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USL Names Christopher Busey Vice President of DEI and Community Impact

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 02/16/23, 11:00AM EST

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TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League is excited to announce today that Christopher Busey, PhD, has been named Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Impact. Beginning in mid-March, Busey will work across the USL ecosystem to develop, execute, and amplify the organization’s diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and community initiatives, both internally and externally.

Busey brings 10 years of experience in researching and implementing equity-oriented solutions in higher education and sports. Most recently serving as a tenured associate professor at the University of Florida’s Center for Latin American Studies and School of Teaching and Learning, Busey conducted transformative DEI research, built innovative community partnerships, and improved organizational culture for stakeholders at all levels. He previously held assistant professor positions at Kent State University and Texas State University.

In addition to his academic work, Busey is CEO & founder of Level Field Sports, a research consulting firm focused on identifying and addressing barriers of entry to sports participation and coaching. He is a member of the United Soccer Coaches and a USSF licensed youth club soccer coach. Within the United Soccer Coaches, Busey is a member of the Black Coaches Advocacy Group and he recently began working with colleagues to build empirical insights that demonstrate how inequity continues to impact access to the game for Black coaches and youth at all levels and identify potential solutions to those structural barriers.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Busey to the USL because he is proven thought leader and positive change agent with an unwavering commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and access,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis. “The USL and our clubs are dedicated to having a real impact in the community, and Chris’s expertise, accomplishments and reputation will bolster these efforts even more. And it’s a tremendous bonus that he already shares our passion for soccer.”

Busey holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Arts in Social Science education, both from the University of Central Florida, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Mass Communications from the University of Florida. He has published more than 20 scholarly manuscripts, served as an invited keynote or panelist in numerous venues both domestically and internationally, and received multiple grants in his field.  He has also provided thought leadership for articles in public outlets such as TIME Magazine, NBC News, and Orlando Sentinel. In 2020, the University of Florida honored Busey with a college-wide Diversity and Inclusion Award and a Superior Accomplishment Award for his contributions to DEI across the university and local community.

“As a lifelong soccer fan, I look forward to combining my personal passion and my professional expertise to build on the USL’s culture of inclusivity,” Busey said. “We have the opportunity to establish and maintain programs, policies, and relationships that foster sustainable, equitable excellence and to have a tangible impact in so many communities. As the USL continues to shape the future of soccer in the United States, we want to ensure that it reflects and celebrates the diversity of both our country and the global game.” 

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