Common Ground
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.
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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.
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.
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.