Feb. 14, 2017

CLEVELAND - For the 11th year in a row, the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) has announced the recipients of its Diversity Initiative Program. Recipients receive Convention stipends to attend the 2017 NAADD Convention, as well as the Fundamentals of Athletic Development (FOAD) sessions, which will take place from June 12-15 at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Florida.

"On behalf of the NAADD Executive Committee, congratulations to all of our 2017 recipients! This talented group reaffirmed the immense value that this program brings to the membership of NAADD as we look to promote, celebrate, and identify the best minority and female candidates in the country," said NAADD 3rd Vice President Sarah Baumgartner, Deputy Director of Athletics at Rutgers University. "Our Diversity Initiative Committee did a tremendous job of planning and executing this year's program and we look forward to hosting the 2017 Diversity Initiative Class at Convention in June!"

The 2017 Diversity Initiative recipients are:

Rebecca Demeduk, Eastern Michigan University

Chamique Francis, Rutgers University

Krista Rammelsberg, University of Washington

Alicia Torimoto, Northwestern University

Bethany Thurston, Middle Tennessee State University

Kristen Linderoth, Lehigh University

Michael Murray, University of Pennsylvania

Layne Doctson, Colorado State University

Bryson Young, The Citadel

Brian Clark, University of South Florida

Jarred Clarkson, Louisiana State University

Jennifer Brazelton, Kennesaw State University

Morgan Morris, University of Cincinnati

Ronald Davis, Lynn University

Kristi Schneider, University of Oregon

Rickie Alvarez, Texas Tech University

Esteban Arriola, Ohio University

Adam Farrish, Texas State University

Gina Dacy, University of Indianapolis

Maurita Toler, University of California

Kelsey Kearney, Western Carolina University

Andrew Thomas, University of Texas at El Paso

Alicia English, University of Tennessee

Sara Cerulle, Long Beach State University

Natasha Sanders, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Katie Tuller, Boise State University

Brandon McCladdie, University of Virginia

Carol Vergis, Duke University

Katie Britton, Valparaiso University

Michael Garrett, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Willie Bradley, University of Puget Sound

Jessica Jones, Northern Michigan University

Rebecca McCaulley, Oregon State University

Karen Whalen, Wesleyan University

Marie Muhvic, Fairfield University

Jason Singleton, The Ohio State University

Janet Wilson, Austin Peay State University

About NAADD: NAADD is the first organization of its kind to provide educational and networking opportunities, enhancement of acceptable operating standards and ethics, and establishment of the overall prestige and understanding of the profession of athletics development and fund raising. For more information about NAADD, please visit www.naadd.com. NAADD is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 52nd year. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.