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Courtesy of NCAA Media Center--
The NCAA and the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association — an affiliate of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics — have announced the 2026 NCAA/MOAA Opportunities and Impact Award recipients.
The award recognizes and celebrates the initiatives, programs and efforts of athletics departments and conference offices in Divisions I, II and III that embrace environments of belonging and well-being and elevate the student-athlete voice in intercollegiate athletics communities. NCAA and MOAA representatives will present the awards June 7-10 in Las Vegas during the MOAA Symposium.
This year's divisional award recipients are the Big Ten Conference, Saint Michael's athletics department and Occidental athletics department.
"This honor is an acknowledgment of NCAA member schools and conference offices that intentionally create spaces and opportunities for all student-athletes, coaches and administrators to feel seen, heard and valued," said Felicia Martin, NCAA senior vice president of inclusion, education and community engagement. "It is important to recognize these outstanding recipients who diligently embrace a commitment to positively impact their athletic communities and make a significant difference for all humanity."
"Congratulations to this year's recipients," said Timothy Wise, MOAA president and assistant general manager at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. "The outstanding work by the winners showcases the commitment to providing opportunities in the ever-changing landscape and making a significant impact on their campus and in conference communities. Each of the winners is worthy of this honor, and MOAA looks forward to partnering with the NCAA to recognize these achievements at the 2026 MOAA Symposium in June."
Occidental athletics department — Division III
Occidental's athletics department has been a beacon for sustaining a student-centered commitment that fosters belonging and amplifies student-athlete voices. It also embeds justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, concepts collectively known as JEDI, into the athlete experience. Athletics created a framework that allows student-athletes, administrators and coaches spaces for meaningful dialogue, programming and partnerships that help build a collaborative, responsible culture.
Occidental athletics' guiding principle, "One Tiger, Many Stripes," is recognized during events and meetings. Athletes have the opportunity to sign a pledge tied to the principle that affirms standards of respect, inclusion and care within teams and across athletics. Other examples include the JEDI Conversation Starters, which involve discussions that connect sport, personal identity and lived experiences. These conversations may not naturally occur in locker rooms or day-to-day interactions and allow deeper understanding, trust and connections across teams.
In addition to programs, speaker series and other impactful initiatives, Occidental's leadership also encourages work with university campus offices and programs. One such collaboration involves the JEDI student-athlete committee and the campus Project SAFE office. During Empowerment Week, the two joined efforts to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Efforts also work to normalize student-athlete involvement in campus advocacy spaces and strengthen trust and visibility between athletics and the wider campus.
"We are deeply honored to be selected for the 2026 NCAA/MOAA Opportunities and Impact Award," said Cori Vallembois, Occidental assistant athletics director and coordinator of JEDI programming. "This recognition reflects the steady, intentional work our department has done to create an environment where our student-athletes feel heard, supported and valued for exactly who they are. I am especially grateful for the consistent leadership and trust of our director of athletics, Shanda Ness, whose support makes my work possible. But most importantly, this honor belongs to the student-athletes — past and present — who serve/have served on our JEDI Committee and continue to lead with honesty, courage and care for one another. Their willingness to engage in meaningful conversations and lean into difficult moments is what continues to shape the culture of Oxy athletics."
"This honor belongs to the entire Oxy athletics team that is deeply committed to making a difference and creating an athletics department that is inclusive and supportive of all student-athletes," Ness said. "Cori has done a great job of providing intentional opportunities for our staff and student-athletes to continue to grow in this area. I am proud of the work we have done and look forward to what comes next."
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