Compete May 2017

IT'S HERE!

NAGAAA CUP

WORLD OUTGAMES

MIAMI 2017 GAY POLO

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TOURNAMENT

TURNS

MIAMI BEACH

STYLE GUIDE

MAY 2017 • VOL. 11 NO. 5 $3.95 • COMPETENETWORK.COM

nagaaasoftball.org (636) 3NAGAAA

Photo courtesy of the NAGAAA Archives

Play Out at a NAGAAA Tournament

Upcoming 2017 Tournament Dates

NAGAAA Cup .......................................Columbus, OH .............. 05/06/17 - 05/07/17 Liberty Bell Classic .................................Philadelphia, PA ............. 05/26/17 - 05/28/17 Big Peach Softball Tournament .............Atlanta, GA .................... 05/26/17 - 05/28/17 North Star Classic ..................................Minneapolis, MN ............ 05/27/17 - 05/28/17 Vegas Up All Night ................................Las Vegas, NV ................ 05/27/17 - 05/28/17 Tournaments listed as of 4/19/17. For a complete list of NAGAAA tournaments and dates, visit nagaaasoftball.org.

SAVE THE DATE

2017 Gay Softball World Series Portland, OR - Sept. 3rd to 10th

MAY 2017 Volume 11, Issue 5

PUBLISHERS Eric Carlyle • eric@competenetwork.com Patrick Gamble • patrick@competenetwork.com COMPETE MAGAZINE Editor-in-Chief Connie Wardman • connie@competenetwork.com Style Editor Bobby Ciletti • bobby@competenetwork.com Sports Reporter David Smith • davids@competenetwork.com Graphic Design Assistant Matt Boyd • mattb@competenetwork.com Field Ambassador Alfonzo Chavez • alfonzo@competenetwork.com Contributors Harry Andrew, Ian Colgate, Jared Garduno, Jeff Kagan, Miriam Latto, Bryan Lee, Michael Losier, Kevin Majoros and Brian Patrick Staff Photographer Ariel Stevens • ariel@competenetwork.com Sales & Partnerships sales@competenetwork.com Administration Camille Powell • camille@competenetwork.com Copyright © 2017 MEDIA OUT LOUD, LLC All Rights Reserved.

Corporate Office 4900 Scottsdale Road, Suite 4500 Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 • 480-493-6191 Compete is a trademark of Media Out Loud, LLC

Photo courtesy of World OutGames Miami

18 2017 WORLD OUTGAMES HEATS UP MIAMI MEET OUTGAMES ATHLETES

• ZDRAVKO CIMBALJEVIC • RODNEY FERRELL • ERIC MELLIS

KICK–OFF

10 LEFT FIELD

Speed Read, Grandstanding, Thumbs UP/DOWN

DEPARTMENTS 17 NUTRITION

Eight Adaptogenic Herbs for Today’s Tired Athletes

24 MVP

Billy Upchurch

27 INTERVIEW

International Gay Polo League Tournament Turns Eight

30 ATHLETE

Dan Rooney: A Man to be Remembered

SPORTS

MISSION STATEMENT Compete unites the world through sports.

34 36 38

COMPETENETWORK.COM

OVERTIME

FACEBOOK.COM/COMPETEMAG

Essential Oils for Athletes

@COMPETESPORTS

COMPETE MAGAZINE

Coady Roundball Classic Hits Philly David Smith’s Personal Journey to the OutGames NAGAAA’s 40 Years of North American Gay Softball

40 FITNESS

42 GYM BAG 44 EVENTS 46 STYLE

Miami Style Guide INSTAGRAM.COM/COMPETEMAGAZINE

COMPETE ONLINE

Check out Compete stories, videos and more online at: competenetwork.com www.CompeteNetwork.com

COVER ATHLETE Eric Mellis SPORT Tennis PHOTOGRAPHER Kelsey Shook Photography

| COMPETE | 5

WITH YOU

BY ERIC CARLYLE, SDL

ARE YOU OPEN TO COLLABORATION? @CompeteEric

C

ollaboration is an all-important everyday element for us at Compete – we really are a team that collaborates within the Compete offices and with all of our partners, readers and friends. And if you are a team player who loves that kind of positive interaction, that could include you, too.

If you’ve ever thought about being represented in the pages of Compete we’d really like to hear from you. We are searching for freelance bloggers, photo journalists, writers, athletes, teams, organizations and anyone else who is ready, willing and able to make a difference in sports diversity.

You may already be part of a sports team or organization. Maybe you wrestle with the Golden Gate Wrestling Club or play rugby with the Gotham Knights. Or perhaps you play volleyball with the Colorado Gay Volleyball Association.

Are you taking some great photos at this year’s NAGAAA Cup? Perhaps you are training for the World Gay Rodeo Finals and have a story to tell? Maybe you work out every day and want to show off your well-earned physique? Perhaps you’ve overcome a challenge or obstacle to reach your fitness goals? Whatever your story, we’d love to hear it.

There are endless ways for you to collaborate with us. All it takes is an email, phone call or Facebook message and who knows, you could just be the newest member of the Compete team.

With You,

Eric Carlyle, SDL Publisher/CEO eric@competenetwork.com

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| COMPETE | May 2017

FROM THE CATBIRD SEAT

BY CONNIE WARDMAN, M.A., SDL

OUTGAMES, POLO, BASKETBALL, SOFTBALL AND MORE? OH MY!

A

@CompeteConnie

fter four years of planning, negotiating, partnering and endless phone calls and emails, the 2017 World OutGames kicks off in Miami the end of this month, bringing sports competition, cultural events and a human rights conference to a global group of participants. This issue shares the stories of three out athletes who are set to participate. Their stories really highlight the fact that while they all come from different places with different experiences, as LGBTQ athletes they are united in their passion for sports and its ability to reduce our differences while elevating our shared humanness.

Especially dear to my heart is the story on the passing of Dan Rooney, legendary Steelers’ chairman. He was a man of genuine love, devotion and integrity who lived his belief in humanity every day. He will be remembered for his contribution to sports diversity for the Rooney Rule requiring minority candidates to be considered for head coaching jobs. It not only expanded into openings for women and minorities in front office positions in the NFL, it has now become the norm in national hiring practices.

It’s such fun to cover a variety of inclusive LGBTQ-related sports each month. Covered in this issue is the International Gay Polo Tournament that turned eight this year. For equestrian polo lovers it’s always an exciting annual event that also brings in money for the local HRC. But there are few other celebrations where the champagne flows so freely and the tailgaters come up with such wild and over-the-top themes to make it a fun experience for even non-horse enthusiasts.

We also welcome David Smith as Compete’s new sports reporter. He’s written about this month’s Coady Roundball Classic being held this year in Philadelphia while also sharing his own personal preparation as a swimmer to attend the OutGames. And NAGAAA, the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance is celebrating 40 years of gay softball this year, leading up to the Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) coming in August in Portland, Oregon.

It’s a full issue that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. And I also hope you’ll read Eric’s letter inviting you to join us at Compete and be part of changing the world one story, blog or picture at a time!

