GORHAM, Maine  – If you happen to venture into the USM Ice Arena located on the Gorham Campus of the University of Southern Maine, more than likely you'd be greeted with a flurry of activity (especially in pre-COVID times). From Huskies' ice hockey practices and games, men's league contests, students studying or lounging in the reception area, youth practices and tournaments, Skate with the Huskies - and if the occasion arose you could snag a soft pretzel from the concession stand.

Also housed within this busy corridor of the USM Athletic facilities is the Alumni Reception Center -  a space for team and Athletic Department meetings, special guest speakers, department trainings and event receptions, including Town of Gorham Night Festivities and Senior Day Celebrations. The Alumni Reception Center is a place of great pride for the Huskies' Athletic Department, showcasing the numerous national awards, coveted championship trophies, historical moments and celebrations of the nearly 100 year history of athletics and student-athlete success at the University of Southern Maine and its various predecessor institutions.  

Now included among the many tangible sources of Husky Pride are a colorful and diverse set of flags representing and celebrating the unique and diverse make-up of our University's nearly 500 student-athletes.  Ranging from the flags of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, Zambia, Canada, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Puerto Rico, United States of America, Finland, and Iraq there are 26 emblems representing the various cultures, heritages and identities of our Husky student-athletes proudly displayed for all to see.
The new flags are the first of what are sure to be several initiatives put forward from Huskies' SADIE (Student-Athlete Diversity, Inclusion & Equity) Committee – a newly established student-athlete organization.  Created in the Fall of 2020, Huskies' SADIE is dedicated to creating a community that values and prioritizes diversity, equity and inclusion, and is committed to listening to student-athlete's concerns surrounding social justice issues.

The idea for Huskies' SADIE followed a dialogue between the USM Department of Athletics and its student-athlete population, particularly our students of color, to ascertain and develop ways to help support USM student-athletes in the best way.  Working with Huskies' Athletics, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and the department's NCAA Diversity Representative and men's soccer coach Michael Keller, Huskies' SADIE is a group of motivated student-athletes who are moving the athletics community forward to make it a safe and equitable space for all student-athletes.

"These student-athletes are using their voices to aid the Athletic Department in creating a safe and equitable society for our athletic community," said Keller, who is serving as the student-organization's advisor. "I am impressed with the dedication, commitment and energy that this group has shown. Their first initiative, the flags, is just the beginning of this student-led plan to help drive the department ahead in respect to diversity, equity and inclusion."

Purchased by the Huskies' Department of Athletics, the 26 flags were selected after an inquiry into our student-athlete population to determine the various countries to be represented.  Led by student-athlete co-chairs Abedom Gebreyesus of the men's soccer team, Antoine Grace of the wrestling and men's track & field programs, and Sophie Lindsay of the women's track & field and volleyball teams, Huskies' SADIE nearly has representation from all 22 of the University's intercollegiate teams, and is open to all who wish to participate.

"Since the creation of Huskies' SADIE, athletics administration has been working closely with the members of this committee to listen and learn about their variety of experiences," said Al Bean, Director of Athletics.  "The students involved in Huskies' SADIE have made some strong recommendations to the leadership of our department.  Among those was a need for a clearer understanding of who are students are, and a genuine desire for greater awareness and understanding of the many different cultures represented by of our student-athlete population. I look forward to our continued work together, and to building a stronger community for all of our student-athletes and the University."

In addition to its co-chairs, Huskies' SADIE is led by its Social Media team of Ciera Berthiaume and Brooklyn Diaz of the women's soccer team, its SAAC Liaison Rona Scott of the softball team, and its Athletics Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Advisory Committee Liaison Hannah Gorham of the women's lacrosse team.  

"I'm really excited about each of the new initiatives this group is pushing forward," said Lindsay.  "The new flags look great and I can't wait to see the rest of our goals for this group to be accomplished."
For more information on Huskies' SADIE and its upcoming initiatives and meetings, follow along on Instagram at @huskies.sadie, and check out its landing page at southernmainehuskies.com under the student-athlete resources tab.