The Illinois Department of Intercollegiate Athletics earned a perfect Athletics Equality Index score of 100 for its inclusive LGBTQ initiatives from Athlete Ally, the department announced Friday.

Illini Athletics was one of eight schools to coin a perfect score out of all NCAA Power Five programs evaluated. According to a release, the Big Ten was the second-highest scoring conference with an 83.3 average. The announcement follows the creation of Illinois Athletic’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee during the 2016-17 academic year.

“We are pleased to be one of only eight institutions in the country to receive a perfect score on the recently released Athletic Equality Index,” said Director of Athletics Josh Whitman in an Illinois Athletics release. “Much more important, however, is what the score reflects, which is our athletic program’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. We take great pride in creating an environment within Illinois Athletics that is welcoming to all. Our inclusive culture is a critical component of our unifying mission, and our resulting diversity must remain a strength. Because of these values, our people are happier and more fulfilled, our ideas more creative and insightful, and our organization more successful.”

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