Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

In February 2014, the Minority Inclusion Plan (MIP) was approved by the MIAA and MSSAA Board of Directors. MIP, as presented by Executive Director Bill Gaine to the Board of Directors had two major components:

• Recruit staff to be more diverse and representative of those served by the organizations.
• Restructure and revisit the MSSAA/MIAA plan and policies for minority inclusion throughout all areas of governance.

Since MIP’s inception, the task has been to build an organization where diversity and inclusion are an important part of our culture and who we are.

In the Fall 2016, as a direct response to the Minority Inclusion Plan (MIP), the MSAA and MIAA established the first ever Inclusion Committee. The Inclusion Committee was comprised of a variety of individuals and community partners. Since renamed the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (DEIC), the DEIC strives to redefine what DEI means, how schools practice, monitor, and evaluate DEI programs and services, and to provide DEI leadership trainings to increase the capacity to meet the DEI needs across the state. For the MSAA/MIAA memberships, it means creating an opportunity for all students to participate in interscholastic athletics.

The MSAA/MIAA hosted its first Inclusion Symposium at our Franklin headquarters in May 2017. The first Inclusion Summit for students was held at Holy Cross in January 2018.

The MSAA/MIAA DEI committee is committed to promoting social inclusion and attitudes of nondiscrimination towards cultures, gender, race, disabilities, sexual orientation and religion. Massachusetts has nation leading programs in support of LGBTQ individuals, Special Olympics, Unified Sports and Para Sports inclusion integrated with MSAA/MIAA sports and Educational Athletics programs. For example, the MSAA/MIAA and Special Olympics are partners in Unified Track and Field as well as Unified Basketball. Approximately 100 schools participate in Unified Track and Field and over 80 schools participate in Unified Basketball. We are looking to grow all inclusion programs and be the model for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion that other state associations can emulate.