backgrounds broadened my understanding of how people's circumstances can affect their overall experiences. The forum taught me that as student athletes we have a powerful voice to advocate for the underrepresented. Our voice can significantly promote diversity, inclusion and equity in sports and beyond."
About the NCAA Inclusion Forum
The NCAA Inclusion Forum brought together leaders within higher education and intercollegiate athletics, including student-athletes, to engage in powerful programming and enhance efforts on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives. Educational programming focused on each of the office of inclusion's five core areas of disability, international, LGBTQ, race/ethnicity, and women.
This year the community service project was through a partnership with Scholastic Books, the NCAA donated DEIB-related books to a local elementary school in Indianapolis. Inclusion Forum attendees had the opportunity to select a book and write a note of encouragement inside. Student-athletes were encouraged to select a book that resonated with them. The books were provided to local elementary school students to foster education about DEIB in the classroom.
About the Student Athlete Symposium
The office of inclusion introduced a new initiative, the inaugural Student-Athlete Symposium, in conjunction with the 2024 Inclusion Forum. Over 120 student-athletes participated in programming to engage, equip, and empower them to actively participate and contribute to the DEIB initiatives within their teams, in their athletic departments, on their campuses and in their communities.
As we work with students and get to know them, we have built relationships with them to understand the opportunities and experiences that best benefit them and align with their interests and needs.
Casey and Sirdah reflected on their experience at the 2024 NCAA Inclusion Forum and Athlete Symposium below.
Morgan Casey, Women's Diving
"The NCAA Inclusion Forum and Athlete Symposium was an amazing experience and I'm very thankful I got to be a part of it. The forum and symposium had many great speakers, like South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley, who talked about how we must fight the fight to build a positive culture among our athletic community and teams so that we are successful in and outside of athletics. The talks provided insight on some ideas and programs that other schools are doing that we can implement here at IU. The athlete symposium was a great opportunity to connect with other athletes from other schools. We were able to collaborate and share ideas of our own, so we can build an inclusive environment at our schools. The symposium also had a networking event, which had many people who have careers with the NCAA, Indiana Pacers, Indiana Colts and more. Overall, the NCAA Forum and Athlete Symposium gave me many insights and ideas that I can't wait to share with my team and IU Athletics."
Sarah Sirdah, Women's Soccer
"The Diversity and Inclusion Forum was an incredible experience. It brought together a diverse group of people from across the country and around the world. Leaders and student athletes gathered to discuss the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equity. Hearing different perspectives from various backgrounds broadened my understanding of how people's circumstances can affect their overall experiences. The forum taught me that as student athletes we have a powerful voice to advocate for the underrepresented. Our voice can significantly promote diversity, inclusion and equity in sports and beyond."
About the NCAA Inclusion Forum
The NCAA Inclusion Forum brought together leaders within higher education and intercollegiate athletics, including student-athletes, to engage in powerful programming and enhance efforts on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives. Educational programming focused on each of the office of inclusion's five core areas of disability, international, LGBTQ, race/ethnicity, and women.
This year the community service project was through a partnership with Scholastic Books, the NCAA donated DEIB-related books to a local elementary school in Indianapolis. Inclusion Forum attendees had the opportunity to select a book and write a note of encouragement inside. Student-athletes were encouraged to select a book that resonated with them. The books were provided to local elementary school students to foster education about DEIB in the classroom.
About the Student Athlete Symposium
The office of inclusion introduced a new initiative, the inaugural Student-Athlete Symposium, in conjunction with the 2024 Inclusion Forum. Over 120 student-athletes participated in programming to engage, equip, and empower them to actively participate and contribute to the DEIB initiatives within their teams, in their athletic departments, on their campuses and in their communities.
Players Mentioned
Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
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