Keep Smiling,

Connie Wardman, M.A., SDL Editor-in-chief connie@competenetwork.com

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KICKOFF

LEFT FIELD

SPEED READ

10

NORTH CAROLINA HB2 BOYCOTT GOES TOTALLY SOUTH

Loretta Lynch. Now the NBA is also open to returning its All-Star Game to the state in 2019.

In a shocking turn of events, it seems the NCAA has fallen for a bait and switch maneuver by the North Carolina legislature and has granted permission for the state to once again host high profile sports tournaments.

Following an NCAA ultimatum to North Carolina to repeal its controversial House Bill 2 that required transgender individuals to use public bathrooms corresponding to their birth sex or risk losing all high profile sports tournaments for five years, the state finally took action. On March 29 Roy Cooper, the new Democratic governor of North Carolina finally reached an agreement with the Republican-controlled legislature to repeal the bill. However, the new so-called compromise bill, HB142 simply replaces one discriminatory, anti-transgender bathroom bill with another.

While meeting the NCAA’s minimum requirements to allow the state to once again host high profile sports tournaments, according to HRC and Equality NC, the state’s general assembly “reserves total control over bathroom access throughout the state – no city, state agency, public university or school board can ever adopt a policy that ensures transgender people have access to restrooms consistent with their gender identity.” They continue to say that “Further, no city can even consider passing any protections for LGBTQ people until 2020. At the end of this discriminatory ‘moratorium,’ cities will still be prevented from ensuring transgender people are able to use facilities consistent with their gender identity.”

Rather than even considering any hint of wrong thinking on their part, the vitriolic response coming from the NC Republican-dominated legislature has been fast and furious. It filed HB728 that says if an intercollegiate athletic association boycotts the state, then the University of North Carolina (UNC) campuses that belong to that conference are prohibited from extending to the conference the grant of media rights. Additionally, it requires the UNC campuses to then provide written notice to that conference of their intent to leave the conference once those media rights expire. Only Duke and Wake Forest would be unaffected since they don’t receive state funds.

So it appears that the NCAA, despite their once-fervent claim to continue the boycott, has blinked. And the repeal of HB2 has been enough for the Justice Department under U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to voluntarily withdraw the lawsuit filed last year by former Attorney General

GROUNDBREAKING MARATHONER KATHERINE SWITZER IS STILL IN THE RACE

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Marathoner Katherine Switzer ran in this year’s Boston Marathon, finishing the race in 4:40:50. Not bad for a 70-year-old who quit running for 30 years, taking it up again just eight years ago. Particularly impressive is that her current time is just 10 minutes off her original 1967 run time. It was that year that the 20-year-old journalism student decided to change history – and she did. The ugly sexism on display that day for all to see launched her career as a women’s sports advocate.

It was 50 years ago when Switzer first decided to run in the iconic … and all-male … Boston Marathon by registering using just her initials – K.V. Switzer. Roberta Gibb had run the race the year before but she hadn’t registered and had kept her gender a secret by wearing a hooded sweatshirt. But Switzer, openly wearing lipstick and earrings, ran beside her boyfriend, making it clear to everyone that she was a woman competing against a field of men.

In her memoir, “Marathon Woman,” she recalled that just a few miles into the race its director Jock Semple chased her down and tried to take her official race number 261 while shouting, ‘Get the hell out of my race and give me those numbers!’ Thanks to interference from fellow runners, she finished the race and in 2012 went on to form 261 Fearless, a foundation to empower women through running.

SPORTS ICON MAGIC JOHNSON ON SUPPORTING YOUR GAY CHILDREN Basketball legend Magic Johnson, whose son EJ came out in 2013, sat down with Ellen DeGeneres and shared his thoughts for parents of gay children. Talking about EJ, Johnson said: “It’s all about you not trying to decide what your daughter or son should be or what you want them to become. It’s all about loving them no matter who they are, what they decide to do. And when my son came out, I was so happy for him and happy for us as parents and we love him, and EJ is amazing.”

He added: “So you gotta support your child because there’s so many people who try to discriminate against them so they need you to support them because if you don’t support them, who’s going to support them and love them?” To watch the video, go to: https://youtu.be/jfKkvnbvZ-E.

GRANDSTANDING LETTERS TO COMPETE MAGAZINE

IT’S TOO HOT (APRIL 2017) I burnt my fingers on the swimsuit issue.

Chase Keller

COMPETE READER SURVEY Favorite Ball

Ithica, New York HE’S TOO HOT (APRIL 2017) I loved your recent swimsuit photo of Jason Altimirano and the story about him in the April issue of Compete. Not only is he smoking in his swimsuit but he has a big heart and lots of ambition, too. Did I mention he is smoking?

Daryl Johnston

Other 10% Basketball 15%

Softball 45%

Los Angeles, California SHE’S TOO HOT (APRIL 2017) I was surprised to see so many woman in your swimsuit edition. It was a nice surprise. As a female athlete I often feel under-represented in the media so hopefully this is the start of a new trend.

Football 30%

Kate Lewis Austin, Texas TALK TO US! Submissions to Compete should include the writer’s name, address and contact phone number and should be sent by email to letters@competenetwork.com. Letters may be edited by Compete and become the property of Media Out Loud, LLC.

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| COMPETE | 11

SPORTS KICKOFF

QUIZ

A. Lisa Leslie, on July 30, 2002 against the Miami Sol. A three-time WNBA MVP and eight-time All-Star and a four-time Olympic gold medal winner, Leslie was the No. 7 pick in the 1997 inaugural WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks. Playing her entire 11-year career with the team, in 2011 Leslie became a Sparks co-owner and for the 2016 WNBA’s 20th Anniversary was voted into the WNBA Top 20@20.

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

?

Q. What Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Hall of Fame player was the first to dunk in a WNBA game?

THE INDIAN STATE OF KERALA

THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS

… for hosting the country’s first sports meet for transgender athletes in an effort to raise awareness of the trans community.

The government initiative will include competitions like sprint in 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m, relay, shot put and long jump.

… for not only holding their fifth annual LGBTQ Night at Dodger Stadium on June 9 but this year also recognizing Southern California LGBTQ athletes and others. Billy Bean, vice president and special assistant to the MLB commissioner will be part of the program.

LADIES PROFESSIONAL GOLF ASSOCIATION (LPGA)

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL (MLB)

… for penalizing Lexi Thompson four strokes for not properly placing her ball and signing an incorrect card at the ANA Inspiration a day after the event because a TV viewer reported the violation. It raised the collective hackles of the golfing community for a viewer rather than an official to be making a rules call; it cost her winning the event.

… for licensing “Landline,” a gay baseball movie that was released on VOD on April 4.

MLB’s Robin Jaffe, senior manager, Presence Marketing at MLB worked with filmmaker Matthew Aaron to help make “Landline” the first LGBTQ film to be granted this licensing.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 23

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FROM THE 2017 SIN CITY SHOOTOUT SPECIAL EDITION

NUTRITION

EIGHT ADAPTOGENIC HERBS FOR TODAY’S TIRED ATHLETES

BY MIRIAM LATTO

WE ARE ALL UNDER A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT of stress these days; it affects us in multiple ways, taking a toll on our bodies. And when it becomes chronic, it depletes our immune system and causes us to lose valuable sleep, gain weight, even to begin early aging. But how did our early ancestors deal with stress?

