'Russell Rule': West Coast Conference institutes new rule to increase diversity
FILE - Bill Russell has endorsed the West Coast Conference's new rule aimed at increasing diversity when hiring for key positions. (Photo by Ricardo B. Brazziell-Pool/Getty Images)
SAN BRUNO, Calif. - The West Coast Conference announced Monday it is implementing a new rule aimed at increasing diversity when hiring for key positions.
They call it the "Russell Rule", named after former the University of San Francisco and Boston Celtics star Bill Russell. The announcement marks the first Division 1 league to require schools to include a minority candidate for jobs in athletic departments.
Under the new rule, each school in the conference must include a member of a traditionally underrepresented community in the group of final candidates for every athletic director, senior administrator, head coach, and full-time assistant coach position in the athletic department.
The 11-time NBA champion Russell applauded Commissioner Gloria Nevarez for implementing the rule and confirmed his assistance moving forward.
"It is my hope the West Coast Conference initiative will encourage other leagues and schools to make similar commitments," said Russell, in the league's release. "We need to be intentional if we're going to make real change for people of color in leadership positions in college athletics. I'm proud to assist the WCC and Commissioner Nevarez by endorsing this most important initiative."
The Russell Rule is part of a series of initiatives implement under the conference's "We are Committed to Change" platform. series of initiatives implemented under the “We are Committed to Change” platform.