The NCAA office of inclusion has released a new resource guide to celebrate the Hispanic/Latinx heritage of Association student-athletes, coaches and staff. The guide, Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, offers background on Hispanic Heritage Month and tips for member schools who want to commemorate the event.
"The office of inclusion is delighted to provide additional resources for the membership to educate and celebrate individuals of different cultures," said Niya Blair Hackworth, NCAA director of inclusion. "Though it was created for Hispanic Heritage Month, the guide can be used anytime to recognize and support Hispanic/Latinx student-athletes and staff on campuses across the country."
The four-page Hispanic Heritage Month resource guide is designed for those who want "to celebrate, center and champion" Hispanic/Latinx heritage but may not know where to begin. It outlines several ways to begin or bolster support for Hispanic/Latinx communities, such as exploring Hispanic/Latinx history and creating a platform for Hispanic/Latinx athletes and staff to be heard.
"It is amazing when the whole team is educated on the athlete's Hispanic culture and background, supporting national holidays, cultural foods and celebrations," said Ana Cristina Perez, a Dominican sophomore tennis player at Emory. "My team is incredibly supportive of my culture. They love to hear me talk about my country and our customs. They've even tried learning some (Dominican dances, such as) merengue and bachata."
Perez and other student-athletes are quoted in the guide about the impact of an inclusive community and what campus support looks like to them.
Francisco Javier Jimenez Garcia, a Mexican junior football player at Samford, recommends working with athletes to find ways to represent their cultures.
"Let your athletes represent their country on game day," Jimenez Garcia said. "I love having something I wear on the field to distinguish me and represent Mexico."
Ismael Contreras, a Mexican senior soccer player at Purdue Northwest, encourages fellow student-athletes to get involved on campus.
"Whether it be (the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee), student government or a different organization, take the leap and believe in yourself to succeed in these roles so that you have the very same opportunity as others. Take advantage of any opportunity you can to speak and be heard," Contreras said.
For more on NCAA diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, visit ncaa.org/inclusion.
