General | 1/19/2015 11:15:00 AM

Emporia, Kan. -- Emporia State Director of Athletics Kent Weiser lives Emporia State's commitment to diversity, inclusion and gender equity among its student-athletes, coaches and administrators. This commitment led to his being awarded the 2014 Emporia State Presidential Award for Distinguished Service to Diversity. The annual award recognizes those at Emporia State who demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

"I am honored to receive this award and accept it on behalf of the entire Emporia State Athletics Department," said Weiser. "I believe collegiate athletics provides the opportunity to concentrate on people's similarities rather than their differences. When people of different cultural and racial backgrounds focus on a common goal, great things can happen."

Weiser hired Emporia State's first head coach from China, volleyball coach Bing Xu in 2005. In 2011 he hired the first African American head men's basketball coach in the over 110 year history of Hornet basketball when he selected Shaun Vandiver out of a pool of nearly 140 formal candidates.

"Kent Weiser has not only an open mind, but an open heart - Kent doesn't see color but sees the quality of a person," said Vandiver. "That idea is visible across the Hornet Athletic Department and is a part of the culture of being a Hornet."

Emporia State has hired 15 minority coaches and 24 female coaches since Weiser became Athletic Director in the fall of 1999.

Kent's commitment to diversity, inclusion and gender equity among Emporia State student-athletes, coaches and administrators has been steadfast over his tenure," said Emporia State Senior Associate Athletic Director/SWA Carmen Leeds. " As a member of head coach search committees, I have witnessed the low percentage of minorities and women that apply for coaching positions.  He makes every effort to give these candidates a chance in the search process and is proactive in recruiting minorities and women to apply for job opportunities we have open."

On a national scale Weiser is a member of the NCAA Inclusion Advisory Group. The mission of the group is to study issues related to diversity and inclusion, and to make recommendations on Division II initiatives that would enhance the division's diversity. He has also served as a panelist and guest speaker at NCAA workshops geared toward helping minority males and females advance in their careers in athletic administration.

"During my 40 years in higher education, I have met many athletics administrators who have expressed a commitment to diversity," said MIAA Commissioner Dr. Bob Boerigter. "There are few who have actually 'walked the talk.' Kent Weiser is someone from within the athletics profession that has led by example.

Just six months into his position at Emporia State, Weiser applied for and was granted an NCAA Strategic Alliance Matching Grant.  This NCAA grant program was established to provide more opportunities in athletics administration for women and minorities. The next year he spearheaded the effort to add women's soccer as a varsity sport, increasing participation opportunities for women at the University for the first time in 20 years.

"Kent recognizes that life goes far beyond the playing field or the classroom, it's about personal lives and relationships, and he helps to instill that into our work environment and daily lives," said Emporia State softball coach Julie LeMaire. " Kent continuously goes above and beyond in supporting female athletics and I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work for him."

Under Weiser's leadership, the Hornets have consistently competed at the national level in NCAA Division II on the field, in the classroom and in the stands. His efforts led to the Hornets being named the most efficient athletic department in the MIAA by the Cost of College Sports over the years 2009-13. Weiser understands how collegiate athletics can help young people reach their potential.

"As a person and a leader, Kent has such a positive influence and sets a great example for us," said Emporia State volleyball coach Bing Xu. "He was a big believer in our taking the team to a trip to China in 2013."

One of the reasons for the success of Hornet Athletics over the the last 15 years has been Weiser's mutual respect of his coaches and staff, regardless of their backgrounds.

"Collegiate athletics has a unique position in society that can lead to the breaking of barriers," said Weiser. "We do our best to give people a chance to prove themselves through the commonality of competition more that anything else."