Sixth Annual Swimsuit Issue
Scot t is
Hot t!
Campus
Pride’s
The Cotton Collection By Cover Male CM501 Boxer $24.00 3Pack www.covermale.com
May 2012
FOUNDERS CEO/Publisher/Sales Eric Carlyle • eric@mediaoutloud.com
Volume 6, Issue 4
CIO/Publisher/Website Production David Riach • david@mediaoutloud.com
14 Sizzlin’
Summer Swimsuits 11
Olympic Facts Not Told on the Telly
24
How to Win Like Lin
26
Top 10 Safe Campuses for LGBT Athletes KICK–OFF 6 Editor Letters 8 Fan Mail/
VP & Associate Publisher Connie Wardman • connie@mediaoutloud.com COMPETE MAGAZINE Ally Editor Matthew Fish • matt@mediaoutloud.com Community Editor Ty Nolan • ty@mediaoutloud.com Art Director Jay Gelnett • jay@mediaoutloud.com Contributors Bruce Ebert, Luis Garcia, Michael Holtz, Jeff Kagan, Lisa Mansfield, Brian Patrick, Ian Colgate, Bryce Carter, Miriam Latto, Shane Windmeyer Photographers Gregg Edelman, Don Thompson, William Waybourn COMPETENETWORK.COM Associate Editor Ty Nolan • ty@mediaoutloud.com Compete Radio Executive Producer Joe Dugandzic • joe@qtalkaz.com Social Media Chris Lembke • socialmedia@mediaoutloud.com COMPETE SALES & PARTNERSHIPS (ALL BRANDS) Media Sales Executives Tyler Skarda, Director • tyler@mediaoutloud.com Copyright 2012 MEDIA OUT LOUD, LLC 4703 South Lakeshore Drive, Suite 3 Tempe, Arizona 85282 P 480.222.4223 • F 480.889.5513 Compete is a trademark of Media Out Loud, LLC Mission Statement: Compete unites the gay and straight communities through sports.
Compete Blog 10 Intangibles
www.competenetwork.com
Overtime
@competesports
36 Events 38 Yearbook
www.facebook.com/competemag
Cover Photo by Joseph Smileuske
Please note: As a cost cutting measure and to protect our environment this month’s issue has been sent to you without a poly cover.
FROM THE SKYBOX BY ERIC CARLYLE, Co-Founder
The Sixth Time’s the Charm This issue marks the sixth time Compete has produced it’s Annual Swimsuit Issue. In fact, it was back in July of 2007 that we launched this magazine with amateur athletes from Dallas gracing the cover clad only in their swimsuits and “smiles.” I promised you that I’d be announcing some changes at Compete by the debut of this issue and holding true to my promise, I want to fill you in now. •
True to our tagline, Compete is gay sports. But we are a lot more than that—we are a reflection of our readers. This is your chance to tell us who you are. Are you women’s sports? Are you running sports? Are you transgender sports? Whatever you are, tell us. Remember, we produce Compete for you. Check out our Editors’ Letters on page 6 to read more.
•
While we’ve been running a long race the past five plus years, we’ve now cleared many hurdles. We’ll be re-launching the sale of Compete at more locations nationwide as we’ve already begun offering the magazine at fewer free pick-up locations. Additionally, we’ve launched our digital issue online and we’ll be launching our tablet and smart phone versions which will be available this summer. We plan to end our re-launch just in time for the NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series.
•
Compete Radio is back! Now in our third season, I think you will enjoy the new cast. Mike D’Antonio from the east coast and Cathy Tomlin from the west coast host the best LGBT sports radio show around. Check out them out at qtalkamerica.com. And if we ask Mike and Cathy, I think they’ll definitely say they are radio sports among other kinds of sports.
We are planning many new and exciting changes at Compete and over the next few months I’ll be bringing you more of them. So as they say in radio, stay tuned.
Eric Carlyle, CEO Eric@mediaoutloud.com www.CompeteNetwork.com
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Editor Letters
Matthew Fish Ally Editor
Who is Matt Fish?
E
ven though I have always believed in diversity and inclusion, when I first joined Compete I really didn’t feel like their tag line, “I am gay sports” applied to me. I did, however, feel several other descriptors—I genuinely felt like “I am diverse sports” or “I am global sports.” In reference to my Saturday afternoon pick-up games, maybe even “I am weekend sports.” But the more I’ve worked with the Compete team members and our readers, the more I’ve finally begun to feel like “I am gay sports.” I always realized that gay athletes needed to feel like they belonged to the larger group of sports lovers. But until now, I never thought about the fact that ally athletes who truly believe in inclusion also need to feel accepted by the gay community. What a revelation—I can’t figure out why it took me so long to come to that realization! And because of my Compete experiences, I now feel totally accepted by a community I never consciously considered being a part of just a few years ago. And that feels good. But are you gay sports? Maybe a better statement for you would be “I am coed sports” or “I am college sports.” Or who knows, maybe even “I am after-five, Monday through Friday sports.” There is no wrong answer here! In fact, if you are like me, you are many different types of sports. So if we meet at the grocery store, on the basketball court or at a gay pride event and you ask me if I am gay sports, I will tell you “I am gay sports”…and a whole lot more. So let me ask each one of you to fill in the blank—I am ____ sports. Let me know who you are. We’ll be sharing your answers to this as we move forward.