Way before the Olympic Games began, our ancestors used medicinal “adaptogenic” herbs to help themselves stay strong – their herbal medications helped the natural body-mind connection “adapt” to their forms of stress so they could not only survive but also thrive in a very unforgiving world.

When these herbs are used properly, they can help today’s tired athletes recover and stay strong. For educational purposes only, let’s look at eight of these adaptogenic herbs that you might choose to include in your 2017 health regimen.

ASHWAGANDA (Withania somiferum) has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 4,000 years for exhaustion and high levels of chronic stress. Ashwaganda is known for mood stabilization and to support optimal physical and emotional well-being. It’s believed to reduce the effects of stress on the body and is also known to have aphrodisiac properties that could possibly aid in erectile dysfunction and fertility.

ASIAN GINSENG (Panax ginseng) roots are taken orally as adaptogens, aphrodisiacs and nourishing stimulants. As a proven anti-inflammatory, it can regulate blood sugar and works as an anti-depressant, for endurance, memory, calmness and energy. No wonder it’s in most of today’s energy drinks.

CORDYCEPS (Cordyceps sinensis) is known as the “ginseng of mushrooms” and is known to have a wonderful effect on endurance and stamina. It has stress-reducing properties and research shows it to be highly effective in treating respiratory ailments, enhancing aerobic performance, increasing sex drive and strengthening the immune system.

HE SHOU WU (Fallopia multiflora) is also known as polygonum multiflorum and used as a tonic to slow down the aging process. It calms the nervous system, and has been shown to promote hair growth, alleviate insomnia.

Additionally it may aid with learning and memory.

HOLY BASIL (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is used traditionally to alleviate stress and inflammation while many studies show it to be the equivalent to many modern painkillers. Recent studies reveal it’s a powerful antioxidant that may be able to reduce blood glucose levels and cholesterol.

MACA (Lepidium meyenii) is highly beneficial for reducing fatigue, enhancing energy and endurance – an effective adaptagen for everyday living. It contains 55 phytochemicals known to have vitality-enhancing body effects and is incredibly mineral dense and nutritious.

It may heighten libido and even alleviate medicationinduced sexual dysfunction caused by pharmaceutical antidepressants.

RHODIOLOA (Rhodiola rosea), found in the high north tundra and Arctic, it’s the herb of endurance that’s great for chronic physical and mental demands because it’s effective in improving mood and alleviating depression.

Athletes and students may experience increased performance with the proper use of this herb.

SCHISANDRA (Schisandra chinensis) is a berry known in China for its sexual tonic qualities and ability to help with long-term stress and mental exhaustion. It supports the immune system, relieves anxiety, increases energy and can improve mental clarity. Berries can be eaten as is or mixed with other adaptogenic herbs for combating stress on the body and mind.

Remember that herbs are only as good as their overall quality. You want to know where they were grown and harvested, and which part of the plant is used. Pay attention to freshness and overall quality – there can be large quality differences between quality brands and cheaper versions so don’t buy simply based on price. Let quality be your guide when working with herbal products.

Always consult your specially trained medical professional before starting any herbal products, especially if pregnancy is a possibility. It is possible for herbal medications to interact with prescription and over the counter (OTC) medications and drugs, and cause undesirable interactions so let your health care provider know about any complementary and integrative health approaches you use. Do not use these products to replace conventional care or to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem.

Source: Truththeory.com

www.CompeteNetwork.com

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Photo courtesy of World OutGames.

WORLD OUTGAMES: MAKING MAGIC IN MIAMI

BY CONNIE WARDMAN

S

ometimes referred to as the “Magic City,” Miami plays host to the World OutGames from May 26 through June 4 when members of the global LGBTQ and ally communities will meet to experience the “magic” of personal transformation. Using the theme of “Energize Your Body; Expand Your Heart; Ignite Your Mind,” participants can be involved in the three areas of the event that are its hallmark – sports competition, cultural activities and a human rights conference.

And where could there be a better place to experience the 2017 World OutGames than Miami, with its exciting and eclectic mix of cultures, languages, art, architecture, music and of course, miles of beautiful beaches? While most activities will be held in Miami Beach, others will be held in Miami, Key Biscayne and Coral Gables.

The World OutGames, licensed through its rights holder, the Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association (GLISA), brings together athletes from all over the world every four years for a celebration of sport, culture and human rights. Many participants come from countries where homosexuality remains illegal and hidden. Previously hosted in Montreal, Copenhagen and Antwerp, the World OutGames is open to all who wish to participate without regard to sexual orientation or a requirement for qualifying standards While close to 10 OutGames editions have been produced globally in the decade since its inception in 2006, helping to bring the OutGames to the U.S. for the first time is its collaborative partner Adidas. Mark King, president of Adidas North America said, “We believe in the power of sport and its ability to transcend differences and unite people around hope and celebration. Sport plays a critical role in our culture today and we can harness that influence to make real change for the world. We want to foster a culture in sports that celebrates diversity and provides a safe place for everyone to play.”

Some highlights of the cultural area will include PULSE POINTS, an experiential memorial fusing elements of dance, poetry, music and visual arts with 49 artistic expressions in remembrance of the 49 lives lost one year ago in the Orlando massacre at Pulse Nightclub. Lummus Park, Miami Beach’s beautiful oceanfront park, will be

transformed into a Festival Village that will serve as home to two entertainment stages, a women's space, a family area, an adult zone and a wide variety of food and drink offerings to satisfy every palate. Smaller satellite hubs will be placed at various sporting venues throughout Greater Miami to entertain, refuel, energize and excite athletes and spectators.

The three-day Global LGBTQI Human Rights Conference portion will open hearts and minds with compelling and current insights from a powerful global gathering of internationally respected human rights activists, researchers, legal scholars and organizations. While the impressive list of speakers is too long to list in its entirety, some of the more familiar athletes involved include Tongan Olympic Swimmer Amini Fonua who called out the Daily Beast article outing gay athletes on Grinder at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Also participating is Chris Mosier, transgender advocate, triathlete, and speaker who is the first out trans man to join a U.S. national men's team; Cyd Zeigler, co-founder of Outsports.com, author and speaker, and Mark Tewksbury, Olympic swimmer and author from Canada. For a complete list of speakers, go to http://www.outgames.org/human_rights/conference.

According to Miami OutGames CEO Ivan Cano, thirty sports categories from tennis to water polo to martial arts will take place all across the city as well as sports leaning to the brainier side (dominoes, poker) and fabulously flamboyant (dance sport, synchronized swimming).

While an overview of a large multifaceted event like this is interesting, it’s really the stories of the people who choose to attend that reveal the importance it has to offer the LGBTQ community. And since Compete is a sports diversity magazine, our primary focus is on LGBTQ and ally athletes.

Please meet three out gay athletes who are going to compete this month in the World OutGames in Miami: Zdravko Cimbaljevic, Rodney Ferrell and Eric Mellis.

