COLUMBUS, Ohio – In Capital University Athletics' ongoing effort to better support its student-athletes, Interim Director of Athletics and Recreation Dixie Jeffers has announced that Assistant Men's Basketball Coach Anthony Gholson has been appointed as the department's Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee (ADID).

Gholson, now in his eighth season as a member of the Capital staff, will add this role to his existing responsibilities as assistant men's basketball coach.

"I have watched Anthony grow as a person and coach over the last several years. He is very connected with our student-athletes and is always engaging them in conversations. His commitment to bettering Capital and our student-athletes is just what we need in this role," said Jeffers. "We hope his impact in this position will help us begin to bridge gaps that have existed in the past and improve engagement and communication so that we can all thrive, together."

I'm honored and excited to be asked to assist the athletic department and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in continuing the work done by Keith Rucker," said Gholson. "It will be very important moving forward to design thoughtful initiatives that will help develop diversity in the athletic department, as well as the entire campus, for students, faculty and staff."

The ADID serves as the primary contact for information related to initiatives, programming and resources from the NCAA, specifically from diversity-related committees and the NCAA office of inclusion. The ADID will receive and disseminate and share diversity and inclusion-related information (resources intended to support a member's ability to establish and maintain an environment that values cultural diversity and gender equity among its student-athletes and intercollegiate athletics department and conference office staff) as well as keep the director of athletics and other senior administrators informed on related issues.

Gholson will collaborate with Capital University's Office of Diversity and Inclusion to communicate and address the needs and concerns of student-athletes of color and multicultural backgrounds. In this role, Gholson will have the ability to serve as a mentor to students in need, help first-year students transition into campus life, support students navigating social and academic issues, as well as assist in educational efforts for both students and athletic department staff.

Discussions around creating the ADID position on campuses and in conference offices were brought forth in 2018 by the NCAA's Minority and Opportunities and Interests Committee. The policy, which was approved by Divisions I, II and III at the NCAA Convention in January, took effect August 1, 2020.

In eight seasons as an assistant, Capital players have been granted 15 all-conference awards and three all-region selections. The 2018-19 was magical after the Crusaders advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, led by athletic and Academic All-American and OAC Player of the Year Austin Schreck '19.
 

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