Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc., (IHSAA) is committed to creating, cultivating, and enhancing cultural diversity, equity, and inclusion within its scope of activity and influence.
The IHSAA seeks to model an inclusive, diverse, and equitable culture focused on the development of human potential. The divergent individual differences, life experiences, self-expressions, unique capabilities, and talent that our employees, and those of our member school students, administrators, and coaches are to be celebrated, championed, and recognized in all phases of our endeavors. The successes of our constituents should be representative of the cultures, ideologies, and values found within and among our communities.
We embrace differences in age, ability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, socio-economic status, veteran status, and all other characteristics that make each person unique.
The IHSAA’s diversity initiatives are applicable—but not limited—to our practices and policies on recruitment and selection; recognition; leadership; programming; and the ongoing development of an education-based athletic environment built on the premise of diversity, equity, and inclusion that encourages and emphasizes:
- Respectful communication and cooperation
- Teamwork and community participation, permitting the representation of all groups and perspectives
- Contributions to the communities we serve to promote a greater understanding and respect for equity and diversity
- Healthy and safe competitive environments
- Equitable access
- Exemplary Sportsmanship
- Demographic representation