These three openly gay men grew up in different areas with different backgrounds and experiences, highlighting the fact that while there is no typical OutGames athlete, it is their common love of sports and belief in inclusion and diversity that bring them to Miami this month.

"We want to foster a culture in sports that celebrates diversity and provides a safe place for everyone to play.”

www.CompeteNetwork.com

| COMPETE | 19

MEET THREE WORLD OUTGAMES ATHLETES ZDRAVKO CIMBALJEVIC

Z

dravko is a single, 33-year-old volleyball player and one-time professional dancer originally from Niksic, Montenegro. A European country that borders Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia, the government pays minimal lip service to prohibiting LGBTQ discrimination but in reality, it is a very dangerous place for a gay person to live. Just ask Zdravko who now lives in Vancouver, British Columbia after having read his obituary in a local paper published just a day before the country’s first Pride event.

As a social worker actively involved abroad on issues of homeless youth, he was still closeted when he returned to Montenegro in 2010. Physically attacked while walking his dog, by reporting the incident to the police, he became a public target. So in 2011 he decided to officially register the LGBT Forum Progress, the country’s first LGBTIQ2+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer and Two-Spirited) organization and came out as his country’s first gay man.

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In spite of being immediately disowned by his family and countrymen in general, Zdravko still managed to introduce LGBTIQ2+ topics as one of the most important Human Rights issues of the European Union accession process for Montenegro, and open the first LGBTIQ2+ shelter in the Balkans with support from the local Embassy of the Netherlands..

But it became too dangerous to continue living there, and following a wonderful experience in 2013 as a guest while serving as the international grand marshal for the Vancouver Pride Society, at the urging of his Canadian friends he moved to Canada as a protected person. There he joined the Rainbow Refugee organization where he assists new LGBTIQ2+ and HIV-positive refugees and speaks globally on his experiences.

Photo courtesy of Marc Roumi.

RODNEY FERRELL

A

s a single, 44-year old television producer living in Los Angeles, California, Rodney will be playing tennis in Miami with his doubles partner, Eric Mellis.

Also involved in biking, running and triathlons, Rodney says that sports offer him the perfect escape from his high stress job. He loves the competition, the drive and dedication it takes to get better as well as the character it gives people. And as a desert lover (“cookies and more cookies”) he loves the added plus that it keeps him in shape.

Growing up in the Midwest, Rodney came out at age 16 and in his words, “Whoa! Portland, Indiana was not quite ready for that at the time. But why not lead the charge, right?” Saying that he was always very active in sports growing up, it wasn’t until he joined a community theater company that he started to meet a group of people that were like him. “YAS, a bunch of theater queens took me under their wing. It was my first experience with the LBGTQ community and once I saw how much that guidance and support meant to me in my life, I swore I would always be there for the younger generations.”

Rodney considers his greatest personal achievement as “coming to Los Angeles from Indiana with nothing and building a successful and promising career in Hollywood

Rodney Ferrell (L) and Eric Mellis (R). Photo courtesy of Rodney Ferrell.

that changed my life.” He now plays in a lot of sporting events that are part of the LGBTQ community in Los Angeles and says “I think it’s a great way for young people to become part of the community and I like to be a good support system for them.”

Eric Mellis (L) and Rodney Ferrell (R) holding trophies.

Photo courtesy of Rodney Ferrell.

www.CompeteNetwork.com

| COMPETE | 21

ERIC MELLIS

E

ric, an energetic 25-year-old university administrator who is partnered, is playing tennis doubles at the OutGames with Rodney Ferrell. But he’s also played table tennis, squash, badminton and racket ball, explaining that at age five his parents hired a “sports tutor” so he could try out “every sport on earth. Anything with me holding a racket or paddle stuck and I was best on a big court.” And this “huge dreams” guy is also involved in improv and standup comedy.

Growing up in New Rochelle, New York, Eric also lived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Houston, Texas before moving to West Hollywood (WeHo), an area that really suits his self-described personality as a “true hell-or-high water Sagittarian,” unlike the rest of his family. He revealed that he “was a worrywart as a kid and really cared what others thought of me. It was totally freeing and healthy to finally let go of the unnecessary burden of trying to fit into the boxes other people want me to fit into and live for myself.” And the former elementary school teacher and honey bee researcher has done that with élan, saying he feels like he’s already lived multiple lives in one lifetime, something that only makes him want to do “more interesting stuff!”

Coming out as gay in his college fraternity, Eric forged close ties with the LGBTQ community while participat-

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ing in the AIDS/LifeCycle. He said that moving to WeHo kicked him into high gear to get as fit as possible so he can achieve sports goals he once thought were impossible for him to achieve. He says that “no goal in tennis is off limits to me. I want to play with the best players I can, learn from failures and allow myself to enjoy successes.

Also, professional tennis has the absence of a fabulous gay commentator so if ESPN or the Tennis Channel is hiring, I’m totally game.”

As you can see from these three men's stories, there isn't a one-size-fits-all athlete. But it is their common belief in inclusion and diversity in sports that unites them, drawing them to participant in an event like the World OutGames. In the words of Eric, “I think any inclusion of the LGBTQ community is positive, especially in such a hetero-normative atmosphere as athletics. There’s an innate human quality when competing in sports that allows for people to lower their guards and see each other for who they are – people. Like RuPaul says, ‘We’re born naked and the rest is drag.’”

Please join us at Compete Magazine as we wish all the participants at the World OutGames a magical, transformative experience that’s also lots of fun, because to also quote RuPaul, “Life is an illusion; don’t take it too seriously.” After all, who can question RuPaul’s advice on life!

Courtesy of Brandon O'Dell Photography

TRAINING TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL WWW.SPORTSDIVERSITYLEADERS.COM

WILLIAM “BILLY” UPCHURCH

TEAM COMPETE MVP

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY’S INCLUSION IN SPORTS DIVERSITY? I agree 100 percent that everyone loves sports and everyone should have the right to participate in those sports no matter their gender or sexuality.

IF GIVEN THE CHANCE, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL/TEACH YOUR YOUNGER SELF? I’d say that life gets better, to keep moving forward. Stay positive and motivated and you can achieve anything you set your mind to and heart on.

WHAT’S YOUR PERSONAL STORY? I came out when I was 19 and I’ve been living in Colorado for the past five years, the last three in Denver. I’m working toward a modeling career and absolutely love my job at Tracks Denver Nightclub.

GREATEST ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS: Winning first place in a diving competition.

GREATEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Making my first cover with Compete Magazine.

WHAT’S YOUR CAREER/DAY JOB: Modeling.

OTHER SPORTS PLAYED: Baseball.

WHY YOU LOVE SPORTS: I love sports because it keeps you active, up and moving and you get the chance to meet some pretty amazing people that love doing the same things you do.

BEST PHYSICAL FEATURE: Eyes.

INTERESTS/HOBBIES: Art, roller skating, swimming, spending time with my loved friends.

FAVORITE TEAM: USA Gymnastics Team.

FAVORITE ATHLETE: Tom Daley.

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: In a relationship with my most favorite human being, Brian Gemelli.

CURRENT SPORT(S) PLAYED: Swimming.

