UNO hockey coach Jerrard aims to make sport more inclusive, more diverse | News

Paul Jerrard, the hockey coach for UNO Mavericks assistants, is one of a small number of black coaches in the NCAA and is using his position to promote initiatives for diversity and inclusion in the sport.

Jerrard grew up playing hockey in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He continued to play at Lake Superior State University before continuing to skate at the lower league level in the IHL’s Colorado Rangers. He reached NHL level with the Minnesota North Stars for a short stint before returning to the minors. He played for minors on various IHL teams during his final player career.

The end of a player’s career marked the beginning of his life as a coach. Jerrard worked as an assistant coach in college hockey for the first four years before joining the coach’s professional teams. He would not return to the university hockey coach until he was offered the position of assistant coach at UNO in 2018.

As one of the few black coaches in college hockey, Jerrard considered it important to support what made hockey a more diverse sport for future players. That’s why he started participating in an initiative called College Hockey for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (or # CollegeHockey4DEI).

“College Hockey 4DEI is a group of players, coaches and administrators from all over the US College of Hockey. We are a group committed to making college hockey a safe place that respects everyone’s individual differences,” Jerrard said.

Jerrard’s role in College 4DEI is a spokesperson for UNO and the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) to help spread the word. To help today’s youth and the players he interacts with, he helps educate them on topics related to diversity, equality, and equality.

“I hope they take what they learn and they become better people when they leave our program,” Jerrard said.

Jerrard’s priority has been to carry out the mission of College Hockey 4DEI for his team at UNO. For example, after George Floyd was assassinated in police custody, he had an extensive discussion with his team about the importance of increasing people’s diversity.

“We have embraced the motto of‘ collaborating and competing ’, which simply says that we respect individual differences and work together regardless of them in our competitive environment,” Jerrard said.

“I’ve also had several side conversations with players who have talked about the adversities that colored players have had to fight,” Jerrard said. “I also share many stories of the adversities I’ve faced growing up in Caucasian sports.”

Jerrard wants to convey to other BIPOC coaches coming into the profession: never give up on your dreams. If you want, go after him, he says.

“I did it and I’m living proof that anything can happen if you own yourself and put your mind to it,” Jerrard said.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time with College Hockey 4DEI,” Jerrard said. “It’s been a great place to share stories, meet new people and plan how we’re going to make an impact, and tell the world that College Hockey is a safe and inviting environment for everyone.”

College Hockey for Diversity, Fairness and Inclusion is dedicated to creating positive cultural change of its kind through communication, education, alliance and advocacy.