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Ty Nolan Community Editor
Who is Ty Nolan?
S
oon after joining the staff of Compete, I was involved in filming a commercial for Logo that introduced our new tagline, I am gay sports, with other employees and a number of community representatives from various sports. Our “star” was the 2010 Compete Athlete of the Year, Michael Holtz, who looked good both in and out of the water. We practiced our individual line of “I am gay sports” as well as doing a chorus of the last line, “Together, we are gay sports.” It was a great feeling of solidarity and I enjoyed meeting new friends in their various sports uniforms. Having been around for awhile and now serving as Community Editor, I’ve had a chance to work with some terrific people in the field. One of them is the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation’s (GLAAD) contact person for sports, Aaron McQuaid, a straight ally. We met recently in New York City and I mentioned how we’ve been expanding our motto as part of our continued commitment to use sports as a bridge between the straight and LGBT communities. I asked him how he saw the role of sports from his GLAAD vantage point. He explained that it’s not just about LGBT athletes—it’s about the importance of inclusion. The message isn’t just for teams, players and coaches/owners to provide a safe and supportive environment for athletes and staff to come out. They need to recognize that all sports fans must be acknowledged and accepted—including those from the LGBT community. For him, it’s not just the idea of inclusion because it’s the moral thing to do. He points out that it also makes good business sense. It means not alienating gay athletes and fans…or their relatives, friends, and loved ones. It’s about making people feel welcome, making them feel that they belong. So for today, I am inclusive sports. And to follow through with the rest of our prior marketing message: together, we are gay sports, and together, it definitely gets better!
Hear It From The Fans Letters to COMPETE Magazine
Missionary Position
Inspirational Speaker
I enjoyed reading your March issue, especially the article about your new editor. It seems Matt Fish really is a Man on a Mission. As more and more allies like Ben Cohen, Hudson Taylor, and now Matt Fish see me as an athlete first and a gay man second, the idea of sports equality appears more and more a possibility.
I really enjoyed your January issue, especially the Sports Diversity Award Winners. Diana Nyad’s story is not only inspirational but also incredible. You couldn’t have picked a better choice as your Inspiring Athlete Award. Congratulations, Diana!
Jason Bevins Las Vegas
David Cohn San Diego
When the Going Gets Tough…
It’s not fair that your 2011 Athlete of the Year, David Rae, is taken. I mean, it’s like they say, all the good ones are either straight or taken!
I picked up your March issue and was impressed by your CEO’s article, From the Sky Box. It was refreshing to see the boss admit that building Compete has had lots of challenges. It’s strange but wonderful to hear straight talk from a gay magazine.
Corey Vannaker Los Angeles
Daphne Berg Scottsdale, Arizona
Going, Going, Gone
COMPETE welcomes your feedback. Please submit letters to editor@mediaoutloud.com.
COMPETE RADIO
Sports Radio with a Twist (and a Bob) by Eric Carlyle
I
am happy to turn Compete Radio’s mic over to our two new co-hosts, Mike D’Antonio and Cathy Tomlin. I am a fan of radio. In fact, back in the late 1970s I remember that the television program, WKRP in Cincinnati, was considered groundbreaking with its sultry receptionist and quirky radio hosts. Flash forward 35 years and WKRP’s Jennifer Marlowe wouldn’t even be called sultry—she might even be called dowdy by today’s standards. So if it’s not WKRP, where does today’s radio listener find something truly groundbreaking? The
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answer is Compete Radio, the best in LGBT sports radio. I remember hot topics from last year’s shows, such as the question of transgendered athletes and their playing eligibility, a famous rugby player’s doggy love and even a unique description of wrestling holds (yikes—so true but so scary). Yes, those topics do appear to make Ms. Marlowe more than a bit passé. But with our new co-hosts, Compete Radio is more than just hot topics. It’s pioneering gay sports coverage with interviews of top athletes, celebrities and everyday people—gays and allies making a
big difference in sports equality. Because to be truly groundbreaking, a TV or radio show must make a difference. So tune in to hear Mike D’Antonio and Cathy Tomlin take the Compete mic along with surprise guests and a new rotating cast of reporters and critics alike on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on qtalkamerica.com. And for more details, check us out at competeradio.com. Let the fun begin! Eric Carlyle is the executive producer and a former co-host of Compete Radio. He’ll be sharing this column with D’Antonio and Tomlin.
Phoenix Pride would like to thank all if its sponsors who helped make this years festival and parade a success! 2012 SPONSORS:
QVEGAS.COM
Intangibles
THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE photo by Kevin Majoros
Team DC Top Model Selected Aaron Lee Smith was crowned top model at Team DC’s 8th Annual Team DC Fashion Show and Model Search. Held in March at Town Dance Boutique, the event featured fashions from Universal Gear, The Leather Rack, T. Christopher, Fireboy Underwear, Body Aware and Skiviez. The event raised over $9,000 to fund the Team DC College Scholarship and to help bring LGBT sports tournaments to the Washington D.C. area.