CURRENT RESIDENCE: Denver, Colorado.

HOMETOWN: Bassett, Virginia.

AGE: 28.

To be included in our MVP section, e-mail: MVP@competenetwork.com

Centerfold photo by Nino Silva Thumbnail photos by Robins.Photography

APRIL 2017 • VOL. 11 NO. 4 $3.95 • COMPETENETWORK.COM

OUR 11TH ANNUAL SWIMSUIT ISSUE.

MILE HIGH SUMMER SPLASH!

We’ll leave you thinking ...

SO MANY

BALLS

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INTERVIEW

INTERNATIONAL GAY POLO LEAGUE TOURNAMENT TURNS EIGHT

BY IAN COLGATE THE 8TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL GAY POLO League Tournament was held from April 6-9 this year in Wellington, Florida at the International Polo Club Palm Beach – Isla Carrol Field West. This year the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek defeated Goshen Hill for the Founder’s Cup by a coin toss after ending the game 4-4.

Cedar Crest Stables took home the Senator Cup, besting RSM after a penalty shoot-out.

Speaking with Chip McKenney, the president and founder of the Gay Polo League (GPL) said “the level of play gets better and better and I think, by far, this was an extraordinary year as far as polo goes for us.” He is also excited by the fact that each year there are new players on the field and new spectators there to cheer on the teams to victory. Although he plays for RSM, the team that lost the Senator Cup to Cedar Crest Stables, McKenney went on to say, “Even though we came in second, I’m very happy for

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SNOOPY PRODUCTIONS

the winning team because Cat Malone and Cedar Crest Stables have supported us from the very beginning.

The tournament was presented again this year by the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (PBCHRC).

Rand Hock, president and founder of the council said in an interview with Ryan Yousefi for the South Florida Gay News (SFGN) that he’s attended the Gay Polo League Tournament since its inception and is amazed to see how it’s developed over the last eight years.

The first year, he says more time was spent watching the polo matches instead of socializing but that has changed. The next year Hock was invited to lunch by Mason Phelps Jr., the owner and founder of Phelps Media Group and, as a serious horseman himself, the founder of the tournament. At that time Phelps informed Hock that ‘GPL had selected PBCHRC to receive 50 percent of the proceeds of the sale of individual tickets to the gay polo tournament.’

(Continued on page 28)

INTERVIEW

‘Mason also told us that GPL was encouraging people to decorate their tailgate spaces, and there would be prizes in several categories. He really wanted it to develop into the premier LGBT-friendly sporting (and social) event in Palm Beach County,’ said Hock. And that it has! Individual teams of tailgaters come up with a theme and then let loose, creating everything from an airline cabin to a wedding chapel to a take on the Arabian Nights.

You’d be hard pressed to find a more fun yet sophisticated and exciting sporting event than the International Gay Polo League Tournament. Over the years the event has continued to grow, attracting some of the very best polo players from around the world. And the pre- and post-match festivities with the tailgates where teams let their imaginations and senses of humor run wild have become a fabulous fixture of the event. As a self-pronfessed Anglophile I was thrilled that this year’s winner was an over-the-top British theme with Union Jacks displayed everywhere – on banners, furniture, even on the lenses of the team’s sunglasses. God Save the Queen(s)!

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But underneath the incredible athletes and their amazing horses, the glitz and glamour of the upscale affair and the fun of the tailgates, there are two men responsible for bringing this event to life – Phelps and McKenney. A longtime supporter of a number of charities, after losing his brother to AIDS in 1996, Phelps co-founded the Equestrian AIDS Foundation and has been named one of SFGN’s OUT50 Palm Beach for 2017. As an enthusiastic polo player who once felt like he was the only gay man who wanted to play the game, McKenney actually moved from California to Florida and now serves as CEO/CFO of Phelps Media Group in addition to his role as president and founder of the GPL. Their shared passion for horses, polo and giving back to the LGBTQ sports community has led McKenney and Phelps to merge their respective talents to create and grow this annual tournament and, in the process to create a new area of sports diversity for polo lovers within the LGBTQ community and beyond.

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ATHLETE

DAN ROONEY – A MAN TO BE REMEMBERED

BY CONNIE WARDMAN AS A FORMER PITTSBURGHER MY WELL-KNOWN Steelers loyalty is as much about the team’s culture of inclusion, loyalty and integrity created and nurtured by the Rooney family as it is about the game. So when I heard of Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney’s passing on April 13 at age 84, I was genuinely heartbroken. As a great high school football player who became an NFL owner, Rooney’s impact on sports diversity and the people who knew him is the stuff of legend.

What made Rooney so extraordinary is that he was just such a genuinely good, ordinary guy in spite of the power that came with his team ownership, Hall of Fame and U.S. Ambassadorship status. No matter your station in life, he always treated you like a valued human being.

While he may be remembered most for the Rooney Rule, the landmark rule in diversity hiring he brought to the NFL, he was so much more. In today’s troubled world Dan Rooney stood apart. Like a beacon of personal integrity and caring, his professionalism was mixed with a deep loyalty and commitment to the people who played the game he loved, to the NFL and especially to the people of Pittsburgh.

Ed Bouchette, covering the Steelers for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette since 1985, best described Rooney: “He was like a father, a friend, a mentor, a boss who inspired others around him. He was a people person and he never forgot where he came from. He epitomized Pittsburgh — hard working, humble, no nonsense, tell it the way it is and never forget where he came from. That’s him, that’s Pittsburgh."

Coming from a large American-Irish family with a strong Catholic upbringing, Daniel Milton Rooney (DMR to his family) grew up in football, eldest son of Art Rooney Sr., the powerful founder of the Steelers known as the Chief. DMR was a quiet man who preferred to be behind the scenes but he was universally respected, loved and admired not only among other NFL franchise team owners but also by players, officials, media and fans alike. Referring to him as “a Mount Rushmore figure,” Peter King of Sports Illustrated said of him, “There was no owner better than Dan Rooney, maybe ever, at combining the good of the game with the good of his team.”

The Steelers were founded in 1933 by his dad with DMR always tagging along, first attending training camp before age five and later working as the team’s water boy.

Following his 1960 graduation from Duquesne University

with an accounting degree, DMR began official employment as the Steelers’ director of personnel. By 1969 he’d taken charge of the team’s day-to-day operations and by 1975 was appointed team president with full control of the franchise.

The Chief raised his sons to never act like big shots, a definite sin in the Rooney household. The lesson of humility was Credit: US State Dept. one DMR learned well, according to Gene Collier of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette who said, “Even at the height of influence, kingmaker to NFL commissioners, ambassador to Ireland, architect of the Rooney Rule and benefactor to countless cultural and literary initiatives from Pittsburgh to Dublin and back, Rooney was never in his own view above even the most menial undertakings.”

Since DMR’s 1969 daily operations takeover, the Steelers have had only three head coaches – Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin, and all three have won at least one Super Bowl. Commenting on DMR’s extraordinary gift for hiring coaches, Cowher said it was just as important to Rooney that the coach would fit in well with the people of Pittsburgh: “The person was more important to him than what you did. What do you stand for? He didn’t judge for accomplishment. He just judged you for a person.”

