BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University Department of Athletics & Recreation has been selected as the national 2020 recipient of the Division III LGBTQ Athletics Department/Conference of the Year Award. The inaugural Division III LGBTQ OneTeam Recognition Award winners were announced on Wednesday evening at the virtual NCAA Convention.

This prestigious new award recognizes and honors a Division III athletics department or conference office from across the nation that has demonstrated proactive efforts to create and sustain an LGBTQ-inclusive culture.

“I would like to thank the LGBTQA Working Group of Division III,” said BSU Director of Athletics & Recreation, Dr. Marybeth Lamb. “This award recognizes not only the diversity and inclusion work we have done in the past, but also a charge to continue our efforts in the future. 

“This award recognizes the important inclusion practices that we, throughout the BSU Community and especially intercollegiate athletics, have taken to ensure that we are a welcoming environment for all our student-athletes,” noted Lamb.

“We will continue to provide a safe environment for all out student-athletes to excel in their sports,” Lamb added, “and we will continue to evolve and improve our assessments and practices to make sure that our LGBTQ community is welcomed throughout the program – both athletics and recreation.”

Lamb said the university has worked closely with the LGBTQ community and the Bridgewater State Pride Center to support the “intersectionality of student-athletes” and is developing a student advisory board for diversity and inclusion. She also said the university’s transgender student-athlete policy was among the first in the region and noted the university’s efforts to provide a safe, inclusive environment.

“This award is a true testament to the commitment of an outstanding department of Athletics and Recreation who, day-in-and-day-out, fully and wholistically support our student-athletes, said BSU Vice President of Student Affair and Enrollment Management, Dr. Joseph Oravecz. “To be recognized for the outstanding commitment, and also to be the recipient of the inaugural national award, I cannot be prouder of what they have accomplished.”

“The staff members and coaches, individually and collectively, are steadfast in the support they provide to our student-athletes ensuring a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for the LGBTQ community and its allies,” Oravecz added.

Bridgewater State was one of eight Division III institutions to be nominated for the inaugural LGBTQ Athletics Department/Conference of the Year Award. The Bear were joined by Fairleigh Dickinson University (Florham), Haverford College, the Middle Atlantic Conference, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, Purchase College and Vassar College.

Initiated by the Division III LGBTQ Working Group, the awards program was unveiled during the LGBTQ and Allies Reception at the 2019 NCAA Convention. The nomination period was open from February to June 2020. The selection committee reviewed approximately 40 nominations and conducted two rounds of evaluations with the purpose of identifying a standout nominee in each category.

-- Watch video of Dr. Lamb discussing the award and the University's efforts --

Release courtesy of Bridgewater State Sports Information