Brown Girls Do Gymnastics is the leading organization in creating inclusive and equitable spaces for all gymnasts. As such, we have observed the need for stricter NCAA Anti Racism policies to protect the safety and dignity of all athletes. Racism consists of principles and practices that cause and/or justify the inequitable treatment or maltreatment of people groups. Therefore, the eradication of racism in college sports requires systemic action. We admonish the NCAA to add punitive action to its guidelines for participating institutions and hold NCAA member institutions accountable for the actions of their athletes, coaches, and staff. By taking these bold actions, the NCAA will raise standards for inclusive cultures and keep more athletes safe. 

We request your signature on the NCAA Punitive Anti Racism Policy Recommendations Petition as present these suggested policies and protocols:

1. The use of written or verbal racial slurs will not be tolerated from athletes, athletics staff, or coaches in relation to any NCAA sports functions. If racial slurs are used, the aggressor must face punitive action from their NCAA member institution. The offense and resulting punitive actions must be reported to the NCAA within 3 weeks of the institution’s awareness of the incident. Second offenses will result in the aggressor’s disqualification from participation in NCAA sports. In the case of the institution’s non-action or non-compliance, the aggressor will face punitive action from the NCAA and the non-compliant institution will be fined. If the aggressor is an athlete whose offense has escalated to the NCAA, they will no longer be allowed to compete in NCAA sports. If the aggressor is a staff member, coach, or administrator, they will lose their right to participate in all NCAA-related capacities.
 

2. No racial discrimination or racial microaggressions will be tolerated in NCAA sports. Athletes, athletics staff, and coaches are expected to conduct and uphold the fair and equitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Athletes of different races must be allowed the same access to facilities, meets, and advancement opportunities. Any coach, staff member, or administrator found guilty of racial discrimination or microaggressions will face an NCAA fine of $10,000 upon the first reported offense. The same will lose their right to participate in any NCAA-related capacities upon the second reported offense. NCAA member institutions are responsible to report racially-motivated misconduct to the NCAA. In the case of an institution’s non-action or non-compliance, the aggressor will face punitive action from the NCAA and the non-compliant institution will be fined. 
 

3. NCAA member institutions must mandate annual diversity, inclusion and bias training each year for all athletes, coaches, and athletics staff. This training must clearly define and outline punishable offenses for athletes, coaches, and athletics staff at member institutions. This training must be part of onboarding for all coaches, athletes, and staff before they are allowed to participate in NCAA functions. Any NCAA participants who do not complete training within a 12-month period will be disqualified or disallowed from participation in NCAA capacities until the training is complete.
 

4. NCAA member institutions must mandate disqualification to any student-athlete found guilty of racially-motivated violence, hate speech, or the adornment of racist symbolism on the first offense. Institutional non-compliance will result in a fine and the disqualification of the student-athlete in question.
 

5. NCAA member institutions must mandate an investigation before adding transfer-students to participating sports teams to ensure no history of racially-motivated violence, hate speech, or the adornment of racist symbolism. Institutional non-compliance will result in a fine and the disqualification of the student-athlete in question.
 

6. NCAA member institutions must mandate an investigation before hiring coaches, athletic staff, and athletic administrators to ensure no history of racially motivated violence, hate speech, compliance with or unresponsiveness to racism while serving at previous institutions. If an applicant is found guilty of racially-motivated violations, they must not be hired to serve in any capacity within NCAA sports for a minimum of 7 years after the offense.  Institutional non-compliance will result in a fine and continued non-compliance could result in the disqualification of teams associated with the person in question.

According to the NCAA Best Practices for Promoting Diversity and Inclusion, the organization is committed to upholding internal standards for inclusion across all member institutions. This list of recommendations does not include punitive guidelines for failure to comply. Note Section 3 of the NCAA Best Practices for Promoting Diversity and Inclusion:

• Encourage departments to create a diversity plan and evaluate it regularly.

• Develop and implement a multi-year educational plan to address diversity and review any budget implications, if applicable, associated with the plan.

• Create a gender equity plan within the athletics department.

• Promote a conference strategic plan encouraging member institutions to use the NCAA best practices in their hiring of coaches and administrators.

• Provide a statement of diversity in the conference membership requirements. 

• Establish written diversity objectives.

In Section 5 of its Best Practices for Promoting Diversity and Inclusion, the NCAA recommends that institutions:

• Create a designated campus facility such as a diversity center to promote diversity issues and provide support for underrepresented students and student- athletes.

• Incorporate student-athletes and athletics staff into programming with regard to diversity.

• Work with the institution’s admissions office to promote recruitment strategies to encourage a diverse population to apply and attend the university or college.

• Utilize the institution’s designated diversity officer with in the department of athletics.

• Work directly with multicultural and diversity groups on campus.

• Conduct campus-wide faculty meetings informing faculty members of the importance of diversity.

• Foster collaboration between the department of athletics and the institution’s multicultural office on programming, education and events.

 

In 2020, the NCAA identified eight action items to address racial justice and equity at the national office and among the membership. This list does not include punitive action:

·    Conduct or host programming for national office staff and the membership.

·    Review policies and procedures (and other manuals) for inclusive language.

·    Implement unconscious bias training for all national office staff and add it as part of the onboarding process for new employees.

·    Engage and provide service to the local community.

·    Enact a consortium with external organizations, businesses and associations to develop solutions and actionable efforts to address the issues of racism in society.

·    Review initial-eligibility requirements, specifically the requirement for the SAT/ACT.

·    Review the NCAA Academic Progress Rate and its impact on historically Black colleges and universities and other limited-resource schools.

·    Work with coaches' associations to seek student-athlete input and participation in changes to conference-level and national-level rules and policies.

These vague recommendations leave room for interpretation and minimal effort among NCAA member institutions. The actions are not mandatory for NCAA sports participation and do not address the misconduct and maltreatment of athletes, coaches, or staff due to racial discrimination. Without punitive action mandates for participation, aggressors and offenders have the freedom to go unpunished for misconduct and continue participation in NCAA sports.

By adding our recommended punitive actions for racial discrimination and race-related offenses, the NCAA has the opportunity to effect real change that ripples through the landscape of sports culture, and thereby, American culture.

By overlooking the need for responsiveness to racism in sports, we fail to stand for the equal rights and fair treatment of all athletes. We request your support and signature on the NCAA Punitive Anti Racism Policy Petition. Together, we can create better outcomes for all athletes, administrators, and fans.