Rooney’s loyalty and belief in his coaches and his extraordinary willingness to allow them time to develop has been the foundation for the team’s trip to eight Super Bowl Championships and winning six, the most of any NFL team. In an interview with Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Cowher said that when the team missed the playoffs three consecutive seasons under his leadership, he wasn’t fired. When times were tough, Cowher said DMR “… would almost say, ‘So what lessons have you learned?’ He had this ability to listen to you and let you talk your way through a problem and let you pick yourself back up.”

Although trying to avoid the public spotlight, Rooney was still a very involved owner behind the scenes, becoming a confidante and mentor to three consecutive NFL commissioners; Paul Tagliabue, Pete Rozelle and Roger Goddell, all of whom admired him greatly. Part of that involvement included quietly helping to settle two (Continued on page 32)

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ATHLETE

players’ strikes in the 1970s and ‘80s and being a prime mover behind the salary cap, ensuring that there was parity between all the NFL franchises.

A consensus builder, Rooney helped lead negotiations for the collective bargaining agreement of 1982, and was also largely credited both by owners and players of having ended a strike that lasted half of the season because both sides trusted him. He listened to what everyone had to say and honored both sides.

King recounts that at a league meeting Rooney heard some team owners grumbling about the Steelers’ refusal to raise ticket prices. A visiting team receives a percentage of the ticket revenue for every game, meaning that Pittsburgh games wouldn’t be as profitable for visiting teams as owners wanted. But Rooney said, “I’m not concerned about your share. You’ve got enough money—we’ve all got enough money. I’m concerned about our fans and their ability to afford the tickets.”

In honor of his many contributions, DMR was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio in 2000, making it only the second father/son combo to receive this honor. When introducing DMR at the induction ceremony, Hall of Famer “Mean” Joe Greene said that “Dan has always led with humility. When things go as planned, Dan is in the background. When things don’t go as planned, he’s in the forefront.”

As head of the NFL’s diversity committee, DMR proposed the rule that diversified professional football. Named in his honor, the Rooney Rule requires all NFL teams to interview at least one minority candidate when filling head coaching vacancies. Originally meant to open coaching positions to minorities and make the league more diverse and inclusive, this hiring practice grew to include the hiring of women in sports’ front-office positions and now has spread to the national workplace.

Used first in 2003 when almost 70 percent of the players were African-American and the number of minority coaches stood at just six percent, Rooney hired Mike Tomlin in 2007, making him the Steelers first AfricanAmerican coach. NFL Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome, now general manager of the Ravens tweeted this about Rooney: “He humbled me with the respect he showed to the Ravens and myself. He is the father of the Rooney Rule, which has meant so much to minorities working in, and wanting to work in the NFL. We will all miss him.”

Reflecting on his boss’ passing, Tomlin shared this: "After every game, win or lose, Mr. Rooney would enter our locker room, look me in my eye and shake my hand along with every player who stepped foot on the field. He embodied professionalism and was a man who created a family-like atmosphere that will continue on. Football

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examples only scratch the surface of how he impacted mine and the countless other lives he touched."

But some of the most revealing tributes to Dan Rooney have come from his players. In declining health over the past several years, the once-robust young man had become an old man bent over and walking with a cane. It could be easy for younger men at the peak of their physicality to dismiss this 84-year-old man who was now about eye-level with their waists. But that wasn’t the case.

Perhaps Steelers wide receiver and punt returner Antonio Brown’s Instagram tribute best reflected the feelings of those who proudly wore the Steelers black and gold under DMR’s leadership: “Dear Mr. Rooney, when we first met in 2010 you embraced me with open arms. You made me feel welcome. You looked at me as more than just another jersey number. One of the most genuine, and humble human beings I've had the pleasure of knowing. You motivated me not only to excel on the field but also in life. This season, the number 84 on my uniform will represent the 84 years you spent on this earth making an impact on the lives of others. I'll miss you my friend. Thank you for everything -AB

Dan Rooney (L) and Antonio Brown (R) https://www.instagram.com/p/BS1up8jATTV/?taken-by=ab

Dan Rooney wasn’t a saint; like any of us, he made mistakes. But he represented the very best a true athlete and human being has to offer the world. I dearly hope that others involved in sports will remember him and then try to emulate him. We need more Dan Rooneys in this world!

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SPORTS

COADY ROUNDBALL CLASSIC HITS THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE

BY DAVID SMITH GET READY FOR THE 27TH EDITION OF THE Coady Roundball Classic as hundreds of LGBTQ basketball players will descend on the city of Philadelphia on May 5 for the National Gay Basketball Association’s signature tournament.

The Coady Roundball Classic was formed in 1990 following Gay Games III held in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Gay Games has had a history of basketball competition since Gay Games I was launched in 1982. And by 1990 the event was undergoing a major expansion as athletes from the Vancouver area inspired by the event, sought to grow their own LGBTQ sporting community.

In 1989 the LGBTQ community of Long Beach, California had a series of informal and casual basketball groups that would get together to play for fun and camaraderie. In anticipation of the 1990 Gay Games, Mark Chambers formalized the ragtag gay basketball groups of Long Beach and turned them into the Lambda Basketball League.

The Gay Games clearly didn’t inspire just athletes from Vancouver and Long Beach, though. As hundreds of athletes from around the world also found themselves more inspired, a new niche of sport within the LGBTQ community started to grow.

After Gay Games III a man named Sam Coady organized the first annual gay basketball championship that became “The Windy City Classic.” It was a way to unite the Chicago LGBTQ sports community and bring basketball to more people.

Eventually Chambers handed over the Lambda Basketball League to Jason Jaramillo and went on to form the National Gay Basketball League that would later turn into the National Gay Basketball Association (NGBA). And by 2004 the Windy City Basketball Classic became the official national event for the newly-formed NGBA and was renamed to honor the original organizer, Sam Coady.

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After being held in Chicago for 25 years, the Coady Roundball Classic has expanded to other locations, starting with Las Vegas in 2016 and this year in Philadelphia.

As always, it will be an exciting weekend full of basketball, social events and parties throughout the city. Kicking off with a registration party on Friday, May 5, athletes can look forward to evenings of socializing and dancing with various guest DJs at local hangouts throughout Philadelphia.

The NGBA Awards Party will be held on Sunday, May 7 where the tournament division winners will be acknowledged for their accomplishments before everybody makes their way to the NGBA After Party to dance away the evening.

The tournament is being played at Philadelphia’s Competitive Edge Sports, a premier basketball destination in the area. There will be seven divisions offered, from Open A to Novice D and a free agent team will be available as well. Athletes can expect competitive play in a division appropriate for their ability level. With a diverse group of players of all shapes, sizes, gender identities, races, ethnicities and sexual orientations, the Coady Roundball Classic celebrates diversity at its finest through the sport of basketball.

In addition to the Coady Roundball Classic, many LGBTQ basketball players who often see each other at various LGBTQ sporting events, including the Gay Games and World OutGames, form wonderful friendships. It creates an opportunity for people to meet each other with a common purpose and goal through the sport of basketball.

