The West Coast Conference on Monday became the first Division I league to implement a policy requiring schools to include a minority finalist for job openings in athletics.

Endorsed by 11-time NBA champion Bill Russell, “The Russell Rule” received unanimous approval from the league’s 10 presidents. The rule requires vacancies for athletic directors, senior administrators, head coaches or full-time assistant coaches to include a member of a “traditionally underrepresented community.”

University of San Diego president and chair of the WCC Presidents’ Council James T. Harris said in a press release the Russell Rule furthers the league’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The WCC honored Russell with this ruling because he is “a champion for change as a pioneer for social activism,” commissioner Gina Nevarez told ESPN. She said the conference has committed to “meaningful, lasting change” in taking steps to combat racial inequality and social injustice.

Put simply, “The Russell Rule” is the cornerstone of the WCC’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. The conference reiterated in a statement that it runs parallel with its “We are Committed to Change (WCC)” initiatives.

The statement also laid out some other visions the WCC has for the future. Among them were commitments to education, policy-making and an emphasis on civic education for student-athletes.

The release said the league held its first anti-racism, educational webinar on June 29, as it created this rule. The viewership from the session included over 500 student-athletes and 400 coaches and administrators. In addition, the conference will expand the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee to include representatives from all 10 institutions. This group will feature a student-athlete subcommittee with representatives from each member.

The Russell Rule goes further and includes a Civic Engagement Pledge to facilitate voter registration for student-athletes. Before each WCC game, the “We are Committed to Change” video message, featuring representatives from all 10 institutions, will play. The advocacy video will also play in WCC Network programs and digital platforms.

“It is my hope the West Coast Conference initiative will encourage other leagues and schools to make similar commitments,” Russell said in the league’s release. “We need to be intentional if we’re going to make real change for people of color in leadership positions in college athletics. I’m proud to assist the WCC and Commissioner Nevarez by endorsing this most important initiative.”