PacWest Release

Newport Beach, CA – Academy of Art University has been selected as the recipient of the 2014 PacWest Diversity Award for the student-athletes' efforts towards inclusion in the university and local community.

The PacWest Diversity Award is given to an institution that through its community engagement activities shows a commitment to diversity and inclusivity by creation/sponsoring/participating in programming that embraces and celebrates those within the University's community who are underrepresented. Further, the Diversity Award goes to the institution whose student-athletes are integrated into the student body as a whole.

"The PacWest Diversity Award was developed to showcase the outstanding community service initiatives of our schools and there is no more fitting honoree this year than Academy of Art," said PacWest Assistant Commissioner, Compliance/Senior Women's Administrator Jane Teixeira. "The Urban Knights captured the true nature of this award by connecting with a wide-range of people in the community and on campus."

For the 2013-14 academic year, Academy of Art focused on strengthening the community within its unique urban campus in the heart of San Francisco. The athletics department and student-athletes wanted to build tradition, pride and unity by involving campus and community groups in events, making everyone Urban Knights.

ART U hosted special events before and after games, including barbecues and kickball tournaments, to enhance the overall experience of supporting the Urban Knights. Embracing the distinctive student body of an art school, illustration and photography majors attended a basketball doubleheader to capture the action live and share their work both in the arena and through social media.

The Urban Knights were also active in the local community, taking time from their very busy schedules to aid the diverse San Francisco area. The men's and women's soccer teams volunteered as referees at local youth soccer games, in partnership with America SCORES. The women's basketball and softball teams helped instruct at the Girl's in Sports Basketball Play Day at the Hamilton Rec Center. The men's soccer team started the spring semester by serving meals to the homeless at the Glide Memorial Church. 

Holy Names and Point Loma won the inaugural Diversity Award last year.