Bilal Salaam, a 2006 and 2024 Kutztown University alumnus, stepped into his new role as the diversity and inclusion officer for Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreational Services in 2021.
Salaam returned to his alma mater as an assistant men's basketball coach in 2017 following a 12-year professional playing career that included stops in Argentina, China, Finland, Mexico, Morocco, Qatar, Sweden and Switzerland. He served the Golden Bears in that capacity up until his appointment as the diversity & inclusion officer.
Upon his arrival back in the states, Salaam worked with a behavioral health organization based in Chester County, assisting and supporting adolescents in numerous life-skills areas. His coaching position at KU coincided with a professional move back to Berks County when he joined Justice Works Youth Care as a family resource specialist in October, 2017. After nearly three years in that role, Salaam took a position as an income maintenance caseworker with the Berks County Assistance Office in April 2019.
Salaam's role at KU grew in June 2020, when he was selected to chair the Athletics Diversity Committee.
Among Salaam's duties are advising the administration on all diversity matters within the division, overseeing personnel searches to ensure the recruitment of diverse candidates for all positions, grant submissions for minority administration and coaching positions through the NCAA and other organizations, leading the athletics diversity committee, serving as the department liaison to all diversity and inclusion offices on campus, assisting coaches in the recruitment and retention of diverse student-athletes and coordinating annual diversity and inclusion training and education opportunities.
A standout on the men's basketball team at KU from 2001-05, Salaam was a four-time All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division selection and the 2004-05 PSAC East Athlete of the Year. He is the program's all-time leader in rebounds (980) and blocked shots (408), and also holds the PSAC record for blocks in a career. Salaam, originally from Wilmington, Del., ranks ninth in free throws made (313), 10th in scoring (1,342 points) and 10th in field goals made (487) among KU's career leaders.
Salaam received his Bachelor of Science in leisure and sport studies from KU in 2006, earned his master's degree from KU in 2024 and was inducted into the KU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.
He and wife, Zabrina, currently reside in Reading, Pa., with their two children, Rashan and Nyla.
Updated 6/10/24