Even among rival players these friendships can carry on for a lifetime, truly creating a one-of-a-kind community that isn’t constrained by space or time.

NGBA’s mission is to “Bring basketball to all the LGBT players of the world” and to build the sport of basketball for the LGBTQ basketball players, enabling them to speak with one voice within the larger LGBTQ sports community.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, it supports and encourages the formation of local LGBTQ basketball leagues throughout the U.S. Working closely with the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) and the Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association (GLISA), the licensing agent of the World OutGames, NGBA helps create opportunities for LGBTQ basketball players to compete at international events and have a positive impact on the LGBTQ community worldwide through basketball.

For more information go to: www.ngba.org.

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SPORTS

MY PERSONAL JOURNEY TO THE WORLD OUTGAMES MIAMI

BY DAVID SMITH THE PAST SIX-TO-NINE MONTHS, FROM THE END of 2016 into 2017, have definitely involved quite a bit of growth for me. After my successes in swimming at the 2016 International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics Championships (IGLA) in Edmonton, Alberta and the United States Master’s Swimming Summer Nationals in Oregon, it was time to decide where to focus my training. What would be my next events?

To be perfectly honest, the World Outgames wasn’t on my radar at that time. I had heard about people’s experiences at previous OutGames and, coupled with my own experiences at the 2015 EuroGames, the cancellation of the 2016 North American OutGames and the lack of any real early information about the upcoming 2017 World OutGames in Miami, I wasn’t entirely confident that the event would be worth my time and training.

While I accomplished a lot at the 2016 IGLA Championships and the 2016 U.S. Masters Swimming Summer National Championship, I knew I could do better; not just physically but mentally as well. I realized I didn’t have a “Champion’s Mindset” at the time. My poor attitude had carried over through both those events and into the fall

before I consciously recognized the problem and decided to change it.

I have several books on sports psychology that I started reading and found myself reflecting on my mindset during my most successful competitions and during my least successful ones. I was lucky to do so well at IGLA and Summer Nationals with even a poor attitude but I wasn’t going to let that carry me into 2017. I decided I could do better.

While attending the 2017 Sin City Shootout Sports Festival I had met with several representatives of the organizing committee for the 2017 World OutGames and after returning home, I decided to reach out to them for more information about the upcoming event. I also talked to members of the IGLA board since the 2017 IGLA Championships will also be hosted as a part of the OutGames. I asked many questions regarding the facility, fees, emphasis on the sports portion, timing, logistics and overall quality of the organization of the event itself. Feeling more optimistic after my talks with the various people involved, I decided to add the 2017 World OutGames to my race schedule.

Pictured above, Henry Beam, Beam Law, PLC

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| COMPETE | May 2017

For my training season this year I am taking a different approach. I am starting to focus more on my weaknesses in stroke and body position in the water. And since I am also taking the time to study kinesiology for an upcoming certification, I am applying new training principles and techniques to better develop my kick, specifically underwater dolphin kicks and flutter kicks. I am incorporating speed and agility training into my dryland program, the idea behind it is to better develop the anaerobic metabolic systems in my legs to become more efficient at energy recovery and increase my lactate threshold.

By incorporating agility training to develop the mobility and stability within my ankles, I am working to develop more power in the legs and coupling this with kicking drills in the water designed to elevate my hips and lower body to keep me horizontal on the water surface. In addition to training with good old fashioned fast and hard kicking sets, I have started to see significant progress with my kicking; it has gotten faster and smoother. To me, it feels more efficient.

My goal is to continue to train with my best effort. And to always have a “Champion’s Mentality� approach toward everything I do I am practicing mindfulness. This helps me to reduce training and race anxiety so I can focus on what skills and techniques I need to develop.

By training my best with what I have available, I can focus on becoming a stronger swimmer and a better

Courtesy of Robert A. Rice Photography athlete, elevating my standard at each event in which I compete. And by showing others that I always put in my best effort, hopefully I can encourage others to adopt the same kind of positive outlook. Change your mind and you change your life, or in this case, your race results.

www.CompeteNetwork.com

| COMPETE | 37

SPORTS

40 YEARS OF GAY SOFTBALL IN NORTH AMERICA

BY JEFF SLOAN ATHLETICS IN ITS PUREST SENSE PROVIDES A vehicle for recreation, teamwork, togetherness, friendships and family. These principles are exactly what the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) is all about. Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this organization and its flagship event, the Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) have grown significantly since its 1977 launch in San Francisco with just two teams.

Since then NAGAAA has grown steadily over its 40-year history, now boasting a record number of 46-membercities across the U.S. and Canada that serve as local and regional hubs for those wanting to play gay softball. Those member-city leagues represent over 17,000 players, both LGBTQ and ally athletes who want to compete in safe, inclusive and fun environments.

Speaking of records, the most recent GSWS in August 2016 set a new mark for the number of participating teams at a whopping 187. Yes, 187 teams! The event brought in over 5,000 athletes, coaches and fans to Austin, Texas and the upcoming GSWS will be held in Portland, Oregon.

This year’s trip to the Pacific Northwest will be the first GSWS held on the west coast since the 2008 tournament in Seattle, Washington.

The question has been asked many times; “Why is softball so popular in the NAGAAA Archives LGBTQ community across North America?” If you ask a random group of people you will probably get a variety of answers. But one thing that every gay softball player can agree on is that it is truly about the relationships a person forms when playing with a gay team.

Camaraderie is a wonderful component of all team sports. Teammates become friends, some become family and others become life partners or spouses. But in my opinion, there is something special about softball, something that volleyball, basketball and flag football don’t have – that’s a larger number of participants since softball teams are generally larger than teams in those other sports.

Up to 12 or more players can participate regularly during

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a game and, to me at least, that means that the feeling of family on local, national and international levels heightens the feeling of being included, of being connected to a large global family of athletes just like me. That’s a heady feeling!

When we look back at NAGAAA’s beginning, we have to appreciate the amount of strength and courage it took for those men and women to be “out” playing the sport they loved, to be openly gay in a time when that could destroy your life. For today’s younger generation it seems almost foreign to think that you couldn’t enjoy the sport you love because of who you love. But that was the reality in the late 1970s and for a good part of NAGAAA’s history. Social and civil rights struggles were the struggles of NAGAAA’s member-city leagues and their gay athletes. Fortunately, however, as the LGBTQ community has persevered over the years, so has NAGAAA. NAGAAA member-cities are as diverse as its membership. You’ll find large city leagues like Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego as well as leagues in smaller or more conservative cities like Sacramento, Kansas City, Des Moines and Birmingham. At a time when softball’s popularity seems to be declining, the growth of this organization is staggering. NAGAAA has seen its number of member-cities nearly double from 1999 to 2017 and this growth doesn’t look to be slowing anytime soon. In fact, the organization is currently speaking with several metropolitan cities in the Northeast and Canada about joining the fold in the near future.

The bottom line is that if you’re not playing softball, you probably know someone who is. And if you don’t know someone who’s playing softball then you should get out and see what all the fuss is about. Hear the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd, feel the excitement as someone hits a homer or steals a base and experience the fun of being part of a growing, supportive family. NAGAAA turns 40 this year and you only need to attend one practice, city league game or GSWS to discover why this organization is just getting started.

