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DAVIS, Calif. – UC Davis is one of the first athletic departments in the nation to support AthleticDirectorU's new Collegiate Coaching Diversity Pledge. By opting-in and committing to this new initiative, Intercollegiate Athletics will include a diverse group of candidates in the finalist pool for football, men's and women's basketball head coach vacancies.

"UC Davis is glad to be part of this nationwide effort to support diversity in college coaching," said Director of Athletics Kevin Blue. "There remains work to be done in this area, but the Collegiate Coaching Diversity Pledge is a concrete step forward. The values of this pledge are aligned with the values of UC Davis Athletics."

The CCDP reflects a commitment to ensure equal opportunity in the hiring of head coaches, and addresses the barriers that prevent full participation by underrepresented minority groups.  

Dr. Blue is one of the first 30 athletic directors to sign AthleticDirectorU's pledge — the byproduct of the organization's tireless work and efforts throughout the last few months. 

The Collegiate Coaching Diversity Pledge will be overseen by an esteemed group of independent higher education and sports leaders who comprise the Board of Advocates and the Board of Coaches. The Board of Advocates will work directly with third-party clearinghouse designee James Moore & Co. and review of a representative sample of coaching searches to ensure CCDP compliance on an annual basis.

"The College Coaching Diversity Pledge is a significant step towards addressing the disparities and lack of representation that currently exist in collegiate coaching. Recruiting diverse and representative coaching talent is an important aspect of UC Davis Athletics' diversity, equity and inclusion strategy. I am optimistic that the accountability provided by the CCDP will enable long-term and meaningful change for the collegiate coaching landscape," said Dwight Smith, executive director for athletics diversity, equity and inclusion.

To maintain compliance, athletic directors must include at least one candidate from a traditionally underrepresented background and one non-diverse candidate in their finalist pool.

The clearinghouse will contact each AD (or the search firm) to obtain all names and contact information for each finalist. Since information is submitted confidentially, the list of candidates will not be publicized. Each of the finalists will receive additional correspondence to verify participation.

The public can view a list of participating athletic departments, and their respective compliance status by visiting www.CollegiateDiversityPledge.com.  


 
ABOUT UC DAVIS
With the addition of equestrian and women's beach volleyball in 2018, more than 700 student-athletes represent the fifth-ranked public school in the nation on one of 25 intercollegiate athletics teams.
 
UC Davis, a national leader in Title IX gender equity and leadership, is centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley; and offers an unrivaled student-athlete experience that features the ideal combination of elite academics, Division I athletics and personal growth.
 
Ranked annually in the top 10 in diversity and students' social mobility, UC Davis is uncommonly committed to preparing student-athletes for life after graduation with Aggie EVO — an innovative student-athlete outcomes program that helps young women and men develop passions, gain real-world experience, and enjoy a successful launch to full-time employment or graduate school. Through Aggie EVO, Intercollegiate Athletics provides unmatched resources and a vast network of working professionals to ensure post-graduation success for its student-athletes.