From the Compete Blogs
To get your daily fix of sports news please visit competenetwork.com/blogs
Hail and Farewell TO Pat Summitt
But let’s get back to Summitt’s coaching. She is listed as the winningest coach in NCAA basketball history and that includes both women’s and men’s teams in any division. During her tenure her teams have won eight NCAA national championships, second only to the record 10 titles won by legendary UCLA men’s coach
10 | COMPETE | May 2012
John Wooden. Since her start in 1974, she’s the only coach in the history of the NCAA (and overall, one of only three college coaches) with 1,000 victories. In fact, in her 38 years with the Lady Vols, Summitt has never had a losing season, just one of the reasons that her amazing list of awards include being named the Naismith Basketball Coach of the Century in 2000 and being listed as number 11 on the Sporting News list of the 50 Greatest Coaches of All Time in all sports in 2009, the only woman to make the list. Summitt, who remains as “coach emeritus” for Tennessee, is truly a superstar coach! But in spite of all the forward movement in women’s sports and the many positive videos by members of the LGBT community and their allies as part of the It Gets Better campaign, the plight of women coaches is not getting better; it’s getting worse. In the next issue of Compete we’ll be examining that phenomenon as part of a look at the 40th Anniversary of Title IX and how it has changed the face of women’s sports.
SPORTS QUIZ The first U.S. intercollegiate sporting event was a crew race that took place in 1852 between two well-known schools. Name these schools that went on to dominate college athletics for the rest of the nineteenth century. Answer: Harvard and Yale.
O
ne of our recent blogs addressed Pat Summitt who recently ended her legendary 38-year career as coach of the Lady Volunteers basketball program for the University of Tennessee. Everyone, including Compete, was filled with praise and admiration for her. That was not only for her coaching accomplishments but also for her courage in going public with the fact that she is battling dementia, something that triggered President Obama to award her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award possible. And Compete joins in sending her our heartiest congratulations for a job extremely well done and our very best wishes as she faces this next challenge in her life.
c i p lym
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by Ian
te
Colga
W
hile the BBC will broadcast all 5,000 hours of the 2012 Olympic Games in London, for those of you across the pond watching on NBC, you will only have access to 200 hours of it. But there are interesting back stories you won’t see on either network. These fascinating oddities are what give each Olympiad its special flavor. Here are a few of my favorites.
• In a near “blast from the past,” a live bomb from the WWII Nazi blitz was uncovered as workmen were working on the East London site meant for temporary basketball training courts. Work was temporarily halted while the police bomb unit cleared the site. • The British Olympic Association’s (BOA) chief medical officer advised British athletes not to shake hands with athletes from other countries so they won’t pick up a bug and wreck their Olympic dreams. It’s just bad form for the host athletes to skip that sign of mutual respect that the Olympics are meant to represent. Most Brits believe the purpose of the Olympics is based on our common humanity, not our common pathogens. • British Olympians are being given strict orders on personal behavior
by the BOA. They can’t criticize their teammates, bad mouth sponsors, attend press conferences not arranged by the BOA, bet on any event, skip the BOA post-Olympics party, and perhaps most important, they can’t sell or modify any of their Stella McCartney-designed team gear. Shocking—where will the pink feather boas go? Inquiring minds want to know!
• The organizing committee is looking for a few good men… who can dance. They also say that if, in addition to dancing, you can “also drum, or do any sport, job, or hobby that involves keeping to time,” you’re wanted for the cast for the opening and closing ceremonies. Takers, anyone? • A diversity and inclusion quiz for Games Makers (the name for Olympic volunteers) is being called patronizing. For example, if you can’t tell if a person asking for rest room directions is a man or woman, you are to select one of the following three answers: “Ask them politely if they are male or female,” “panic,” or “tell them where the male, female and handicapped-accessible toilets are.” • Can you say law suit? Mums with babies, including those not
conceived when their parents bought seats, must stay home based on rules set by the 2012 organizers. Parents who want to bring their children (including those who are breastfeeding) must have a ticket for the children even if the parents will be holding the infants in their laps. In a wise move, organizers have decided to review their policy. • No candid pictures? No juicy tweets? Games Makers have been given restrictions by the BOA on use of social media…no backstage details, no personal experiences or pictures with your favorite athlete. Can you say no happy campers? • Move over Nessie, you have a rival. Reports of a killer creature lurking close to the London Olympic site in the swampy waters of the River Lea are spooking sprinters and high jumpers in particular. One reporter claimed the “monster” was seen dragging a 16-pound Canada goose under the water. The monster has been potentially identified as a giant pike, mink, escaped pet python, alligator or a giant turtle. Get ready for the Opening Ceremony on Friday, July 27th. As they say in TV land, for all this and more, stay tuned—film at 11:00.
www.CompeteNetwork.com
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COMPETE MAGAZINE
by Bryce Carter Photos by Joseph Smileuske
Special thanks to Jeff Dorta and Project Publicity
Timoteo Matador Swim in White/Red/Black $38.00 80% Nylon/20%Spandex Available at www.Timoteo.net
Sixth Annual Swimsuit Issue
B
efore interviewing Scott Herman I had hoped I’d like him. After just a few minutes talking to him I knew I not only liked Scott, I admired him, too. Not only does his smokin’ body rock the pages of Compete’s 6th Annual Swimsuit Issue but Scott also rocks the world of online fitness. What I mean by that is Scott’s presence on YouTube, Facebook (115,000 likes and counting), and his popular website, ScottHermanFitness.com. Online, Scott offers vast amounts of information to would-be Brad Pitts and Angelina Jolies.
