Cole Initiates SAISA Diversity and Inclusion Task Force

Photo taken 9/12/19

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.- Not only is Josh Cole a leader on the sailing team, he is also actively involved in many organizations on campus, including the secretary of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a member of the Athletic Diversity Action Committee, and a member of the Emergency Response Team (ECERT). Recently, he shifted his service to the conference level, spearheading the newly formed TIDE Task Force.

The Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity (TIDE) Task Force was recently formed by the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA). The group's goal is making college sailing a more inclusive and diverse community that respects and supports sailors of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. The movement to start TIDE was created by the New England Intercollegiate Sailing Association (NEISA) in response to the ongoing racial injustice in America. 

Sailing conferences across the country soon formed their respective TIDE Task Forces. After investigating, Cole found that no conference in the south had a task force, despite several SAISA sailors expressing interest in forming a group. That's when Cole was inspired to institute SAISA's TIDE.

After receiving advice from Cori Radtke, who helps oversee the ICSA TIDE and is the assistant coach at Bowdoin College (Maine), Cole enlisted the help of Tritons head coach, Greer Wattson. Wattson and Cole emailed all the head coaches of SAISA schools to announce the creation of SAISA's task force. 

He received interest from numerous schools, including two alumni, one from the University of South Florida and Eckerd alum Ainsley Parramore '20. Soon after, he got at least one representative per school, and the committee was officially formed. 

In addition to Cole, Eckerd sailors Brooks Jordan, Ava Schlottman, and Matthew Monts serve on the committee.

"The TIDE initiative put forth by the ICSA is long overdue. The fact that our very own Josh Cole is serving as the leader of this at our conference level is great on so many levels. Josh is a natural-born leader and has served as such on our team his whole time at Eckerd. He was able to rally together three of his younger teammates and one of our recent alums to bring more representation from our squad, but he is also encouraging and supporting others from our rival schools," said Wattson.  

Cole's initial mission was just to help create the conferences TIDE, but through his continuous efforts and dedication to the group, he now serves as SAISA TIDE Chair. 

"I want to help make sailing a sport that is accessible to everyone, and a sport that people won't feel intimidated to try. I understand the pressure of learning, and when that pressure is increased due to someone's race, gender, sexuality, economic status, etc., it makes it all the more difficult to attempt," expressed Cole. "I believe it is up to everyone to work towards moving forward, and that won't happen without the proper guidance; that's what we're trying to do." 

TIDE's main focus areas this year are education & resources, data generation, policy & regulations, recruitment & marketing, and outreach. Their first task is to survey over 2,000 college sailors to gather their demographic information. TIDE has also held a series of Town Halls and Speaker Series.

Among TIDE members, two affinity groups have formed a safe space to talk and collect feedback for the larger task force. The affinity groups are for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ sailors. 

"Josh is involved with many different groups and clubs on campus and wants everyone around him to succeed. I'm excited to see what TIDE can do to bridge the diversity gap in college sailing," added Wattson.  

Cole attends multiple meetings every month in his efforts with TIDE. He alternates his meetings every week between the ICSA and SAISA and a meeting with an education group every week.