Bowling Green State University Athletics
WA1T Continues Success with Diversity and Inclusion Programming
May 13, 2019 | General, Student-Athlete Services
The We Are One Team (WA1T) Team Player Program for Diversity and Inclusion Leadership continues its success after finishing its second year. Since the Fall of 2017, over 40 student-athletes have completed the one of a kind leadership program.
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The certificate program was created from a collaboration with We Are One Team (WA1T), the Marvin Center for Student Leadership, and the Office of Multicultural Affairs to address the need for student-athletes to have leadership training, particularly concerning diversity and inclusion. The program addresses topics such as identities, social norms, power and privilege, intercultural communication, microaggressions, stereotypes, and media literacy in nine total sessions which can be seen below:
Sarah Fergus, a junior on Women's Swim and Dive team, said "Becoming more aware of diversity and inclusion in sports has helped me become a better person, student, athlete, and leader in my life."
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"I found the Program to be a unique experience that elevated my perspectives on contemporary social justice issues and helped me fully realize my own privileges so I can use them to help others," said Paul Garbarino, senior on Men's Cross Country, when asked how the program benefitted him. Sarah and Paul were both members of this year's cohort that completed their certificate in April.
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Elena Lawson, sophomore on Women's Gymnastics team, who will be in the program next year, said "I find it very important that we all come together as one to change the perspective of stereotypes and make a positive change on not just athletes, but students as well." with Elena, the program will welcome 13 new members during the 2019-2020 school year.
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We Are One Team is looking forward to continuing the success of the program in coming years!
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Follow @WeAreOneTeamBG on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!
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2019-2020 Cohort
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About We Are One Team (WA1T)
We Are One Team (WA1T) is an initiative to promote diversity, inclusion, and social justice at BGSU and in the surrounding community. The group is guided by four core goals centered around using sport as an avenue for social change. Â The first goal is to use sport to create a dialogue about social justice issues. The second goal is to use sport to promote friendship between stereotyped groups on campus. We Are One Team (WA1T)'s third goal is to use sport to facilitate an environment that values inclusion, diversity, and acceptance. Finally, the initiative aims to use sport to create a strong network of partners, collaborators, and supporters who work together to create positive social change at BGSU and beyond. In 2017, We Are One Team (WA1T) was honored with the prestigious NCAA Award for Diversity and Inclusion. For more information on We Are One Team (WA1T) visit:Â https://www.bgsu.edu/WeAreOneTeam-BG.html
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The certificate program was created from a collaboration with We Are One Team (WA1T), the Marvin Center for Student Leadership, and the Office of Multicultural Affairs to address the need for student-athletes to have leadership training, particularly concerning diversity and inclusion. The program addresses topics such as identities, social norms, power and privilege, intercultural communication, microaggressions, stereotypes, and media literacy in nine total sessions which can be seen below:
- My Game Plan: Who am I … and who do I want to be?
- Player to Player: Different Perspectives
- Get the Ball Rolling: Intercultural Communication & Awareness
- First Half: Block Microaggressions and Tackle Social Norms
- Second Half: Block Microaggressions and Tackle Social Norms
- Know the Hurdles: Media Literacy
- Level the Playing Field: Power and Privilege
- Cover all the Bases: Inclusive Team Environments
- Go the Distance: Social Justice and You
Sarah Fergus, a junior on Women's Swim and Dive team, said "Becoming more aware of diversity and inclusion in sports has helped me become a better person, student, athlete, and leader in my life."
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"I found the Program to be a unique experience that elevated my perspectives on contemporary social justice issues and helped me fully realize my own privileges so I can use them to help others," said Paul Garbarino, senior on Men's Cross Country, when asked how the program benefitted him. Sarah and Paul were both members of this year's cohort that completed their certificate in April.
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Elena Lawson, sophomore on Women's Gymnastics team, who will be in the program next year, said "I find it very important that we all come together as one to change the perspective of stereotypes and make a positive change on not just athletes, but students as well." with Elena, the program will welcome 13 new members during the 2019-2020 school year.
Â
We Are One Team is looking forward to continuing the success of the program in coming years!
Â
Follow @WeAreOneTeamBG on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!
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2019-2020 Cohort
| First Name | Last Name | Team Affiliation |
| Kasie | Perretta | Swim and Dive |
| Cesar | Arellano | Men's Cross Country |
| Nikki | Sorgi | Women's Softball |
| Chelsee | Washington | Women's Soccer |
| Tess | Muir | Gymnastics |
| Andrew | Hibinger | Men's Cross Country |
| Elena | Lawson | Gymnastics |
| Nikhita | Jacob | Women's Soccer |
| Katerina | Shuble | Women's Cross Country |
| Chris | Sullivan | Men's Soccer |
| Gabriella | Magallanes | Women's Soccer |
| Nathan | Bostelman | Men's Cross Country |
| Samuel | Pugliese | Men's Soccer |
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About We Are One Team (WA1T)
We Are One Team (WA1T) is an initiative to promote diversity, inclusion, and social justice at BGSU and in the surrounding community. The group is guided by four core goals centered around using sport as an avenue for social change. Â The first goal is to use sport to create a dialogue about social justice issues. The second goal is to use sport to promote friendship between stereotyped groups on campus. We Are One Team (WA1T)'s third goal is to use sport to facilitate an environment that values inclusion, diversity, and acceptance. Finally, the initiative aims to use sport to create a strong network of partners, collaborators, and supporters who work together to create positive social change at BGSU and beyond. In 2017, We Are One Team (WA1T) was honored with the prestigious NCAA Award for Diversity and Inclusion. For more information on We Are One Team (WA1T) visit:Â https://www.bgsu.edu/WeAreOneTeam-BG.html
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