Lapchick Honored with AAC's Commissioner's Trailblazer Award

ORLANDO - UCF's own Dr. Richard E. Lapchick as the winner of the inaugural Commissioner's Annual Trailblazer Award, as announced today by American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco. The award is one of three honors distributed by The American's Racial Equality Action Group (REAG). UCF softball standout Jada Cody and UCF deputy athletic director for external relations and business development Chris McFarlane were also recognized by the conference as nominees for the Together We Stand Award.
 
In 2021-22, the REAG created awards to recognize the contributions of student-athletes, staff and other individuals related to AAC institutions.
 
— The Commissioner's Annual Trailblazer Award is presented to an individual who has a long-time history of inclusive behavior, local activism, commitment to diverse and inclusive practices within athletics/sport industries, has spoken out on behalf of the underserved or underrepresented, has committed time, services and energy to embrace and uphold the tenets of diversity, equity and inclusion in his/her everyday life and/or who has made innovate changes that positively affected athletics diversity initiatives.
 
— The American's Together We Stand Awards are presented to one current student-athlete and one current institutional staff member who demonstrate excellence in advancing racial equality in their athletic department, at their institution and/or in their community. In addition to the conference Together We Stand award winners, the nominees from the institutions are also recognized.
 
Lapchick, a human rights activist and pioneer for racial equality, is an internationally recognized expert on sports issues, scholar and author. He serves as the president of the Institute for Sport and Social Justice, which is housed at UCF, and for more than two decades oversaw the DeVos Sport Business Management Program at UCF. One of his most effective tools for enacting change at a fundamental, institutional level has been his acclaimed Racial and Gender Report Card, which he began in 1988, and is now compiled by UCF graduate students. Amongst his numerous honors, Lapchick was honored with the 1997 Arthur Ashe Voice of Conscience Award and was named the 2021 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year.

 

Cody, an All-American and AAC all-conference performer on the diamond, has used her voice for change. A very passionate, African-American woman, Cody has used her influence in sport in a positive way. She celebrates Black History Month through social media and advocates for minorities, particularly Black women, to get involved in her sport. Representation matters to her and she has participated in numerous volunteer activities with young athletes to show them that anything is possible.
 
McFarlane represents the Knights at the conference level for all diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. McFarlane initiated and presently oversees the department's UCF IDEALS Council for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Awareness, Leadership & Support — an interdisciplinary group dedicated to upholding UCFAA's commitment to inclusive excellence for both student-athletes and staff. In his nearly 20-year career in collegiate sports, McFarlane has prioritized DEI initiatives at various institutions. He is a graduate of UCF's DeVos Sport Business Management program, which heavily incorporates into its curriculum the role of sport in society, how the power of sport can help create a more inclusive society and how the responsibility of the power of sport should be used to make a difference.
  
Institutional Nominees for Together We Stand Awards
Student-Athlete
Jada Cody – Softball, UCF
Laynce Williams – Women's Basketball, Memphis
Tieley Vaughn – Softball, South Florida
Charessa Crosse – Women's Lacrosse, Temple (Award Winner)
Nobal Days – Men's Basketball, Tulane
 
Staff Member
Chris McFarlane – Deputy AD for External Relations and Business Development, UCF
Marlon Dechausay – Senior Associate AD for Student-Athlete Welfare, Memphis (Award Winner)
Kydani Dover – Director of Student Learning Services, South Florida