Whether you’re overweight or fit as a fiddle, Scott’s online information will help you build a better you. But what makes Scott so special is that he offers a lot of information for free. So even if you used your last elliptical as a clothes’ hanger, you have nothing to lose by visiting Scott online. His online Silver membership is just $4.99 a month. That’s a far cry from the $200 an hour some celebrity trainers charge. In fact, when I asked Scott what the goal of his online empire was, he said “I strive to make sure my Facebook page and website are fun places for everyone to learn and grow, regardless of his/her current fitness level.”
TEAMM8 Dais Strip Swim Short in Navy/Red $52.00 100% Polyester Available at www.LAJock.com
16 | COMPETE | May 2012
JAMES TUDOR Swim in navy/white $52.00 75% Nylon and 25% Elastane Available at www.LAJock.com
But just when you think Scott is too good to be true, well, there’s more. Team Scott Herman participates in the annual AIDS Lifecyle, a 545-mile bicycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles (June 3-9) to raise money to end HIV-AIDS. And Scott’s team raises a truckload of money for this important cause. So he helps people get fit AND he volunteers to raise money to end AIDS. I think that makes him a lot more than just a smokin’ body, eh?
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COMPETE MAGAZINE
Sixth Annual Swimsuit Issue Timoteo Matador Swim in White/Red/Black $38.00 80% Nylon/20%Spandex Available at www.Timoteo.net
Check out more photos of Scott at www.competenetwork.com/photos. You can also reach him by email at: Scott@ScottHermanFitness.com.
TEAMM8 Nations Swim Brief in Blue - Team USA $49.00 80% Nylon/20% Elastane Available at www.LAJock.com
22 | COMPETE | May 2012
GAME Tape
Book Review by Miriam Latto
Win Like Lin
A
re you a basketball junkie who loves the back stories of your professional basketball heroes? Do you always root for the underdog? Are you suffering from a case of Linsanity? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions then you’re sure to enjoy this latest book on NBA phenom, Jeremy Lin. Subtitled Finding Your Inner Linsanity on the Way to Breakout Success, it reveals the five principles Lin has used throughout his life that have helped him beat the odds in his less-than-conventional rise to the top in the NBA. Authored by award-winning sports writer Sean Deveney, the book breaks down Lin’s game plan for success so readers can use the same principles to create their own success stories: • Don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled. • Believe in your own ability. • Find the system that works best for you. • Focus on making the most of skills you already possess. • Rebound quickly from setbacks and learn from failure.
While it’s all interesting information, what really makes this a great read is Deveney’s years of sports reporting experience. He’s covered all the major sports for The Sporting News since 1999 with a focus on pro basketball, knowledge that definitely shows in this book. He’s a great storyteller, deftly weaving Lin’s background— Asian-American, religious, Harvard
24 | COMPETE | May 2012
graduate—with the exclusive observations of current top NBA figures, such as Steve Nash, Tyson Chandler, Landry Fields and Shawn Marion, into the series of serendipitous events that led to his breakthrough performance with the Knicks on February 4, 2012. The real question is whether the 23-year-old Lin can make a long-term career in the NBA or whether Linsanity is simply an exciting anomaly. Mike D’Antoni, the Knick’s coach whose pick-and-roll
play favored Lin’s style, has been replaced by assistant Mike Woodson who has changed the offense to a system that minimizes Lin’s playing style. Deveney paints a very realistic picture of how money dominates the game. So while Lin jokes about having played on three NBA teams and two D League teams in just the past year, he acknowledges that he will need to continue to improve as a player, especially now that his opponents are learning how to defend against him.
