HAMPTON, Va. (March 23, 2025) … Hampton University women's soccer student-athletes
Chanel Azong and Evan-Nicole Whitaker along with Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development
Kevarian Henry and Mental Health Specialist
Vonchell Lewis participated in the NCAA's Common Ground program in Indianapolis, Ind. at the NCAA national office.
The NCAA office of inclusion brought together nearly 70 student-athletes, coaches, administrators and university staff from 15 faith-based, private and public universities for three days of educational sessions, intentional dialogue, relationship building, reflection and strategy discussions.
Each school applied to the program with the permission of their president, selecting multiple representatives so each campus team could discuss specific challenges they have faced, as well as their campus' strategies and resources. The team model also offers support to individuals and a broader campus network for ideation and action. Throughout the program, campus teams developed action plans to take back to their campuses.
During Common Ground, the student-athletes had time to talk among themselves, sharing their experiences on campus. The program equipped them with tools for having intentional and meaningful dialogue with their teammates and peers.
"A lot of people have different things they don't talk about and issues you may never know," said Whitaker. "Being here taught me how to be an outlet for them back at school and make sure they feel welcomed in a safe space."
Azong added, "Even if the team is going through a bad phase, when you're close with your people, it just makes everything easier and that little bit better."
Leaving Common Ground, Azong feels like she has the tools to open those doors for her teammates to engage in dialogue to connect.
Common Ground is guided by its vision to create a model of collegiate athletics that is safe and welcoming for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and faith perspectives. This approach aims to equip and support members to create and develop Common Ground initiatives on their campuses.
"Common Ground continued last year's approach by focusing on encompassing a spectrum of institution type and individual faith-based and LGBTQ+ experiences. The goal of this programming is to establish welcoming and respectful athletics environments for participants of all faith perspectives, gender identities and sexual orientations. We have seen participants at the program show the willingness and courageousness to say, 'I don't know all of the answers, but I'm open to learning,'" said Jean Merrill, director of inclusion at the NCAA.
Changing the values of participants has never been the objective of Common Ground. Rather, the program seeks to bring together groups of individuals with varying perspectives and break down barriers through conversations that foster empathy and understanding.
