College athletics bring together individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, beliefs, and identities—including those rooted in religious traditions and those advocating for LGBTQ inclusion. These varied perspectives can sometimes present challenges for athletics programs committed to fostering environments where all student-athletes and staff feel respected, supported, and valued.
To address these complexities, the Common Ground initiative was launched in November 2014, aimed at bridging divides and building mutual understanding through dialogue. The initiative seeks to fulfill its mission by creating opportunities for intentional dialogue and relationship building among people of all faiths, gender identities, and sexual orientations within the context of college athletics. This approach equips and supports members of intercollegiate athletic programs to create and model inclusive environments on their campuses.
At the heart of Common Ground is a vision of connection without compromise. It defines common ground as areas where individuals and groups can connect meaningfully without sacrificing their core values and beliefs. The initiative seeks to provide opportunities for participants to:
- Understand each other’s common humanity through empathy and respect.
- Intervene when witnessing a lack of empathy and respect.
- Recognize that each person brings multiple identities that shape their perspectives and experiences.
Common Ground acknowledges that identities, beliefs, and perspectives do not exist in a binary. They often overlap and intersect in complex ways—and one of Common Ground’s goals is to unearth and honor those areas of nuance, connection, and shared humanity.
Common Ground stands firm in its commitment to student-athlete well-being and success. It promotes a model of college athletics that cultivates a climate of respect, dignity, and belonging for all, and inspires others within and beyond college athletics to strive for inclusive and respectful communities.
