LGBT SportsSafe Inclusion Program

The LGBT SportSafe Inclusion Program was developed to create an infrastructure for athletic administration to support LGBTQ inclusion in college, high school and professional sports. LGBT SportSafe utilizes a new framework, the 3‐Peat Model, to help coaches and athletic administrators champion a culture of respect and inclusion. The 3‐Peat Model addresses the importance of Programming, Policy and Public Awareness at all levels of sport, while offering incentives to institutions that reach inclusion goals. 

"Nebraska Athletics is honored to be an inaugural member of the LGBT SportsSafe Inclusion program," Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst said. "This affiliation reaffirms Nebraska’s commitment and desire to be a leader in diversity and inclusion, providing the very best resources to our student-athletes and staff.”

Keith Zimmer, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Life Skills/N-Club, said: “In my 30-year tenure serving the Nebraska Athletics Department and helping develop student-athletes, we frequently speak of the 'Nebraska Way', which has and always will be to treat every student-athlete with respect while embracing differences.

"Nebraska takes great pride in providing the same services, resources and support to all student-athletes no matter what their background, sport or status might be," Zimmer said. "Throughout my tenure, I have witnessed Nebraska working diligently to be a pioneer and eventually among the nation’s best in many critical areas of the student-athlete experience, including but not limited to, academic support, life skills, strength and conditioning, nutrition, performance and psychology.

"I'm especially pleased with the commitment our athletic department has made to have a comprehensive diversity and inclusion component impacting all student-athletes, coaches and staff," Zimmer said. "Nebraska looks forward to working closely with our campus experts and the likes of (Dr.) Eric Lueshen and Nevin Caple to help ensure we are providing the best support and resources as we strive to become a national model in this all-important area of diversity and inclusion.”