LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University Department of Athletics has announced the establishment of its Social Justice Task Force.
 
The LHU Athletics Social Justice Task Force membership is comprised of various athletic department representatives, including administrators, coaches and student-athletes, among other university and community designees.
 
The mission of the task force is to promote an enriching and supportive climate that allows every student-athlete to succeed. 
 
The Social Justice Task Force seeks to collaborate with various units across the university to provide a comprehensive, community-wide approach to diversity, inclusivity and equity.  Through strategic planning and program development, the task force hopes to empower the LHU athletics community to build a diverse, inclusive and respectful environment, ensuring the community is a place where all will thrive and recognize their transformative value in an ever-changing global society.
 
Dr. Tom Gioglio, LHU director of athletics, believes the establishment of the task force is a necessary and important step forward in creating a more supportive environment, and one that allows all LHU student-athletes to feel at home and succeed.
 
"I am extremely appreciative to the Social Justice Task Force for committing themselves to assisting the Lock Haven University athletic department in promoting an enriching and supportive climate that allows every student-athlete to succeed," Gioglio said. "I am particularly grateful for the student-athletes who have taken on a significant leadership role within this group for the betterment of the athletic department. Their willingness to hold thoughtful dialogue throughout the summer is allowing the athletic department to evolve, while providing actionable steps that will continue to value and embrace a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture for the LHU athletics community."
 
Kenneth Hall, the LHU athletics diversity and inclusion designee (ADID) and director of the university's office of diversity, equity and inclusion, has been instrumental in the establishment of the Social Justice Task Force and will play a vital role moving forward.
 
"The idea is to provide athletes with an advocacy group that will address the issues around diversity, equity and inclusion that they encounter in our community," Hall said. "It is vital that our students - athletes or not - realize that they are not alone, and we are here to support them in their journey at The Haven."
 
As the ADID, Hall works alongside LHU athletics' administrators, coaches and student-athletes to help foster an environment that values cultural diversity and gender equity.
 
Much of the work of the Social Justice Task Force will be driven by the LHU student-athletes and guided by their voice.
 
"It is crucial that the Lock Haven athletic department is making such significant steps towards providing resources and support to foster inclusion within its diverse community," said Trinity Sumrall, LHU junior. "The Social Justice Task Force is working towards continuing to build a foundation of acceptance and unity between the Lock Haven University athletes and the Lock Haven community. It is a blessing to be a member of a group that is so determined to shine a bright light on diversity. I truly believe that we have the ability to make huge strides towards creating a welcoming environment for every person included in the Lock Haven athletics community."
 
Sumrall, a Spanish and secondary education English major, is a member of the women's basketball team. The Lancaster native represents the student-athletes on the Social Justice Task Force Executive Committee.

Sumrall is joined on the executive committee by Hall; Dr. Danielle Barney, associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator; and head women's basketball coach Jennifer Smith.
 
The vision of the Social Justice Task Force is simple and the group will work toward providing a respectful and supportive family environment that values and embraces a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture for the entire LHU athletics community.
 
Task force objectives include diversity climate surveys, enhancing knowledge about social justice issues through educational programming, supporting departmental discussions and dialogue and multi-media campaigns, as well as creating and supporting a minority student-athlete alliance. The Social Justice Task Force plans to establish and support a hotline system for the LHU athletics community to access for the purpose of relaying or discussing concerns regarding diversity, equity and inclusion. The group will also look to establish a social media presence to build a connection with the LHU athletics family and to serve as a communication tool for task force initiatives.
 
Future goals also include increasing engagement opportunities within the greater Lock Haven community, conducting exercises and training for implicit bias, microaggressions, allyship and other similar topics for the LHU athletics community, along with continued efforts to recognize and impact structural practices to emphasize and celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion for athletics staff and student-athletes.
 
The Social Justice Task Force will also work hard to encourage and provide support to meet challenges and opportunities of recruiting, retaining and graduating a diverse student-athlete body.
 
For more information about the LHU Athletics Social Justice Task Force, visit https://www.golhu.com/sports/2020/10/22/lhu-athletics-social-justice-task-force.aspx.
 
The LHU Athletics Social Justice Task Force:
Trinity Sumrall, Student-Athlete/Women's Basketball
Kelsey Brown, Student-Athlete/Women's Soccer
Matt Farr, Student-Athlete/Football
Kahari Whitfield, Student-Athlete/Football
Karina Long, Student-Athlete/Field Hockey and Women's Track & Field
Jesse McPherson, Student-Athlete/Men's Basketball
Stefanie O'Grady, Student-Athlete/Softball
Christopher Valdez, Student-Athlete/Men's Cross Country and Track & Field
Zoe Waddell, Student-Athlete/Lacrosse
Dr. Tom Gioglio, Director of Athletics
Dr. Danielle Barney, Associate Director of Athletics & Senior Woman Administrator (SWA)
Kenneth Hall, Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee (ADID)/Director of Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Dr. James Mattern, Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR)/Assistant Professor, Sport Studies Department
Timothy Stringer, Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police
Doug Spatafore, Senior Director of Athletic Communications & Marketing
Jennifer Smith, Head Women's Basketball Coach
Anna Rogers, Assistant Field Hockey Coach
Nate Carr, Jr., Assistant Wrestling Coach
Albert Jones, Trustee, Alumnus & Community Member