Social diversity
Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders looks on during an NCAA college football game against Mississippi Valley State in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (Hannah Mattix/The Clarion-Ledger via AP)
Deion Sanders says HBCUs can be path to NFL for top players

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 19, 2022 09:30 AM EDT

FILE - Maryland head coach Mike Locksley looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in College Park, Md. Nepotism is cited among the most significant factors that has led to Black coaches being under-represented in major college football, according to an organization working to address the problem. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Family matters: Nepotism a hurdle to diversity in coaching

By Ralph D. Russo And Eric Olson Aug. 23, 2022 03:17 PM EDT

FILE - Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, front right, stands for the national anthem before the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. Iowa hired Lorenda Holston as assistant athletic director for diversity, equity and inclusion and Anthony Embry for the newly created position of athletics academic and diversity coordinator, the university announced Friday, July 22, 2022. The announcement comes as the university and head football coach Kirk Ferentz and others face a lawsuit by former football players who allege they faced discrimination and harassment from coaches and staff because they are Black.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Iowa, facing race litigation, hires 2 new diversity staffers

Jul. 22, 2022 01:31 PM EDT

Iowa athletics appoints interim diversity, inclusion leader

Feb. 08, 2022 05:00 PM EST
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa athletic department announced Tuesday that Lew Montgomery will serve in an interim role in support of the department's diversity,...

FILE - Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz watches from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022 he wants to restructure an advisory committee of former players formed after a 2020 investigation found evidence of racial bias against Black players in his program. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Ferentz wants Iowa alumni advisory committee to continue

By John Bohnenkamp Feb. 02, 2022 04:50 PM EST

FILE - An athlete stands near the NCAA logo during a softball game in Beaumont, Texas, April 19, 2019. The latest diversity study on FBS hiring finds women and people of color are underrepresented in athletic departments. The report card was issued Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport.(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher, File)
Study: Diversity hires underrepresented in college athletics

By Pete Iacobelli Jan. 27, 2022 03:03 PM EST

FILE - Ernie Davis, halfback for Syracuse, holds the Heisman Trophy prior to official presentation to him in New York City, in this Dec. 6, 1961, file photo. Syracuse was one of the standard-bearers in terms of accepting athletes based on performance and ability. Its history includes: Wilmeth Sidat-Singh, a quarterback and the first star Black athlete at the school in the 1930s; Bernie Custis, who quarterbacked the Orange from 1948-50 and became the first Black professional quarterback in the modern era with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League; Jim Brown, regarded by many as the greatest running back of all time, starred at Syracuse in the mid-1950s and has dedicated much of his life to issues of social justice; and former Orange tailback Ernie Davis, the first Black to win the Heisman Trophy (1961). (AP Photo/File)
Syracuse, MEAC agree to 10-year partnership on and off field

By John Kekis Sep. 23, 2021 02:48 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 25, 1971, file photo, Nebraska's Rich Glover (79) brings down Oklahoma quarterback Jack Mildren (11) as Nebraska defenders Bob Terrio (45) and Dave Mason (25) close in during a college football game in Norman, Okla., on Thanksgiving Day. The game on Thanksgiving 50 years ago is back in the spotlight as Nebraska and Oklahoma renew their rivalry on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (Lincoln Journal Star via AP, File)
Nebraska-Oklahoma provided stage for Black stars in '70s

By Cliff Brunt Sep. 15, 2021 11:43 AM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 1, 1973, file photo, Southern California fullback Sam Cunningham, left, and running back Anthony Davis embraces in locker room after USC.s 42-17 triumph in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Ohio State in Pasadena, Calif. Cunningham, an All-American fullback at Southern California whose performance against Alabama was credited for helping integrate football in the Deep South before he went on to a record-setting career with the New England Patriots, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, at his home in Inglewood, Calif., according to USC. He was 71. (AP Photo/File)
Sam Cunningham, who starred at USC and in NFL, dies at 71

By Beth Harris Sep. 07, 2021 05:48 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 12, 2020, file photo, Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim (24) carries the ball away from Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb. As college athletes like Ibrahim begin making money from the use of their names, images and likenesses, concerns are being raised over how the new rules will affect team chemistry. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
Will athletes' new college cash flow impact team chemistry?

