Photo by: Jenny Chuang
Black Student-Athlete Summit Selects USC Athletic Director Mike Bohn As Male AD of the Year
May 26, 2022 | USC Athletics, Here U Belong (HUB)
The inaugural award recognizes Bohn’s commitment to enhancing the experiences of Black student-athletes at USC.
HOUSTON, TEXAS — USC Athletic Director Mike Bohn has been named Male Athletic Director of the Year by the Black Student-Athlete Summit during a celebration of inaugural awards at the event, held this week in Houston, Texas. A recognition Bohn's commitment to enhancing the experiences of Black student-athletes at USC, the award was accepted on Bohn's behalf by Joyce Bell Limbrick, USC executive senior associate athletic director/SWA. Vanderbilt's Candice Storey Lee was the recipient of the inaugural Female Athletic Director of the Year award.
"Over the past two years, consistent with our guiding principles, we've committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive athletics program representative of our student-athlete body," Bohn said. "This award is reflection of the leadership of Dr. Julie Rousseau (Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) as well as the ongoing efforts of our entire department. Through DEI programming, all-staff educational sessions and interactive vignettes, we've had meaningful dialogues and grown together as a department as we've confronted critical issues in our society. I am humbled to receive this inaugural award, and I'm extremely proud of our entire athletics program, and in particular the United Black Student-Athlete Association, for their diligent efforts to enhance the athletic and academic experience for not only our Black student-athletes, but all of our student-athletes from minoritized backgrounds. The work is not done, and we remain committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for our student-athletes, coaches and staff."
For the second straight year, USC had the largest contingent of any other institution at the Black Student-Athlete Summit, with 26 Trojans in attendance. With more than 700 attendees, the Summit is a dynamic, three-day event that brings together student-athletes, administrators, coaches, graduate students and professors. Its inaugural awards were created to recognize the students, professionals, administrators and institutions doing the best work of putting the Summit's core mission into practice.
"Mike is the real deal. He understands the issues and he is a forward-thinking leader who is proactive in making sure that Black athletes at USC have a world-class experience," Dr. Leonard Moore, the founder and executive director of the Summit, said of Bohn. "I can think of no better person for this award."
In the summer of 2020, Bohn responded to the recommendations of USC's United Black Student-Athlete Association (UBSAA) by creating the USC Athletics Black Lives Matter Action Team. Since then, Bohn has kept his commitment to enhancing the experiences of the Black student-athletes at USC.
"I am honored, blessed and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our athletic director, Mike Bohn," Dr. Rousseau said. "His leadership has allowed all eight of our affinity groups representing USC's rich diversity to work toward a culture of belonging, inclusive of every student-athlete and the entire Trojan Athletics Department staff. His receipt of this award stands as a testament to Mike Bohn and the team of people who help make our athletic department a place where our students are seen as more than athletes. Their intent is for USC to be a place where diversity is respected and celebrated.
"Although much work lies ahead, I am proud to work at an institution which is intentionally aligning its efforts to make USC a place where diversity, equity, and inclusion is at the forefront. This award encourages us to continue educating ourselves about the barriers to equality that remain deeply entrenched. Congratulations to Mike Bohn for the recognition he has received on behalf of all who are resolute in their pursuit of justice for all."
"Over the past two years, consistent with our guiding principles, we've committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive athletics program representative of our student-athlete body," Bohn said. "This award is reflection of the leadership of Dr. Julie Rousseau (Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) as well as the ongoing efforts of our entire department. Through DEI programming, all-staff educational sessions and interactive vignettes, we've had meaningful dialogues and grown together as a department as we've confronted critical issues in our society. I am humbled to receive this inaugural award, and I'm extremely proud of our entire athletics program, and in particular the United Black Student-Athlete Association, for their diligent efforts to enhance the athletic and academic experience for not only our Black student-athletes, but all of our student-athletes from minoritized backgrounds. The work is not done, and we remain committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for our student-athletes, coaches and staff."
For the second straight year, USC had the largest contingent of any other institution at the Black Student-Athlete Summit, with 26 Trojans in attendance. With more than 700 attendees, the Summit is a dynamic, three-day event that brings together student-athletes, administrators, coaches, graduate students and professors. Its inaugural awards were created to recognize the students, professionals, administrators and institutions doing the best work of putting the Summit's core mission into practice.
"Mike is the real deal. He understands the issues and he is a forward-thinking leader who is proactive in making sure that Black athletes at USC have a world-class experience," Dr. Leonard Moore, the founder and executive director of the Summit, said of Bohn. "I can think of no better person for this award."
In the summer of 2020, Bohn responded to the recommendations of USC's United Black Student-Athlete Association (UBSAA) by creating the USC Athletics Black Lives Matter Action Team. Since then, Bohn has kept his commitment to enhancing the experiences of the Black student-athletes at USC.
"I am honored, blessed and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our athletic director, Mike Bohn," Dr. Rousseau said. "His leadership has allowed all eight of our affinity groups representing USC's rich diversity to work toward a culture of belonging, inclusive of every student-athlete and the entire Trojan Athletics Department staff. His receipt of this award stands as a testament to Mike Bohn and the team of people who help make our athletic department a place where our students are seen as more than athletes. Their intent is for USC to be a place where diversity is respected and celebrated.
"Although much work lies ahead, I am proud to work at an institution which is intentionally aligning its efforts to make USC a place where diversity, equity, and inclusion is at the forefront. This award encourages us to continue educating ourselves about the barriers to equality that remain deeply entrenched. Congratulations to Mike Bohn for the recognition he has received on behalf of all who are resolute in their pursuit of justice for all."
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