Turn on your television, listen to the radio, read the newspaper, go to the gym or just stand by the water cooler and note that the subject of diversity in college sports is at the forefront of many discussions. There are articles, commentaries and often outlandish statements.

Schools have developed diversity committees, they've developed minority-hiring action plans, and they've hosted diversity seminars for coaching staffs, administrators and student-athletes. Yet, the latest race demographics numbers still paint a bleak picture for ethnic minorities in athletics administration.

Clarence Page, the well-known columnist, once said, "We Americans value our diversity, but we don't like to be reminded of it too much." However, as we continue to gauge the effects of affirmative action throughout the nation, we see race-blind policies that signal segregational shifts, we see disparities that persist in the number of minority professors vs. the number of minority students and we hear of the difficulty in recruiting minorities to top-level positions in the professional ranks. We also hear of the impact tougher eligibility rules might have in sports in which minority athletes participate, and we hear of universities doctoring photos to portray the campus as being diverse, and, of course, we hear of minority athletics administrators being in "short supply."

So now what do we do?

First, let's stop blaming each other for racism and other "isms." The color of someone's skin isn't important until you make it important. If someone is qualified to perform the duties of the job, then remove the hurdles and barriers and let every race get in the race.

Second, make every effort to provide the chance for a better collegiate experience for student-athletes of color. This is a monumental challenge and is not an easy task. Treating everyone equally doesn't mean that you are treating everyone fairly. Nor does treating everyone fairly mean that you are treating everyone equally. We have to find a way to celebrate difference without purposely segregating difference, unless the difference is welcomed by a culture, and even that is sometimes risky.

Third, stand up for all races and genders. On the playing field, at work, in church or at home, you be the person who stands up for what is right. Don't accept race or gender bashing, and don't allow it to be a part of any discussion. Structure programs and measure results.

Some argue that the situation for minorities in collegiate sport management has been even more dismal than for women. They say that for most sport management jobs, minorities simply aren't considered. In some cases, those doing the hiring aren't aware of qualified candidates, and other times they are ignoring them. Among those who want to expand opportunities for minorities in sport management, there seems to be general agreement that promising candidates must be actively recruited.

To the NCAA's credit, it is helping in that recruitment by establishing the Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males, an intensive year-long professional-development initiative that trains participants in the skill sets necessary to advance in athletics administration. The first class of participants "graduated" in August and the second began its training shortly thereafter.

The goal of the Institute is to address the critical shortage of senior-level ethnic minority males involved in campus and conference administration. The Institute is a model for any program looking to increase the pool of opportunities for ethnic minorities. Twenty-one committed ethnic minority males donned their caps and gowns, so to speak, and are now primed and poised to take on the challenges of being a leader in the athletics community.

Programs such as the Institute may at least be part of the solution to the dilemma. But here's the real question: Who will be standing in the reception line to embrace those graduates?

George Bright recently was promoted to associate director of athletics at Lafayette College after participating in the first NCAA Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males.