USA Ultimate and USRowing Receive DE&I Awards

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee awarded USA Ultimate and USRowing with the 2024 DE&I Choice Awards for excellence in diversity, equity and inclusion practices during a reception at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Assembly in Colorado Springs.

Created in 2015, the award identifies two NGBs annually for the creation of DE&I best practices. Finalists are determined by the USOPC DE&I Advisory Council and winners are selected by a vote open to 61 national governing bodies of amateur sport and other USOPC Recognized Sports Organizations.

In the category of NGB’s with less than $10 million of annual revenue, USA Ultimate was nominated as a finalist alongside USA Speed Skating and USA Taekwondo. USRowing was awarded in the $10 Million-plus category for its United We Row Grant Program ahead of fellow finalists USA Basketball and USA Water Polo.

USA Ultimate was recognized for its efforts to bring ultimate to a younger and more diverse population in local communities through a partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. As part of the program, USA Ultimate provides educational resources to local BGCA clubs interested in implementing ultimate into their programming. Clubs are eligible to receive free equipment and teaching materials. As a result, more than 50 BGCA clubs across the country have introduced ultimate to more than 3,000 kids since March.

“We’re humbled and honored to receive this award and thankful for all those that have been so invested in the Verified Provider Program – Boys & Girls Clubs of America, local disc organizations and the kids who pick up a disc and try ultimate for the first time,” said Gervon Williams, USA Ultimate manager of DEI and youth engagement. “It’s been wonderful to hear from club leaders and staff on the ground who are seeing an increase in the number of kids that are becoming active in their clubs after introducing ultimate.”

USRowing’s United We Row initiative focuses on supporting rowing programs, coaches, athletes and anyone interested in advancing the sport of rowing to diversify and grow their programs. Nine grants totaling $70,000 were handed out this past year to clubs working to make rowing more accessible to their communities.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the USOPC and our fellow NGBs for the work we are doing with United We Row,” said Amanda Kraus, chief executive officer of USRowing. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our entire team and community, and it inspires us to continue pushing to make rowing more diverse and accessible to everyone.”