LGBT – Friendly LIST FOR COLLEGE ATHLETICS by Shane L. Windmeyer
Nationally recognized LGBT leader in higher education, best-selling author and Executive Director, Campus Pride
C
olleges and universities must take responsibility for the academic success and safety of all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students–including their college athletes. Nobody knows where colleges and universities stand on inclusion and the safety of LGBT players, coaches and staff in college sports. This past year Campus Pride, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for LGBT and ally college students and campus groups, teamed up with Compete Magazine to find out which U.S. campuses are leading the way by compiling the first-ever national “LGBTFriendly Top 10 List for College Athletics.” Campus Pride’s goal with the Top 10 List is to begin the dialogue of LGBT safety and inclusion in college athletics while providing the necessary research to broaden efforts to combat anti-LGBT conduct, bias and slurs in sports. This Top 10 List is a first step in the process. In the fall Campus Pride will release its full report, the most comprehensive national collegiate research to date, sharing the experiences of nearly 500 self-identified LGBT athletes and providing necessary resources for further progress on LGBT issues in college athletics. Campus Pride and Compete Magazine are proud to highlight these colleges and universities for their progressive leadership efforts to address LGBT issues in college sports. While the Top 10 List highlights these positive efforts in relation to LGBT-friendly policies, pro-
grams and practices, it is also worth noting that there is still lots more work to be done around LGBT issues in college athletics–especially transgender athletic issues. Special recognition goes to Pat Griffin of GLSEN’S Changing the Game; Cyd Zeigler, founder of OutSports. com; former college athlete Brian Sims; national sports writer Dan Woog; and Shelly Weiss, founder of OUTmedia for their input and expertise during this process. Online nominations were gathered over a ten-month period in 2011 in tandem with the launch of Campus Pride’s newly-formed “Out to Play Project,” designed to address anti-LGBT slurs, biases and conduct in college sports. The research, review and final selection process was handled by Campus Pride. When available, each of the following college profiles has a star rating from the Campus Pride Index (www.CampusPrideIndex.org), scoring the overall LGBT-friendly campus climate of the college, five stars being the highest rating. If you would like to nominate your college for the next year’s edition of their “LGBT-Friendly Top 10 List for College Athletics,” please click on our link or go online to www.CampusPride.org/OutToPlay. And keep your eye out for the organization’s groundbreaking National Research Study of 500 LGBT college athletes being released in October. It will also include material from former gay professional sports figures John Amechi of the NBA and Esera Tuaolo of the NFL who, to protect their professional careers, didn’t come out until they retired.
To share this report, go to competenetwork.com/outtoplay 26 | COMPETE | May 2012
Bowdoin College POLAR BEARS Brunswick, Maine NCAA, Div. III, New England Small College Athletic Conference & Colby-Bates-Bowdoin Consortium
Bates College BOBCATS
Lewiston, Maine NCAA, Div. III, New England Small College Athletic Conference & Colby-Bates-Bowdoin Consortium LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index Rating No Rating Available Bates College athletics has a history of embracing diversity, especially LGBT issues and out players. It was no different with out transgender track and field athlete Keelin Godsey. Bates College is actually credited for helping Godsey discover and explore his gender identity. Until a freshman seminar class introduced him to the transgender concept, Godsey had always seen his sexuality as undefined. But his track and field coach supported him throughout the entire process of coming out as trans on campus. After the coach took time to learn about transgender issues, he then facilitated a team dialogue, raising awareness about being trans. While Godsey did encounter harassment and challenges from opponents on other teams, Bates College officials stood by him, educating themselves on the often overlooked, misunderstood issues faced by trans athletes on college campuses. Since then, the entire Bates College athletic department has individually signed the “Ally Athlete” pledge. This affirms each person’s commitment to a safe environment in college sports and “to promote the best of athletics by making all players feel respected on and off the field.”
LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index Rating
Bowdoin College has institutionalized its commitment to an LGBT-friendly climate by creating an LGBT-inclusive athletic program at all levels—from the athletic director to coaches to players to staff. A strong partnership exists between the Center of Sexual Diversity and the athletic department, providing consistency in training for LGBT issues. Even beyond the campus the Bowdoin athletic director serves as a spokesperson for transgender inclusion and overall LGBT progress within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Over the years a number of out players along with the current out men’s tennis coach Colin Joyner have opened the closet doors at Bowdoin College. The athletic department considers itself to be an active partner in LGBT awareness and purchases over 500 shirts for student athletes to wear every year with the words: “Respect All Sexualities and All Genders.” The department also plans an annual Anything But Straight in Athletics program that includes national LGBT speakers and athletes; it also encourages out players and coaches to share their stories to create visibility and support for others. An annual dinner with over 65 emerging sophomore leaders representing every sport developed an athletic-wide effort to promote a more welcoming team culture for LGBT issues. George Aumoithe, Bowdoin student winner of Campus Pride’s Voice and Action Award, chose as his prize from OUTmedia to bring in ESPN and CNN’s LZ Granderson who played to a packed audience that drew not only LGBT students but also coaches, managers and players.
www.CompeteNetwork.com
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Columbia University LIONS New York, N.Y. Ivy League, NCAA, Div. I
Bucknell University BISON Lewisburg, Penna. Patriot League, NCAA, Div. 1
LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index Rating
Bucknell University has dedicated a tremendous amount of resources to training various internal communities about LGBT issues, including fraternities and college athletics. Longtime Bucknell University LGBT pioneer Fran McDaniel is credited with much of the advocacy work that created awareness around LGBT issues in the university’s athletic program. Even after her passing in January 2011, the tireless work of this former director of the Office of LGBT Awareness continues at Bucknell. Track and field athlete Sean Coyne is one of the out gay athletes who worked with McDaniel during his emotionally difficult coming out to share his story at Bucknell. Coyne credits Coach Danielle Hobson and McDaniel for his activism based on his positive coming out experience. “Both helped encourage my personal journey and LGBT advocacy,” shared Coyne. He decided in 2008 to work with McDaniel on creating a “Safe Space” program for the sports teams meant to institutionalize Bucknell’s LGBT commitment beyond one coach and one player. Today the university has more than a dozen athletic teams that have participated in the “Safe Space” training and each team commits every year to being “…a place where the rules guard each person’s selfrespect and dignity and strongly encourage everyone to respect others.” Bucknell University’s “Safe Space” team approach to integrating its LGBT office with athletics is one based on the universal values of respect, honor and sportsmanship, a good model for other college athletic programs to follow.
