SAN DIEGO – Head Aztec men's soccer coach Ryan Hopkins has joined other college coaches across the nation in the formation of the "Clive Charles Diversity Hiring Initiative."
Formed by the Soccer Collective on Racial Equity (SCORE) and supported by the USLBPA, the initiative will create and increase pathways of entrance, advancement and representation for emerging and current Black soccer coaches. It is named in honor of Clive Charles, the late University of Portland and U.S. Soccer coach.
"I am relentlessly optimistic about the impact the Clive Charles Initiative will have on adding diversity to college soccer and also at the highest levels of the game, including MLS and U.S. Soccer," Hopkins explained. "Ultimately, what is most exciting is that the legacy of the initiative will be authored by those talented people, who receive the right support at the right time through the [CCI]."
The Clive Charles Initiative:
The Clive Charles Initiative (CCI) is an opt-in pledge by Division I men's soccer programs to include a Black group of candidates in the pool for coaching vacancies.
The CCI reflects a commitment to ensure equal opportunity in the hiring of coaches and to address the barriers that have faced underrepresented minority groups.
The 2021 CCI Charter Class: Sasho Cirovski – Maryland (B1G), Nick Carlin-Voight - Portland (WCC), Chaka Daley – Michigan (B1G), Terry Davila – Cal-State Northridge (Big West), Chris Gbandi - Northeastern (CAA), Leo Griffin – University of San Francisco (WCC), Kevin Grimes – Cal (Pac-12), Ryan Hopkins – San Diego State (Pac-12), Bobby Muus – Wake Forest (ACC), Bo Oshoniyi - Dartmouth (Ivy), Ray Reid - Connecticut (Big East)
1.0 - Programs will use best practice recommendations and interview at least one black candidate from the "Ready List" or a diverse candidate not currently employed by the program.
1.1 - Formal interview requests will be officially sent from the coach in writing to candidates. CCI will maintain interview records and reports.
1.2 - If the final decision-maker is involved in the beginning, or at any other time in the hiring process either formal or otherwise, he/she must be involved through the conclusion of the process. The final decision-makers must conduct interviews in similar platforms, venues and length of time.
1.3 - SCORE will prepare, maintain and update the "Ready List" of top candidates, and will distribute to coaches and administrators beginning May 1, 2021.
Clive Charles Initiative Implementation:
As part of its commitment to increase Black representation in soccer, SCORE will maintain a "Ready List" of Black men and women soccer coaches (and / or former players interested in coaching). College coaches and athletic departments that have committed to the Clive Charles Diversity initiative agree to interview at least one candidate from the SCORE list when positions in the school's soccer programs become open. At launch, 11 Division 1 men's college programs have partnered with SCORE on this initiative.
Clive Charles Bio:
Born in London, England in 1951, Clive Charles began his professional career in Europe before joining the Portland Timbers of the North American Soccer League in the late 1970s. Upon retirement, he moved back to Oregon and became the University of Portland's men's head coach in 1986 and the women's head coach in 1989. Combined, he led the Pilots to 20 NCAA playoff berths, 13 conference titles, nine College Cup appearances and one NCAA Championship. A seven-time West Coast Conference Coach of the Year, Charles also coached the U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team and the U.S. U-23 Men's National Team to a fourth-place finish at the 2000 Olympic Games. Sadly, he lost his battle with cancer in 2003.
Hopkins Joins Clive Charles Diversity Hiring Initiative
