Justus White selected to attend NCAA Immersion Program

After being selected from a pool of hundreds of applicants, St. John’s junior Justus White attended the NCAA’s Division III Immersion Program in San Antonio over Jan. 11-14. According to White, the program is targeted at Division III athletes all over the country who identify as an ethnic minority with the goal of working in the athletic field one day. White hopes to eventually work as a sports psychologist, but he met others working towards careers in athletic training, athletic administration and coaching.

“The world of sports is not the most receptive to minorities,” White said. “There is a lack of representation within administration for minorities who understand first-hand the experience that goes into being a minority trying to balance college athletics.”

As one of just 40 students selected from an application pool of hundreds, White found out about the program through his coaching methods instructor and men’s head track and field coach Jeremy Karger-Gatzow.

“They often try to pick juniors and seniors… but anyone who has a strong desire to work in sports and a desire to make a change in the equity and inclusivity in athletics could be selected,” White said.

During his four days in Texas, White was able to attend different presentations and connect with various athletic directors and people working in the field.

“I got to meet with the NCAA Division III equity and inclusion president and vice president, and as equity is something that is extremely important to me, being able to speak with them and building those connections held a lot of meaning, especially knowing they are the people that help make sports for people like me accessible and affirming,” White said.

Furthermore, White had the chance to attend the NCAA’s One Team award ceremony. The One Team program is supposed to help provide peer-driven LGBTQ+ support, education and resources to Division III schools, according to the NCAA website. Prior to attending the Immersion Program in January, White had heard very little about One Team.

“Hearing the stories about the personal experiences of administrators and athletes and how validating it was for them really touched my heart,” White said. “My mentor during the program was the recipient for LGBTQ+ Administrator of the Year, which made me feel both honored and validated that the staff were so intentional about making sure that I was comfortable and had someone in my community, which is really the purpose of the program.”

White says that if given the chance, he would strongly recommend this program to any student who is interested in pursuing a career within sports and athletics.

“I was allowed to be my open, authentic self, and I was admired for the authenticity. It also allowed me to see how there is a place for myself and people like me within this community. I want to help others feel as validated as I got the chance to feel,” White said.