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LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index Rating
Columbia University was nominated and selected for the Top 10 List for a specific reason. Not only is there an on-going active presence of out gay athletes in sports, like the swim team, but the university also has one of the nation’s most outspoken and visible straight allies as a coach–Hudson Taylor. One of the many nominations echoed these sentiments: “I chose to nominate Columbia University because of my coach and friend, Hudson Taylor, due to the impact he has had on myself, my teammates and others on LGBT issues in college sports.” Taylor, a three-time NCAA All-American wrestler who now serves as the university’s assistant coach of the wrestling team, founded the national organization, Athlete Ally. His transformative leadership has not only impacted Columbia’s wrestling team, it has also impacted college sport teams across the country. One student athlete stated, “Being raised in Alabama, I had not seen many athletes with the courage to stand up for the LGBT community. … After having Hudson as my coach for a year, I can fortunately say I have stopped using any language that could be seen as discriminatory; I am a member of Athlete Ally and I support all LGBT rights.” Columbia University reminds us that being LGBT-friendly requires hiring coaches and staff who uphold and enforce values of respect and dignity among their players. Taylor has drastically changed the outlook of many athletes at Columbia University, bringing a new honor code to sportsmanship.
Summer of
2012
Swimwear Give Away Visit Compete to get a sneak peak of sample photos from our 2012 Swimsuit Issue photo shoot featuring
Scott Herman
and enter to win some of this summer’s hottest swimwear.
Give Away
Pride One Grand Prize
Pacific Northwest Holiday 3 nights hotel accommodations in Portland, Oregon 2 round trip flights
3 day rental car
50 First Prizes One year subscription to compete magazine To enter visit:
competenetwork.com/contests sponsored by
To enter visit:
competenetwork.com/contests Contest ends July 31, 2012. See official rules and eligibility requirements online.
Contest ends August 31, 2012. See official rules and eligibility online.
Ithaca College BOMBERS Indiana University HOOSIERS Bloomington, Ind. Big 10, NCAA, Div. 1
LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index Rating
Indiana University (IU) has come a long way since the days of Bobby Knight. The campus athletic department has been an ongoing, active partner with the office of GLBT Student Services. In June 2010 the athletic program even participated in Indianapolis PRIDE with The Advocate, noting that it was the first time an athletic program participated in a PRIDE event. The athletic program also sponsors an LGBT Fan Appreciation Day offering special deals on tickets and refreshments to LGBT friends and family. Athletic staff joined the “Safe Zone” program and displayed stickers on their doors expressing their commitment to being an ally for LGBT students. And a number of coaches and staff also participated in LGBT sensitivity training with sports writer Dan Woog and attended a lecture by out former NFL football player Esera Tualo. The IU Department of Athletics was nominated by the head of GLBT Student Services Doug Bauder. In his nomination he mentioned that IU athletics has been and continues to be “deserving and a true team partner in creating inclusion for all students.” As a result, the athletics department recently received the IU GLBT Spirit Award given by Bauder’s office to individuals and organizations supportive of LGBT diversity and acceptance. The athletic department has put words of inclusion into action for LGBT athletes, setting the bar high for other schools in the Big Ten Conference.
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Ithaca, N.Y. Empire Eight, Div. III
LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index Rating
With many notable LGBT-inclusive efforts happening in the area of college athletics, Ithaca College continues to be a leader in higher education and diversity. Numerous educational programs, speakers and trainings have been implemented and sponsored by the athletic department. Additionally, there are many positive LGBT-friendly advocates, including Ellen Staurowsky and Annemarie Farrell, who have served as outstanding leaders and coaches at Ithaca. Their efforts helped Ithaca College host the 2009 Sport, Sexuality and Culture conference featuring the work of nearly 125 scholars from North America, Asia, Europe and South America. In partnership with the Ithaca College Center for LGBT Education, Outreach & Services, Farrell also took LGBT and ally students from the center to work as interns at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. As a result of these LGBT investments by Ithaca College coaches, two Ithaca student athletes, Morgan Ewing and Ruthie Goff, formed the Association for Gay & Straight Student-Athletes (AGSSA). This student campus organization is dedicated “to change prevailing attitudes and perceptions in regards to homosexuality, athletes, and athletics; to combat homophobia and heterosexism in sports and athletics.” Most importantly, the AGSSA seeks to provide outreach for openly gay student athletes while encouraging an LGBT-affirming dialogue between athletes, coaches and teams. Although still rare in higher education, such LGBT-focused student athlete organizations provide positive proof that Ithaca College is on the right track.
