UW's Blanford, BSAA Earn Awards at 2023 Black Student-Athlete Summit
May 26, 2023 | General, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
LOS ANGELES – Washington's Black Student-Athlete Alliance (BSAA) won the 2023 Student-Athlete Group of the Year Award and Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Sheridan Blanford was named 2023 Woman of the Year at the Black Student-Athlete Summit.
"These honors represent the great work that our BSAA and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team, led by Sheridan Blanford, are doing," said Jennifer Cohen, Director of Athletics. "Our goal is to set the example for equitable and inclusive excellence in sport. While there is always room to improve, we are committed to building and sustaining a culture where our student-athletes feel valued, heard, and respected. I couldn't be prouder of our incredible students and staff for their commitment to this work and these important initiatives."
The Student-Athlete Group of the Year Award honors the top Black Student-Athlete organization for their work to build community within the athletic department, bridge the gap between athletics and campus, and engage with the larger community. The Woman of the Year award honors the top woman administrator, faculty, or coach for their contributions to furthering equity, inclusion, belonging and social justice across college athletics.
"It is an honor and blessing to be recognized for the hard work and dedication that has taken place at Washington," said Blanford. "The student-athletes have not only cast a vision to create a more connected and empowered experience for Black student-athletes across UW, but have put in the necessary work to exceed their goals. I am incredibly proud to work alongside them and for their work to be recognized on a national level."
29 Husky student-athletes and staff members attended the summit including 19 student-athletes representing nine sports (football, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, women's tennis and men's track and field).
"My experience at the BSA Summit was one that I'll never forget," women's basketball sophomore Dalayah Daniels said. "Having the opportunity to hear about the stories from those that look like me was life-changing."
The four-day event centered around empowering Black student-athletes, staff and coaches by focusing on community empowerment, mental health, identity development, social impact, career preparation, and more. 1,400 people representing over 165 universities attended the summit.
"My experience at the BSA Summit was amazing," men's basketball senior Keion Brooks Jr. said. "Being around over one thousand people that look like me was empowering and transformative."
For more about DEI initiatives within the Washington Department of Intercollegiate Athletics visit the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion web page. Learn more about BSAA and other affinity groups.
"These honors represent the great work that our BSAA and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team, led by Sheridan Blanford, are doing," said Jennifer Cohen, Director of Athletics. "Our goal is to set the example for equitable and inclusive excellence in sport. While there is always room to improve, we are committed to building and sustaining a culture where our student-athletes feel valued, heard, and respected. I couldn't be prouder of our incredible students and staff for their commitment to this work and these important initiatives."
The Student-Athlete Group of the Year Award honors the top Black Student-Athlete organization for their work to build community within the athletic department, bridge the gap between athletics and campus, and engage with the larger community. The Woman of the Year award honors the top woman administrator, faculty, or coach for their contributions to furthering equity, inclusion, belonging and social justice across college athletics.
"It is an honor and blessing to be recognized for the hard work and dedication that has taken place at Washington," said Blanford. "The student-athletes have not only cast a vision to create a more connected and empowered experience for Black student-athletes across UW, but have put in the necessary work to exceed their goals. I am incredibly proud to work alongside them and for their work to be recognized on a national level."
29 Husky student-athletes and staff members attended the summit including 19 student-athletes representing nine sports (football, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, women's tennis and men's track and field).
"My experience at the BSA Summit was one that I'll never forget," women's basketball sophomore Dalayah Daniels said. "Having the opportunity to hear about the stories from those that look like me was life-changing."
The four-day event centered around empowering Black student-athletes, staff and coaches by focusing on community empowerment, mental health, identity development, social impact, career preparation, and more. 1,400 people representing over 165 universities attended the summit.
"My experience at the BSA Summit was amazing," men's basketball senior Keion Brooks Jr. said. "Being around over one thousand people that look like me was empowering and transformative."
For more about DEI initiatives within the Washington Department of Intercollegiate Athletics visit the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion web page. Learn more about BSAA and other affinity groups.
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