Aiko Jones Named President of S.C.O.R.E.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- University of Louisville volleyball player Aiko Jones has been named president of the student organization S.C.O.R.E. (Student-Athletes of Color Combining Opportunity and Responsibility for Excellence) for the second straight year.

"Being asked to represent the powerful student-athletes that I get to work with every day is an honor I hold close to my heart, and one I will never take for granted," said Jones.

Student-Athletes of Color Combining Opportunity and Responsibility for Excellence (S.C.O.R.E.) was created to provide resources and support for minority student-athletes at the University of Louisville. The enrichment program and Recognized Student Organization on campus, is available to all student-athletes that participate in our 21 intercollegiate athletic teams. The organization is designed to address several key obstacles that student-athletes of color face at predominantly white institutions and to emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion initiatives.

"This year, my aim is for S.C.O.R.E. to help athletes embrace their different identities and truly realize the power they have to better the world around them. There is no better time for that than right now," said Jones.

S.C.O.R.E. creates a balance between academics and athletics, promotes cultural diversity by sponsoring minority services, provides peer and professional networks, and aims to improve the overall experience of minority student-athletes. Student-athletes are able to enhance their leadership skills through monthly programming and/or serve on the advisory board. Opportunities are also created to bridge the gap between athletics and other campus departments.

Jones is a three-year starter for the No. 2-ranked UofL volleyball team that is currently 20-0. As a freshman, she led Louisville to its first-ever Elite Eight appearance. In 2020, she was named First Team All-ACC and was an ACC Player of the Week. She was named to the AVCA All-East Region's first team. She played in all 61 sets and started in all 18 matches.

"Aiko's leadership was crucial and centered around amplifying the voices of the black student-athletes to create a community where they feel valued which is the whole purpose of the S.C.O.R.E program. She served as a facilitator for the social justice town halls and actively played a part in determining programming that her fellow student-athletes would enjoy and were necessary," said UofL advisor Kamari Wooten.

University of Louisville Athletics

Players Mentioned

Aiko Jones

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