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Kennesaw State University OWLS Kennesaw, Ga. Atlantic Sun, NCAA, Div. I
LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index Rating
While it may surprise some to find Kennesaw on this list, the primary reason it has being recognized as gay-friendly is due to the perseverance of openly gay coach TJ Greggs. Beginning as a volunteer assisting the struggling women’s tennis program, Greggs also helped to create a new men’s tennis program. Based on the success of the tennis programs, Greggs was later offered a full-time job in athletics without any concerns about him being gay. With support from the school’s athletic director, he continues to provide LGBT sensitivity “Safe Space” trainings for students, faculty, staff and coaches across the Kennesaw campus. Thanks to the efforts of Greggs and others, Kennesaw State has been actively working to make the campus, including athletics, a more LGBT-friendly one. As a featured speaker at the annual campus diversity forum, the athletic director spoke about his vision for an inclusive athletics program. Greggs has also been recognized by the university as an out champion for equality. One nomination states: “Greggs is a role model as a coach who lives by example–out and honestly.” Kennesaw State also participated in the national It Gets Better Project, and Greggs recorded his own story. Undoubtedly the athletic program has been impacted positively by having an out gay coach on the athletic staff. Greggs is one of the few openly gay tennis coaches in college sports. Out coaches and players have a vital role, along with LGBT-inclusive policies, in creating an affirming environment in college athletics.
32 | COMPETE | May 2012
New York University VIOLETS
New York, N.Y. UNITED ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (UAA), NCAA, Div. III LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index Rating
In support of all its men’s and women’s athletic teams, New York University (NYU) is committed to equality of opportunity, inclusion and equity. As members of the NYU community, the university expects students to be thoughtful, to take responsibility for their own actions, to practice responsible citizenship and to respect the rights of others. The NYU Department of Athletics in valuing these principles actively partners with the NYU LGBT and Queer Student Center. The Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), representing all twenty-one NYU varsity sports, participated in the fall 2011 “Safe Zone” training with nearly forty coaches and athletic staff participating. SAAC is an annual co-sponsor of “Ally Week” that engages athletes in becoming allies to LGBT campus students. For release at this year’s Ally Week celebration, the students have even created an “It Gets Better Project” video. Featured in the video are the captain of the men’s volleyball team and the head coach of the women’s volleyball team sharing their positive coming out stories in college sports. One student athlete comments that “NYU is extremely gay-friendly in sports and elsewhere. I have never felt more welcome and accepted. Despite my fears, my coming out has helped me grow as an athlete and in my self-esteem.” NYU has built a strong foundation of LGBT inclusion in college athletics through its policies which are put into practice on a daily basis.
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Walla Walla, Wash. NORTHWEST CONFERENCE, NCAA, Div. III LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index Rating
Stanford University CARDINAL Stanford, Calif. Pac-12, NCAA, Div. I
LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index Rating
Hailed as the number one athletic department in the country, Stanford University has also been viewed as a progressive national leader on LGBT issues. With out athletes and the LGBT Community Resource Center providing outreach and trainings to student athletes and coaches, Stanford has consistently scored high from Campus Pride for the overall campus climate for LGBT students. “Stanford has given me as an out athlete the care and respect to be who I am openly and honestly. I value my teammates and experiences on campus and believe it is a good place to be out in sports,” shared one student athlete. Many of the efforts at Stanford University are the result of individual coaches and players standing up in the face of harassment on campus. Stanford is not immune from bias and slurs in sports. Out players have varied experiences and the fear of coming out is still as real here as it is everywhere else. But Stanford has been a national beacon of hope for LGBT students, continuing critical improvements in its LGBT policies, programs and practices. Nominations for Stanford University all cite the LGBT-inclusive atmosphere and the level of openness.
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Whitman College competes to win. And the same spirit prevails when it comes to being LGBT-friendly, giving the college a high score on the Campus Pride LGBT-friendly Campus Climate Index. In fall 2011 Whitman’s entire athletic program stood up against LGBT bias by endorsing the “Athlete Ally” pledge and providing sensitivity training to its athletes. The athletic department not only promotes diversity and tolerance, it also holds student athletes accountable for their language and for promoting values of respect in athletics. Student athletes initiated the campaign to have athletes serve as campus role models to create positive change. One nomination stated: “Whitman has truly excelled in creating a more inclusive place for LGBT student athletes. Student athletes are committed to being allies and it shows on campus. We all have a role to play in creating an accepting atmosphere on campus and in sports.” Whitman College unequivocally out-measures other colleges in the Northwest Conference as being LGBT inclusive, standing out as an ally and a voice for inclusion. As long as that voice is heard in athletics, Whitman will continue being viewed as a progressive leader. Shane L. Windmeyer, M.S. Ed. is a leading author on gay campus issues, a national leader in gay and lesbian civil rights, and a champion for LGBT issues on college campuses. He is co-founder and executive director of Campus Pride, the leading national organization for student leaders and campus organizations working to create a safer college environment for LGBT students. Learn more online at www.CampusPride.org.
