Varnum and Norris Take part in Athlete Ally Athlete Activism Summit

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – As a part of Scarlet Knights For Life’s mission of experiential studying journeys, a duo of Rutgers student-athletes attended the 2026 Athlete Ally Athlete Activism Summit. Olivia Norris of the Women’s Track & Field program and Madilyn Varnum of Women’s Swimming & Diving attended the four-day gathering in early June within the Pocono Mountains, becoming a member of school student-athletes, coaches, and directors from throughout the nation.

The occasion was hosted by Athlete Ally, a nonprofit group whose goals are devoted to making sure that each individual has equal entry, alternative, and expertise in sports activities no matter sexual orientation, gender identification, or gender expression. The Athlete Activism Summit introduced collectively rising leaders to construct neighborhood, deepen data, and decide to tangible actions that broaden inclusion, allyship, and belonging on their campuses. Through workshops, keynote periods, and interactive panel discussions, individuals have been geared up with the instruments and management expertise essential to drive significant change inside their athletic applications.

The Summit was set in a camp surroundings and provided a bunch of programming periods in addition to neighborhood constructing actions whereas partaking with friends from throughout totally different sports activities and faculties. For Varnum, a local of Davidson, N.C., who simply accomplished her sophomore season as a Scarlet Knight diver, the summit was a really an empowering weekend of connection and dialog.

“Going into the Athlete Ally Athlete Activism Summit, I expected it to be a valuable networking experience at which I would build connections with other student athletes around the country. I did not, however, anticipate that it would end up being one of the most enjoyable weekends of my life or that I would come home with so many genuine friends. The sense of community that the summit fostered was truly special,” Varnum defined. It is tough to attach with different queer athletes at a faculty as giant as Rutgers, so having the ability to be surrounded by so many individuals that share the expertise of being an athlete within the LGBTQ+ neighborhood was unimaginable. We had conversations throughout every workshop and panel that, on the floor, appeared like they might be robust matters. But, because of the secure area that Athlete Ally created, all of us knew that we may converse freely and be susceptible with out judgment.”

Olivia Norris, who competes in javelin for the Scarlet Knights, attended the summit after her senior season as a collegian. The Fisher, Ind. native enjoyed her experience and also took away many important ideas to bring back to enrich her experience on campus.

“I had a tremendous time on the Athlete Activism Summit, the place I bought to satisfy so many pupil athletes and kind neighborhood with them,” Norris said. “I discovered a lot about activism and allyship for the LGBTQ+ neighborhood, which is extremely necessary in right this moment’s world. In addition to those studying experiences, it was very enjoyable to spend time within the Poconos the place we bought to have interaction in numerous tenting actions like mountaineering and archery with different student-athletes and get to attach with them. Madi and I met numerous nice pupil athletes who we glance to remain related with for a very long time. Overall, I had such a reworking and unforgettable time and I look ahead to probably attending once more quickly!”

After leaving the summit, the student-athletes identified a number of core tenants from her time there that she is eager to bring back to her upcoming years ‘On the Banks.’ The Rutgers’ duo learned from Athlete Ally staff and event co-hosts how they can help bring forward LGBTQ+ inclusion in and through sport through education and athlete activism to help create a collective impact.

“The unconditional acceptance demonstrated by everybody on the summit is one thing that actually caught with me and is one thing that I need to domesticate inside Rutgers Athletics and the broader pupil neighborhood,” Varnum declared. “I discovered rather a lot in talking with athletes from so many alternative faculties, sports activities, and states that broadened my perspective and made me notice simply how necessary the work of Athlete Ally is. I left the summit feeling very impressed, and motivated to take what I’ve discovered and implement it at Rutgers, ideally by way of the institution of an Athlete Ally chapter. The Athlete Activism Summit confirmed me that it’s doable to construct a neighborhood inside athletics that helps queer athletes and permits every of us to be authentically ourselves whereas excelling at sport, and I consider each athlete at each degree deserves to really feel that very same sense of belonging and assist inside their sport.”

“The panels and workshops have been nice to attend, Norris stated. “It inspired me with several ideas to bring back to campus to create an inclusive and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ student athletes. I even was able to network with other student athletes about their own ways they work to create these spaces at their own universities, which I also aim to bring back to Rutgers as well.”

 

Gallery: (6-23-2026) Athlete Ally Activism Summit