WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State Athletics has formed a Diversity and Inclusion Council. The purpose of the WSU-ICAA Diversity and Inclusion Council is to advance Shocker Athletics' commitment toward diversity, inclusion, and gender equity among its student-athletes, coaches, and administrators.

The WSU-ICAA Diversity and Inclusion Council was formed organically in early June after watching the shocking death of George Floyd.  Although Mr. Floyd was not the first victim of egregious behavior, his death served as the ultimate motivation for change.
 

The Council will be advocating and empowering members of Shocker Athletics by focusing on professional growth through education and the celebration of diversity and inclusion.

 

"Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are one of our athletic department's core values," said Becky Endicott, Senior Associate AD/SWA. "The newly formed WSU-ICAA Diversity and Inclusion Council has been developed to help support department-wide initiatives, provide awareness, and provide educational training opportunities for staff and student-athletes while helping WSU Athletics carry out its mission effectively. Every coach, staff member, and student-athlete should be respected, and diversity and inclusion should be truly fostered, within our athletic department. Our goals are to provide a safe unbiased environment where student-athletes can grow as young individuals and every employee can bring their true and authentic selves to work every day."

 

The objective of the WSU-ICAA Diversity and Inclusion Council will be to celebrate all humanity. WSU Athletics wants to celebrate the coaches, student-athletes, and staff who are Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Native Hawaiian, International, Multi-Racial, White, and who are members of the LGBTQ community. 

 

"The Athletic Student Services/Compliance Office has always emphasized developing relationships and partnerships on campus because we are an extension of the work of this great university," said Korey Torgerson, Associate AD/Compliance. "The WSU-ICAA Diversity and Inclusion Council engaged the WSU Office of Diversity and Inclusion this summer and we look forward to developing programming in the future for all student-athletes, coaches, and staff. We must provide a platform to listen to our student-athletes so that we can become better individually as people, but more importantly, collectively as a department."

 

Members of the Council include: 

 

Marta Bellucco - Women's Tennis Student-Athlete

Kristi Bredbenner – Head Softball Coach

Isaac Brown – Men's Basketball Assistant Coach

Dexter Dennis – Men's Basketball Student-Athlete
Kristin Dowell - Academic Coordinator

Becky Endicott - Senior Associate AD/SWA 
Alex Johnson - Director of Development (American Athletic Conference Racial Equality Action Group Representative) 

Sarah Mathews - Director of Compliance (Shocker LIFE & SAAC)

Reginald McIntyre - Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement (SAAC)
Chinelo Ogogor - Volleyball Student-Athlete

Brad Pittman - Senior Associate AD/Facilities and Operations 

Karen Pugh – Shocker LIFE Graduate Assistant (Shocker LIFE & SAAC) 

Korey Torgerson - Associate AD/Compliance

 

Mission:

WSU-ICAA Diversity and Inclusion Council's purpose is to advance Shocker Athletics commitment toward diversity, inclusion and gender equity among its student-athletes, coaches and administrators. We want to advocate and empower members of Shocker Athletics by focusing on professional growth through education and the celebration of diversity and inclusion.