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GAY SPORTS EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY Find more events online at competenetwork.com
EVENTS
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GSGRA – Hot Rodeo 2012 Banning, Calif. 5/4-6 NGRA – Big Horn Rodeo Las Vegas 5/11-13 OGRA – Great Plains Rodeo Oklahoma City 5/25-27
Bowling CPI (Chicago Pride Invitational) Chicago 5/5-6 GREAT (Greater Rochester Eastern Area Tournament) Rochester, N.Y. 5/4-6 IGBO XXXII Jersey City, New Jersey 5/23-28
Multisport ORLANDO GLBT Sports Festival Orlando 5/31-6/3
Softball Texas Shootout Austin 5/5 Big Peach Softball Tournament Atlanta 5/25 Liberty Bell Classic Philadelphia 5/26
JULY Tennis GLTA Grass Court Championships Palm Springs 5/3-6 Spring Fling Doubles 2012 Ft. Lauderdale 5/5-6 Long Beach Pride Doubles 10 Long Beach 5/19-20 United States Gay Open San Francisco 5/25-28 CNKY Memorial Tennis Classic Cincinnati, Ohio 5/26-28
Volleyball NAGVA Championships XXX Las Vegas 5/25 Find more events online at competenetwork.com/events.
Ringing in a New Life
A
pril 21st wasn’t New Year’s Eve but Stephany Lee managed to “ring in” two important events in her life over a 48-hour period: first, she won a spot on the U.S. Women’s Olympic wrestling team headed for London; and second, she and her partner, Brigg McDonald, became official newlyweds. The Hawaii native has been training in Colorado Springs where she met her wife. And when the Olympic trials for the wrestling team were being held in Iowa where same-sex marriage has been legal since 2009, the couple decided to officially tie the knot. Before the ceremony, Lee remarked that “I wear a ring, and I have been wearing a ring. I know I want
36 | COMPETE | May 2012
to be with her the rest of my life. This is a validation of that.” Present at the ceremony were McDonald’s two children, Lee’s Olympic teammate Clarissa Chun, and a family friend. From all of us at Compete, we send you both congratulations and best wishes on your marriage. And to Stephany, good luck on your Olympic matches. May
the rings in your life, both wedding and Olympic, bring you much joy and happiness for years to come! photo by Michael Vayan
U.S. Olympic Women’s Wrestling team Left to Right: Stephanie Lee, Elena Pirozhkova, Kelsey Campbell, Clarissa Chun
Yearbook
This Month In Sports History: MAY
1
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Oakland A’s Dave Kingman’s fly ball never comes down (stuck in Metrodome ceiling) (1984)
Last basketball game at Boston Gardens (Magic beats Celtics) (1994)
Mario Andretti sets one-lap speed record at Indy at 218.204 mph (1987)
Michelle McGann wins LPGA Sara Lee Golf Classic (1995)
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Dave Concepcion becomes 4th Cincinnati Red to get 2,000 hits; others include Pete Rose, Tony Perez & Cesar Cedeno (1985)
Chris Evert’s 125-match winning streak on clay comes to an end (1979)
Bobby Riggs beats Margaret Smith Court in Mother’s Day match in Calif. (1973)
1st Olympics in U.S. are held in St. Louis (1904)
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1st Kentucky Derby; Oliver Lewis aboard Aristides wins in 2:37.75 (1875)
Tiger Woods wins Byron Nelson Golf Classic (1997)
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San Diego Sockers win 4th consecutive Major League Soccer championship (1991)
C.A. Parker (Harvard) wins 1st American bike race, Boston (1878)
20th NBA Championship: Golden Warriors sweep Washington Bullets in 4 games (1975)
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Paul Pearman jumps 21 barrels on a skateboard in Augusta (1987)
Larry Bird beats out Magic Johnson for NBA Rookie of the Year (1980)
Closest Indy 500; Gordon Johncock beats Rick Mears by 0.16 seconds (1982)
BPAA U.S. Women’s Bowling Open won by Dana MillerMackie (1990)
Texas Ranger Nolan Ryan pitches his 7th no-hitter, beating Toronto 3-0 (1991)
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Lennox Lewis beats Tony Tucker in 12 for heavyweight boxing title (1993)
Elizabeth Bonner runs female world record marathon (3:01:42) (1971)
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Stanley Cup: Edmonton Oilers beat New York Islanders, 4 games to 1 (1984)
Cubs Claude Passeau makes 1st error since ‘41, ending his fielding record of 273 consecutive errorless changes (1946)
Muhammad Ali TKOs Henry Cooper in 6 for heavyweight boxing title (1966)
26 Philadelphia Phillies retire Mike Schmidt’s uniform #20 (1990)
Source: www.brainyhistory.com
38 | COMPETE | May 2012
GAME ON It’s about hitting a line drive that lands just in front of the left fielder’s reach. About rounding third and being waved home. About hot summer days with friends and about being part of a community. It’s about the love of the game, and much more. See you here. August 13-18. TwinCities2012Series.org
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