By Pat Eaton-Robb Aug. 24, 2021 02:05 PM EDT

Study: Women, minorities make small gains in FBS leadership

By Aaron Beard Jan. 06, 2021 03:57 PM EST
A diversity study finds increasing numbers of women and people of color in leadership positions at the Football Bowl Subdivision level of college athletics for...

Study: Graduation gap widens between white, Black athletes

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 22, 2020 02:07 PM EST
The graduation gap between white and Black and football players on bowl-bound teams is increasing. The Institute for Diversity and Ethics...

FILE - In this Dec. 27, 2019, file photo, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz reacts during the second half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Southern California. The University of Iowa said it would not pay a demand from eight Black former football players for $20 million in compensation for alleged racial discrimination they faced while they played for the Hawkeyes. The players also called for the firings of Kirk Ferentz, offensive line coach Brian Ferentz and athletic director Gary Barta. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez, File)
Attny: Iowa saying no to demands only emboldens ex-players

By Eric Olson Oct. 19, 2020 09:37 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2019, file photo, Iowa athletic director Gary Barta walks on the field before an NCAA college football game against Iowa State in Ames, Iowa. The University of Iowa said it would not pay a demand from eight Black former football players for $20 million in compensation for alleged racial discrimination they faced while they played for the Hawkeyes. The players also called for the firings of head football coach Kirk Ferentz, offensive line coach Brian Ferentz and Barta. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Iowa says it won't pay ex-players' demand for $20 million

By Eric Olson Oct. 18, 2020 07:27 PM EDT

South Carolina football taking Monday off for demonstration

Aug. 29, 2020 03:02 PM EDT
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina coach Will Muschamp said his team will forgo football activities on Monday and participate in a campus demonstration...

Syracuse University appoints diversity director for sports

By John Kekis Jul. 10, 2020 02:01 AM EDT
Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack has added a position to his department, bucking a trend toward athletic cuts during the coronavirus pandemic. ...

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman warms up his team before an NCAA college football game against West Virginia in Manhattan, Kan. Kansas State football players say they will boycott all team activities until administrators create a policy that would allow a student to be expelled for “openly racist, threatening or disrespectful actions.” The move that most players announced Saturday on social media follows a tweet by a student about the death of George Floyd that prompted outrage on campus. Late Sunday, June 28, 2020, coach Chris Klieman tweeted his support: “Racism is NOT welcome at KSTATE now or in the future. ... I am excited to help every player unite for the solution NOW, so that that we can come together stronger than ever. Black Lives Matter.” (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
K-State players end threat of boycott over Floyd tweet

Jul. 03, 2020 10:26 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 file photo, Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley looks on in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Idaho State in Salt Lake City. Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley will remain on staff but will take a pay cut and must undergo diversity training after being suspended for using a racial slur in a 2013 text message. Utah announced Wednesday, July 1, 2020 that Scalley will participate in diversity and inclusion education and have his salary cut from $1.1 million to $525,000.(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
Utah defensive coordinator Scalley to keep job after review

Jul. 01, 2020 04:12 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman warms up his team before an NCAA college football game against West Virginia in Manhattan, Kan. Kansas State football players say they will boycott all team activities until administrators create a policy that would allow a student to be expelled for “openly racist, threatening or disrespectful actions.” The move that most players announced Saturday on social media follows a tweet by a student about the death of George Floyd that prompted outrage on campus. Late Sunday, June 28, 2020, coach Chris Klieman tweeted his support: “Racism is NOT welcome at KSTATE now or in the future. ... I am excited to help every player unite for the solution NOW, so that that we can come together stronger than ever. Black Lives Matter.” (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
K-State launches diversity programs after football boycott

By Dave Skretta Jul. 01, 2020 11:44 AM EDT

In this April 25, 2020 photograph, a small Mississippi state flag is held by a participant during a drive-by "re-open Mississippi" protest past the Governor's Mansion, in the background, in Jackson, Miss. This current flag has in the canton portion of the banner the design of the Civil War-era Confederate battle flag, that has been the center of a long-simmering debate about its removal or replacement. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Following athletes, NCAA takes aim at Confederate flag

By Ralph D. Russo Jun. 19, 2020 04:32 PM EDT