A Commitment – Texas A&M Athletics

It was an opportunity for our staff members and our student-athletes to not just attend the summit, but to hear from the experiences of Black student-athletes from across the country. 

On top of everything, B.L.U.E.print founding member and former president Karlina Sample witnessed her brainchild win “Best Black Student-Athlete Organization”, and she was named “Woman of the Year”. 

“The Black Student-Athlete Summit was an amazing experience and unlike any other conference I’ve ever attended,” Communications Coordinator Marissa Avanzato said. “It was awesome to watch Aggie student-athletes interact with fellow athletes from around the country and to see their hard work with B.L.U.E.print be nationally recognized. The conversations, presentations and speakers were so impactful. I’m excited to put some of these ideas into action at Texas A&M.”   

In an effort to give student-athletes and staff members a platform and uncensored space to share their own unique experiences and journeys, the Aggie Commitment created Unified Voices.  

There you hear personal stories from courageous individuals shared through their own voices and perspectives.  

Inspiring and incredible stories and perspectives from staff members such as Dr. Dan Childs and Molly Tye. Or student-athletes from sports ranging from women’s basketball, football, swimming & diving and many others. 

It was a space to share who they were and why they are. A space that, in most places, isn’t offered and isn’t desired.  

But at A&M, all voices hold weight. All stories are worth telling, and “Unified Voices” was a space for just that. 

Continuing Education: 

to provide our staff and student-athletes with resources, programming and platforms to learn and grow. 

On Feb. 24, 2022, Texas A&M Athletics announced the partnership with Return on Inclusion (ROI). 

ROI is an industry-leading organization that provides sport-specific diversity and inclusion education to coaches, staff and administrators. 

With ROI and founder Nevin Caple, Texas A&M Athletics staff members were given the opportunity to learn through a comprehensive diversity and inclusion training designed specifically for college athletic departments. 

Instruction was through six modules 

• Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Foundations 
• Cultural Competence & Managing Relationships 
• Overcoming Bias, Microaggressions & Covering 
• Unpacking Racism, Anti-Racism & Privilege 
• LGBTQ+ Inclusion & Gender Stereotypes 
• Inclusive Leadership & Strategic Plan Development 

ROI was and will continue to be an investment for the future of Texas A&M Athletics. Caple is set to return to campus in October of this year to meet with student-athletes and staff for in-person training and discussion of the six modules. 

“What I love about our staff is that not only are they committed to the present and making sure that Texas A&M Athletics is an equitable and inclusive environment today,” Deputy Athletics Director Kristen Brown said. “They are constantly working to ensure that the department continues to evolve and is positioned to be at its best for tomorrow. Their energy and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is contagious and inspiring, and it will certainly make A&M Athletics better long after their time here concludes.” 

Social & Community Engagement: 

to create impactful opportunities that allow our staff and student-athletes to engage with each other as well as with the campus and local communities through service projects and strategic partnerships/relationships. 

In the Brazos Valley, the Aggie Commitment was incredibly active.  

They spearheaded multiple staff initiatives that provided resources and humanitarian efforts to many in Aggieland. 

First, the Aggie Commitment in partnership with United Way created a book drive that collected 258 books for children of all ages.  

The aim was to provide every child, regardless of socioeconomic background, access to free books.  

In Brazos County, 43% of all students meet the 3rd grade reading?standard. When you review that data with race in mind, 61% of those students are White, 32% are Hispanic/Latinx and 23% are Black. 

The two are dedicated to early literacy in Brazos County and this is only the beginning of that partnership. 

Second, 60 Texas A&M Athletics staffers volunteered with Habitat for Humanities taking part in a two-day service project to build a home for a local family in need of equitable housing.  

Between on-site construction and work at the Habitat for Humanities’ warehouse, volunteers logged 172.5 hours of work. 

“This is selfless service,” Director of Development Carl Orozco said. “They are willing to give up their time, which is the most precious thing that we have. We can’t make any more time, so to give that up during the working hours is the epitome of selfless service and a wonderful example of the Aggie Spirit.” 

Helping raise walls, hammer nails or cut wood is our duty as residents of this community. To help hard-working low-income families build a home for their family. The Aggie Commitment is dedicated to helping when they can and volunteering their time to improve our community.