Georgia Tech Athletics Introduces Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Pledge

As a culmination to last week’s ACC Unity Week celebration, the Georgia Tech Athletic Association (GTAA) has unveiled its new diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) pledge. The GTAA’s DEI pledge outlines Georgia Tech athletics’ commitment to supporting and developing its student-athletes to be agents of social change and leaders of their generation, to take full advantage of being Georgia Tech graduates and to make the world a better place for all.

The DEI pledge was developed with input from dozens of Georgia Tech student-athletes, coaches, and staff members. It will become a permanent part of Georgia Tech athletics’ Gold Code, which also includes the department’s core values, brand differentiators, vision, mission, and formula (WINNING + THE INSTITUTE + TOTAL PERSON PROGRAM = EVERYDAY CHAMPIONS). Georgia Tech athletics hope that all alumni and fans will join the GTAA in its pledge to prepare, support, and stand with student-athletes as they lead the charge to make the world a better place for all.

The Georgia Tech Athletic Association’s vision is to develop young people who will change the world. As part of that vision, we pledge the following:

• to support our student-athletes as agents of essential social change;
• to help create a world where all of our student-athletes are able to take full advantage of being Georgia Tech graduates;
• and to develop student-athletes to live a life of purpose and who are equipped to be the leaders of their generation.

Through education and the power of sport, Georgia Tech student-athletes have a unique opportunity to unite our community and our society. Not only do they have an exceptional platform, but as athletes, they get to experience the miracle of a team — where differences do not matter. Therefore, they are examples of what our society can be. As members of the huddle, our student-athletes have the ideal makeup to be agents for essential social change that will allow every current, former, and future member of the Georgia Tech athletics family to reach and exceed their potential.

To create an environment that allows individuals to reach and exceed their potential, we must not only be committed to our core values of teamwork, character, excellence, and innovation but also stand committed to the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion. By committing to these ideals, we hope to help create a world where all people — regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability — are judged solely by the content of their character, and where our experience in athletics can serve as an example to others who may never have experienced the power of diversity and the magic of team.

This is an excerpt from an issued press release by the Georgia Tech athletics department. To read the full press release from GT, click here.