In response to Dennis Thomas' guest editorial in the April 24 issue of The NCAA News ("Hiring for diversity is a matter of commitment"), I would like to add some personal insight.

I am an African-American woman with 13 years of intercollegiate athletics experience. I have been seeking employment in athletics administration for the past 2 1/2 years. Last spring and summer, I applied for more than 30 positions in athletics administration to no avail.

Of some of these positions, I made inquiries as to why I was not granted an interview. The answers were familiar ones: "We found someone better for the position," "We found someone with the qualifications we wanted."

I even have put the "comfort-zone" theory to the test. I invested a substantial amount of time and finances into breaking down these perceived barriers of discomfort with an athletics director I wanted to work with. This approach, however, was viewed as a form of harassment and my interest in employment was not taken seriously.

I agree with Mr. Thomas that diversity must be a priority. I am anguished to think of what other African-American men and women have experienced and will experience if those in hiring positions continue to resist change. Diversity is not just a word for play -- it is an action of reality.

C. Bonnie Everhart
Columbus, Ohio