NFHS to Launch National Book Study in Fall 2022

January 28, 2022 by Seth Polansky, AZPreps365


INDIANAPOLIS, IN (January 28, 2022)— The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the national leader and advocate for high school athletics and performing arts programs, will launch a first-ever national book study in the fall of 2022 in support of its focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. 

The NFHS will work with its 51 member state associations, national DEI experts and authors of the book to involve individuals in the high school sports and performing arts community – students, parents, coaches, officials, athletic directors, school administrators and others – in this first-of-its-kind-initiative.

With the goal of gaining a better understanding of issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion, participants in this national initiative will be studying a book entitled, “From Athletics to Engineering: 8 Ways to Support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for All.”

Authors of the book are Johnnie Johnson, a former high school, collegiate and professional athlete, and Dr. Michael Webber, an educator and engineer, who use decades of experience in education, coaching, mentoring and leadership to suggest eight concepts to help in forward moving and sustaining programs that support diversity, equity and inclusion.

“As the national leadership organization for education-based high school sports and activities, the NFHS has the infrastructure to lead this national effort,” said Mautrice Meriweather, NFHS chief talent officer. “We are excited about this opportunity to impact individuals in our nation’s schools around this important and timely topic.”

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was one of five strategic priorities developed last year by the NFHS Strategic Planning Committee, which was composed of 17 state association executive directors/assistant directors representing all eight NFHS sections, and is included in the 2021-2025 NFHS Strategic Plan.

Regarding the DEI emphasis, the Strategic Plan states that “Addressing diversity, equity and inclusion through inclusive practices creates opportunities to improve the overall quality of the human experience.”

“We believe the opportunity to involve thousands of individuals in our nation’s schools in the study of this book dealing with diversity, equity and inclusion is exactly what our membership envisioned in formulating the Strategic Plan,” said Dr. Karissa Niehoff, NFHS chief executive officer.

The Strategic Plan further states that “Recognizing, inviting and embracing individual and organizational characteristics, values, beliefs, experiences, backgrounds and heathy behaviors are all powerful drivers for the NFHS to broaden and expand services and resources for all involved in education-based programs.”

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About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)

The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,000 high schools and 11 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 7.9 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Bruce Howard, 317-972-6900
Director of Publications and Communications
National Federation of State High School Associations
bhoward@nfhs.org

Chris Boone, 317-972-6900
Assistant Director of Publications and Communications
National Federation of State High School Associations
cboone@nfhs.org

Cody Porter, 317-972-6900
Manager of Media Relations
National Federation of State High School Associations
cporter@nfhs.org

Nate Perry, 317-972-6900
Coordinator of Media Relations
National Federation of State High School Associations
nperry@nfhs.org