College athletics brings together individuals with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Creating environments where all student-athletes and staff feel respected, supported and valued requires intention, skill and shared accountability.
The NCAA Common Ground initiative supports inclusive team and campus environments by strengthening communication, building understanding and equipping participants with practical strategies that can be applied within athletics programs.
Why Common Ground?
- Build skills for respectful dialogue and communication across differences
- Strengthen team culture grounded in dignity, belonging and student-athlete well-being
- Learn actionable strategies you can apply within your athletics department
- Develop a campus-informed action plan to support inclusive environments
Who should participate?
Common Ground gatherings are designed for campus teams and colleagues who support and shape the student-athlete experience — including athletics administrators, coaches, student-athlete support staff and campus partners — who want to strengthen inclusive, respectful environments.
How the initiative works
Common Ground gatherings bring together campus teams for facilitated learning and dialogue that supports campus-ready action. Gatherings typically include structured conversation, shared language, communication guidelines and team planning time to align on next steps.
Action strategies for campuses
The Common Ground Leadership Team developed action strategies to help athletics departments create climates of respect, dignity and belonging for students and staff of varied backgrounds and identities.
Culture and expectations
- Set clear team expectations for respect, dignity and inclusion
- Establish shared communication norms for tough conversations
- Reinforce expectations consistently across staff and student-athletes
Responding to harm
- Speak up to stop bullying, slurs, jokes and stereotypes
- Use incident-response practices that prioritize safety and accountability
- Equip staff and student-athletes with “what to do in the moment” tools
Support and resources
- Ensure students and staff know where to go for support
- Partner with campus offices and community resources when appropriate
- Evaluate climate and adjust strategies over time
For additional examples and full detail, view the “Common Ground Action Strategies” resource in the Resources card.
Leadership team
Common Ground is supported by a national leadership team and NCAA liaisons who help inform resources, facilitation and program direction.
Prefer a printable version? Download the PDF.
- Helen Carroll (she/her), Sports Project Consultant, National Center for Lesbian Rights
- La Shonda Coleman (she/her), Assistant Vice President for the Office of Equity and Compliance, Title IX Coordinator & DHR Administrator, California State University Northridge
- Liz Darger (she/her), Senior Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Brigham Young University
- Clyde Doughty, Jr. (he/him), Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation, Bowie State University
- Pat Griffin (she/her), Professor Emerita, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
- AJ Kurtz (they/them), Consultant
- Drew Martin (he/him), Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs, University of Texas at Austin
- Emet Marwell (he/him), Master of Science - Exercise and Sport Studies, Smith College
- Keadrick Peters (he/him), LGBTQIA Resource Center Director/Office of Multicultural Programs and Civic Engagement University Coordinator, Bowie State University
- Tim Selgo (he/him), Assistant Vice President, Mammoth Sports Consulting
- Tanya Williams (they/she), Social Justice Educator and Consultant, Authentic Coaching and Consulting
NCAA liaisons
- Jean Merrill (she/her), Director of Inclusion, NCAA
- Amy Wilson (she/her), Managing Director of Inclusion, NCAA
- Kat Lin (she/her), Post Graduate Intern, Office of Inclusion, NCAA
In the News
5 UConn representatives find Common Ground at national office
At 3-day event, participants work to create a collegiate athletics model that is safe and inclusive for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities
Read More
Ashland fosters community of belonging on campus
5 staff members begin to implement action plan after returning from Common Ground VI
Read More
NCAA hosts Common Ground VI
15 school teams attend program to build inclusive campus and team environments
Read More
NCAA inclusion hosts Common Ground retreat for leadership team
Group helps develop programming aimed at building inclusive athletics environments
Read More
