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Pac-12 Women's Volleyball coaches launch Diversity Mentorship Program

Nov 10, 2020

SAN FRANCISCO – Pac-12 Women's Volleyball coaching staffs are collectively launching the Diversity Mentorship Program which will aim to strengthen the pool of minority candidates for collegiate head and assistant coaching positions in NCAA Division I women's volleyball.

The purpose of the Diversity Mentorship Program is to educate and prepare the next generation of minority coaches through access and hands-on experience with Pac-12 coaches, who recognize that there is a need for a more diverse coaching pool in the sport within the Conference and across the country.

Starting in January 2021, six mentees will be selected for the program from an applicant pool to consist of minority graduating seniors or coaches who are early in their careers, passionate about coaching women's volleyball, and interested in getting experience at the highest collegiate level, with special consideration given to student-athletes from Pac-12 schools or HBCUs. Online applications are now available on the Pac-12's Teamwork Online site and will be accepted through Dec. 1.

Elements of the Diversity Mentorship Program will include seasonal trips to Pac-12 campuses for in-person training as well as regular meetings with assigned coaching staffs and program administrators, six live-lesson and discussion sessions with True North Sports' leadership development, and AVCA membership and educational and diversity programming at the organization's annual convention. The mentees will serve in non-coaching capacities, and all elements will be funded through Pac-12 coaching staffs as well as donations from friends of Pac-12 women's volleyball programs.

The Diversity Mentorship Program is the latest member-led initiative in the Pac-12 Conference's efforts to promote social justice and combat racism, which since its creation in June has led to a series of student-athlete and coach anti-racism forums and men's basketball coaches' collective support of the McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative.