University of Portland Athletics

The University of Portland Department of Athletics stands against racism and systemic discrimination, in our department, on our campus, and in our community. We are committed to the well-being, education and equality of every person, and are committed to taking action to drive societal and systematic change.
 
The Athletic Department states unequivocally that Black lives matter. This document is geared specifically to the fight against racism in support of the Black community, but will evolve to be part of broader Diversity/Equity/Inclusion efforts in the Athletic Department.
 

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    An area that was identified early on was establishing a visual representation of what the department stood for.  After consultation with coaches, staff, and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee the logo to the left was born. Each word represents visually what collectively as a department we stand behind, more can be found below.  T-Shirts with this logo are being distributed to all student-athletes, coaches and staff and will also be visible at all athletic competition sites.
 

   It is time for change. Change in people’s perspectives and understanding. Change in how we treat one another. Change in systems, structures, and actions. Change that results in people being treated equally, respectfully, and without bias. Change comes through connection and communication, and UP Athletics is committed to leading the way in making meaningful change.
 

    Justice
We believe in justice – equal treatment under the law, in systems, and in society. Justice means treating people with dignity and respect, and UP Athletics lives those values in the way we treat people, both within our Pilot family and as part of the broader community. We stand for fairness, equity, and inclusion.
 

    Equality
Equality means that everyone has the opportunity to make the most of their talents. This should be particularly true in sports - if you can play, you can play, regardless of your race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or nationality. UP Athletics celebrates equality through the universal language of sport and the respect of competition.
 

    Education
Teaching and learning is the building block of UP Athletics, and it is a critical step in taking action towards racial justice. It allows us to understand our history, and move forward to shape an equitable future. College athletics provides access to education, and UP Athletics believes in the value of life-long learning as we strive for an equitable and just society.
 

University of Portland LGBTQ+ Resources

Discover: Pride Month

University of Portland Statement of Inclusion

At the University of Portland, a Catholic University guided by the Congregation of Holy Cross, all dimensions of our communal life—teaching and learning, faith and formation, and service and leadership—are informed and transformed by prayer, scripture, and the Christian tradition. Our belief in the inherent dignity of each person is founded upon the social teaching of the Catholic Church. At the center of that teaching is the fundamental mandate that every person, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social or economic class, age, or disability shall be treated with respect and dignity.

Moreover, we seek to create and sustain an inclusive environment where all people are welcomed as children of God and valued as full members of our community. We condemn harassment of every kind, and assert that no one in our community should be subject to physical or verbal harassment or abuse. Further, no one shall be denied access to programs, services, and activities for any unlawful reason. We provide all who live, learn, and work at the University the opportunity to actively participate in a vibrant, diverse, intellectual community that offers a broad range of ideas and perspectives, so that we may all learn from one another.

This statement was adopted by the Board of Regents on May 13, 2011.

 

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PilotsTalk
Pilots Talk, established in June of 2020, is dedicated as a brave place for student-athletes to come together as a community to process ongoing national events and conversations regarding racial injustice, mental health, and their identity as student-athletes. Each week is dedicated to a theme and combines education, reflection, discussion, and pledges of action. For an in-depth look into PilotsTalk you can read this article from University of Portland's student newspaper, The Beacon. Article

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
The University of Portland Athletic Department established a standing committee that will focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in August of 2020.  This committee will serve as a moral compass for the department and provide recommendations to the leadership team on how to create a more inclusive environment for its student-athletes, coaches, staff and future members of the department.  Representation on the committee includes members of the coaching staff, student-athletes, University administrators, alumni and staff.  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a top priority for the Athletic Department this year and beyond, and long-lasting change is the primary goal.  The committee has already begun, and will continue to, execute initiatives to build a strong foundation to build upon for years to come.  The Athletic Department prides itself in the diversity contained in the department and thus wants to lead the campus in this area.  Sports have a unique way to bring people together regardless of any differences and the department chooses to celebrate those.

PilotsVote
Click the link above to find more information on the #AllVoteNoPlay campaign that we took part in. The campaign resulted in 98.8% of University of Portland Student-Athletes being registered to vote in the latest election.

Action Plan (Coming Soon)

Nondiscrimination Policy

University Resources