BURLINGTON, Vt. – Men's Hockey sophomore forward Jacques Bouquot is helping lead the new College Hockey for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative that was unveiled Wednesday evening. The initiative is designed to create positive cultural change in the sport through communication, education, allyship, and advocacy. A group of 27 people representing the 11 Division I hockey conferences began meeting in the summer of 2020 and are leading the movement.
 
RELATED LINKS
CollegeHockey4DEI.com
 
"I wanted to join this committee because I want to help make hockey a more inclusive game," said Bouquot. "No matter your race, ethnicity, or gender everyone should be able to enjoy this great game. I hope this group can help bring equality to the hockey world."
 
"It is with absolute pride that we stand beside Jacques Bouquot on this day that celebrates all that he is as a man, as a student and as an NCAA Athlete," said Head Coach Todd Woodcroft. "In reading Jacques' statement, several words served as a true reflection of his character: inclusivity; equality and most of all hope. We know that Jacques will serve on the College Hockey Committee for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion with the same dedication he gives to his teammates and to the UVM community. UVM Hockey shares Jacques' opinion that hockey is a great game for girls and boys across the world and we admire his dedication to making hockey accessible to all who want to play." 
 
"The energy and commitment that this group has brought to each meeting has been inspiring," said Jennifer Flowers, Vice President and Women's Commissioner of the WCHA and the chair of the committee. "We are united in our goal and recognize there is work to be done. The conversations we have had give me confidence that we can affect change and ensure that college hockey is a welcoming environment for all."
 
Flowers and six members of the committee took part in a virtual news conference Wednesday evening introducing the initiative and unveiling its website (collegehockey4DEI.com) and mission:
 
College Hockey for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is dedicated to creating positive cultural change across our sport through communication, education, allyship, and advocacy. Together we are working for a better tomorrow, one shift at a time.
 
That mantra – one shift at a time – reflects the group's determination to pursue the challenging and necessary work of creating positive cultural change, with a recognition that sometimes that change comes as the accumulation of small steps.
 
"We are united in our effort to create meaningful change and improve diversity, equity, and inclusion within our sport," the website reads. "We intend to build upon the work of our institutions and partner with other organizations committed to these efforts to affect change in college hockey so that our sport may become a better version of itself. We will approach this challenging and necessary work just like we play our game: one shift at a time."
 
College Hockey for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Members
 

Conference	Name	Title	Institution / Organization
Atlantic Hockey (M)	Trevor Large	Head Coach	Canisius
	Devon Daniels	Student-Athlete	Mercyhurst
College Hockey America (W)	Shelley Looney	Head Coach	Lindenwood
	Emilie Harley	Student-Athlete	Robert Morris
Big Ten (M)	Bill Muckalt	Associate Head Coach	Michigan
	Robbie Stucker	Student-Athlete	Minnesota
ECAC Hockey (M&W)	Jim McLaughlin	Director of Athletics	Union
	Jennifer Costa	Student-Athlete	Dartmouth
	Rory Herrman	Student-Athlete	Rensselaer
Hockey East (M&W)	Alfie Michaud	Assistant Coach	Maine
	Nikki Harnett	Student-Athlete	New Hampshire
	Jacques Bouquot	Student-Athlete	Vermont
	Marshall Warren	Student-Athlete	Boston College
	Jeff Konya	Athletic Director	Northeastern
NCHC (M)	Paul Jerrard	Assistant Coach	Omaha
	Jasper Weatherby	Student-Athlete	North Dakota
NEWHA (W)	Tom O'Malley	Head Coach	Sacred Heart
	Sophia Burns	Student-Athlete	Saint Michael's
WCHA Women	Maura Crowell	Head Coach	Minnesota Duluth
	Tina Kampa	Student-Athlete	Bemidji State
WCHA Men	Terlynn Olds	Executive Senior Associate Director & SWA	Alaska
	Ayo Adeniye	Student-Athlete	Alabama Hunstville
Working Group Leadership	Jen Flowers	Commissioner	WCHA Women's League
	Steve Metcalf	Commissioner	Hockey East
	Josh Fenton	Commissioner	NCHC
	Kate McAfee	Associate Commissioner	Hockey East
	Mike Snee	Executive Director	College Hockey Inc.

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