Expert: Nebraska Student-Athlete Environment THE Best

By Randy York, The N-Sider

From across the country and around the world, the media defines Richard Lapchick as an internationally recognized expert on sport and society. A pioneer for racial equality and a renowned human rights activist, Lapchick is a mentor to many, including Keith Zimmer, Nebraska’s senior associate athletic director for Life Skills and the N Club.  

One of three keynote speakers for Nebraska’s second annual Diversity and Inclusion Summit for 550 student-athletes Sunday night and for 328 staff members Monday morning, Lapchick shared a major kudo of his own with The N-Sider.

“I think that Nebraska has the best student-athlete environment in the country right here on this campus,” Lapchick told me. “I think we become better as individuals and as groups when we embrace diversity, learn from each other and listen to each other."

Former college basketball player Nevin Caple is a leading NCAA diversity consultant and national speaker.

Nebraska’s Lead Role in Inclusion Summits is Heartening, Not Surprising

“We have different points of view that might not have been seen before we opened our eyes and our ears from different points of people,” Lapchick said. “For Nebraska to become the first university to hold these summits consistently is heartening but not surprising.”

That’s because Lapchick has been Zimmer’s personal mentor for 30 years. “His imprints are all over our Nebraska program because of what I’ve learned from Richard,” Zimmer said.

Lapchick helped create the Center for Study for Sport in Society and the National Consortium for Academics and Sport, which consists of nearly 300 universities offering degree completion, community service and specialized proactive educational training.

“I’ve pulled pieces of Richard’s initiatives and integrated them into our program,” Zimmer said. “It’s an honor to have him here. He's world-renowned. He's worked with Muhammad Ali and Nelson Mandela. He's worked with the NBA and the NFL. He's also created programs within the NCAA. Richard is all about intersecting sport and society and using the power of sport for a common good, and really, that describes the Nebraska Life Skills Program."

Caple, Czuth Share Compelling Stories to Student-Athletes, Nebraska Staff

Diversity consultant and LGBTQ educator Nevin Caple and Hungary native Reka Czuth (above) a Nebraska women’s track and field team high jumper, also shared compelling stories for student-athletes and members of Nebraska’s Athletics staff.

Czuth mentioned the experiences and challenges student-athletes face when they have to learn a new language, compete nationally and excel in the classroom.

“It was very hard to tell my story because not many people know what it’s like to come here from another country,” she said. “I just wanted to make everyone understand what we go through. No matter how many of us are struggling, we can always rely on each other because all the people surrounding us love us and are always here for us.

“We have all the resources you need in front of you to make ourselves better, but we also have to open up to people,” Czuth said. “It takes time and patience. Everyone here is so loving and so caring about each other. Since I arrived here, I was never homesick one single day because I felt that love and caring. That's why Nebraska became my second family.”

A former college basketball player, Caple received the NCAA’s highest recommendation as a speaker. Her Sunday night and Monday morning speeches reflected such premier praise and explained why she's in demand across the country as a lead diversity and inclusion specialist.

In both Lincoln speeches, Caple asked student-athletes and staff members if they knew family members or friends who were gay. When the vast majority in both crowds raised their hands, Caple shared her own very moving story that, unfortunately, cost her and her parents nearly 10 years of consistent interaction, even though she loves them and they love her.

Husker Coaches, Staff Share Thoughts on Diversity at Inclusion Summit

Here are more thoughts from those attending Monday’s Diversity and Inclusion Summit:

Devandrew Johnson (pictured above): “We had major discussions at our table, and some grew up in segregation in two different states in the South. There were different perspectives on different issues. We are all here trying to learn, communicate and understand. It’s hard, but it makes you glad to have a great program like ours.”

Rhonda Revelle: “Every speaker had a different angle on the same diversity and inclusion subject. All speakers in their own right were powerful. As I reflect on my notes, there are good takeaways. You just have to keep asking the question ‘What can I do today to make our world and this community even more inclusive?’ I think that’s the call to action as we walk out of here. If we keep putting that together day in and day out and ask what we can do to make this world more accepting, more inclusive or more loving, then it’s a better world right then and there.”

Tim Miles: “I always enjoy learning about diversity and inclusion because I grew up in a small town in South Dakota. I’ve been around college basketball since 1985 and understand diversity, inclusion and a broader worldview. I think it’s awesome to get national speakers like we had and hear them tell their life experiences. They have so many meaningful lessons for everyone.”

Patrick Rowan (pictured above): “It was hard to listen to some statistics shared, but was needed to spur our growth. When you have that information and take it to the discussion table, you want to make meaningful improvement and connect with one another. It was not just diversity information. It’s a challenge to help us grow. The way things are going right now, my goodness, this discussion is what everyone needs to share with one another.”

Chuck Love: “The Summit was very powerful, and I’m glad we touched on all the topics we did. It makes you feel thankful and blessed to get this kind of support as a member of the Athletic Department, and it's nice to share stories and conversations with those around you. It makes an impact when you listen and learn about the facts and statistics."

Brett Haskell: “These are uncomfortable discussions to have, and it takes someone courageous to share a personal experience for us to connect. We had three presenters share their experiences that allowed people to stop thinking about this as just an issue or a political topic. It helped tear down some walls and paved the way for us to connect on a personal level.

"Vulnerability builds empathy, and that's at the core of how we begin to understand the perspective of another person. It facilitated some discussions at our table about our differences, our similarities and the importance of talking about these things with our leaders, coaches and people in positions of power. We need to be able to put ourselves in each other’s shoes.

"You may never be able to completely understand another person’s experience, but dialogue allows you to look at it through their lens. We have to consider perspective. What Nebraska is doing is unique because it's very uncomfortable to talk about our vulnerabilities. We may not all agree, but we are going to talk about it at the very least.”

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