The NCAA office of inclusion and the Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee are recognizing two individuals as Champions of Diversity and Inclusion for their work in supporting ethnic minorities and other underrepresented groups and individuals.
Created in 2015, the honor recognizes those with a commitment to advocating for and advancing others in inclusive efforts around athletics. The office of inclusion and MOIC previously recognized the spring 2022 honorees during June's Inclusion Forum.
The summer honorees are:
· Stephon Fuqua, associate director of athletics and academic services, Illinois.
· Rob Knox, senior director of strategic communications, Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
"With dedication and intentionality, our honorees have initiated innovative approaches to creating diversity, ensuring equity, and fostering inclusion through education, mentoring and advocacy in their respective industries," said Felicia Martin, NCAA senior vice president of inclusion, education and community engagement. "Their applications highlighted examples of their individual contributions toward inclusive excellence by means of service, leadership and education."
"As our country continues to define itself, so does our Association and membership," said Marquetta Dickens, chair of MOIC and women's basketball coach at William Peace. The NCAA has made clear that DEI is an important area of focus, and we are extremely happy to highlight some of those doing the work in their individual roles. We hope that their honor encourages them and others to keep the fight for equity and inclusion on their respective campuses and beyond."
Individuals were nominated based on their roles as influencers in promoting diversity and inclusion; how they assist in diversifying pipeline opportunities in their senior or influential position; how they provide support to underrepresented populations; and for their consistency in supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Stephon Fuqua
Fuqua serves as a diversity and inclusion leader on Illinois' campus and nationally. He was awarded the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals' 2021 N4A Professional Excellence Award. Fuqua led the N4A ECC's Institutional Partnership Program, which provided educational forums to professionals across the country.
Since Fuqua started in 2019 at Illinois, he revamped the drug testing policy to be more equitable and led a campus diversity and inclusion committee to influence conversations through initiatives and campuswide panels. He also oversaw the creation of EMPOWER, a student-led affinity group that provides a safe space for athletes of color.
Additionally, Fuqua serves on the Big Ten's Advisory Commission and its Equality Coalition.
Rob Knox
Knox previously was the associate athletic director for strategic communications at UNC Greensboro before joining the Thurgood Marshall College Fund in May. A graduate of the NCAA Leadership Institute, he previously served as the College Sports Information Directors of America president during 2018-19 and worked to pass a resolution that guaranteed two members of the organization attend the NCAA Inclusion Forum.
After his time as CoSIDA president, Knox joined the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association board of directors to advocate for minorities and women of color in the industry. Additionally, Knox actively mentors and advocates for national and local recognition for women of color. He has also written for digital outlets, where he supported the WNBA and student-athletes at historically Black colleges and universities.