FITNESS

A SECRET WORKOUT FORMULA

BY BRYAN LEE IF YOU COULD IMPROVE YOUR SPORTS performance by using essential oils (EOs), would you do it?

If you could heal your minor sports injury without taking weeks off to recover, wouldn’t that be utterly amazing?

But does it work? After some research across a number of sources I learned that EOs are medicines from plants that are 50-to-70 times stronger than taking the herb form. For example, distance runner Amanda Brooks says that one drop of peppermint EO is equivalent to 28 cups of peppermint tea!

FIVE TOP ESSENTIAL OILS FOR ATHLETES There are a number of EOs that offer athletes a variety of positive outcomes from performance enhancement and relief from muscle aches to immune support and antimicrobial healing. But the five that seem to make most of these lists include the following: lavender, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus and clove.

1. Lavender is a great stress reliever. It helps relax the body while soothing and healing cuts, burns and bruises; it’s also great for a good night’s sleep before that important game.

2. Peppermint not only relieves nausea, indigestion and those pregame nervous jitters, it also improves mental alertness and concentration while relieving aches and pains, especially muscle and arthritis pains while improving respiratory function.

3. Lemon stimulates your nervous system performance and helps maintain good health. But it also elevates your mood, increasing positive feelings when you aren’t feeling quite up to par. Effective for treating/ preventing athlete's foot, it helps detoxify the body to maintain peak athletic performance.

4. Eucalyptus also helps your stamina and performance by improving respiratory function and its antiinflammatory abilities also reduce pain, leading to greater flexibility. When mixed in a spray bottle with water, you can keep your body cool at a game; it’s also good during your athletic match for “waking up” the body and mind, keeping your focus and concentration on the game.

5.

Clove keeps you healthy by increasing your white blood count and immune function. Since it helps to reduce inflammation, you wind up with reduced arthritis pain and improved flexibility.

And because it has antiseptic properties, it keeps your body clean, free from skin infections and able to fight athlete’s foot.

HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS Because of their concentrated strength, you always want to dilute EOs – DO NOT apply directly to your skin without diluting them and DO NOT ingest them (while there are a few you can ingest, this rule applies to most of the EOs).

According to Brooks, you can: • put 10 drops of the pure oil into hot water or a diffuser made for this purpose and inhale the essence • put 5-10 drops in a bath • put 5-10 drops on a hot water-soaked cloth and wrap it around the injured area • dilute the EO with a vegetable carrier oil, such as coconut, olive or grapeseed oil and massage sore muscles

ESSENTIAL OILS AREN’T CREATED EQUAL Like medications, not all oils are created equal. Since the FDA doesn’t regulate essential oils, there is no real control over the potency of the oils and it can widely vary, some only containing 5-10 percent of an EO. Before buying, do some research online or at a health food store to discover a high quality brand manufacturer of EOs. And be sure to read the labels. The truth really is that you get what you pay for – those less expensive oils made from lower quality ingredients or those that come prediluted simply don’t work as well as the pure oils.

Of course, it’s important to note that EOs should not be used in place of visiting a doctor. Since they have never been evaluated by the FDA, they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are ill, by all means, visit a physician.

But I have to admit that as an athlete, I am very intrigued by them. While I have not used them yet, I am going to look for ways to incorporate them into my daily life to see if I can witness the benefits for myself. I invite you to join me.

BRYAN LEE is a National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) certified personal trainer, life coach and author who has lost over 130 pounds. Please check with your personal physician before using these health and fitness tips.

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Maximum length when extended is 4.5 feet and slightly over 2 feet in length when collapsed. Plus, the durable tungsten/carbide tip and 7075-T6 grade aluminum allows for significant, ‘stabil’ support on a variety of hiking terrains use after use. $47.95

These large format boards offer the finest in visual aids for team communication for a variety of sports, including basketball, football, diamond (baseball), ice hockey, soccer, volleyball, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse and field hockey. Boards are a smaller compact size yet large enough for the entire team to see the play. With two writing surfaces – back for lineup, front for team communication – it has a lightweight handle making it easy for on-the-go use. It comes with a great pen clip with premium dry erase marker and is packaged in a reusable bag to protect the board when in transit. Produced in the U.S. with all first quality materials.

Distributed through sporting good stores and team dealers; to purchase, refer to the website for a list of dealers..

www.stabilgear.com

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SHOT SPOTZ BASKETBALL TRAINING MARKERS

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www.sportwrite.com

OVERTIME

EVENTS

FOR A FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS PLEASE VISIT COMPETENETWORK.COM/EVENTS

CURRENT EVENTS IN MAY AQUATICS 17th Annual Tsunami de Mayo Water Polo Tournament San Mateo, Calif., May 7

BASKETBALL Coady Roundball Classic #27 Philadelphia, May 5

BOWLING Sunshine Invitational Tournament Orlando, May 5

2017 Spring Fling Ft. Lauderdale, May 6-7 2017 City of Decatur Tournament Decatur, Ga., May 15-21 Long Beach Pride Doubles 15 Long Beach, May 20-21 Heart of Texas Classic (HOT 15) Austin, May 27-29 United States Gay Open 2017 San Francisco, May 27-29

VOLLEYBALL

RODEO

NAGVA Championships XXXV Columbus, May 26

Hot Rodeo 2017 Palm Springs, May 12-14

MULTI-SPORT

RUGBY

World OutGames Miami Miami, May 26-June 4

Colonial Cup 2017 Philadelphia, May 19-21

RUNNING

2017 DINING OUT FOR LIFE

Long Beach Pride Run Long Beach, Calif., May 21

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 27, the 2017 international date for the Dining Out For Life® event that supports local licensed AIDS service organizations in participating cities.

Created in 1991 by an Action Wellness (formerly ActionAIDS) volunteer in Philadelphia, Dining Out For Life has grown into an annual fundraising event that invites people to fight AIDS by dining out. Involving the generous participation of volunteers, corporate sponsors and restaurants, Dining Out For Life is now produced in more than 60 cities throughout the United States and Canada. In exchange for their financial support, restaurants are listed in a city-wide marketing campaign to increase customer traffic.

Now over 3,000 restaurants donate a portion of their proceeds from this one special day of dining to the licensed AIDS service agency in their cities. More than $4 million dollars a year is raised to support the missions of 60 outstanding HIV/AIDS service organizations throughout North America. And perhaps most important to many of the local volunteers, with the exception of the annual licensing fee of $1,150, all money raised by a local group stays in the area in which it’s raised.

Not all cities use the April 27 date; some hold it before or after this date so please be sure to check the city nearest you holding a Dining Out For Life event. President of the Dining Out For Life International Board of Directors for 2016-2017 is Brett Klein, longtime supporter of this event and a former Compete Magazine Community Hero.

Dining Out For Life International, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To see if your city is participating, go to www.diningoutforlife.com.

SOFTBALL NAGAAA Cup Columbus, May 6-7 Liberty Bell Classic Philadelphia, May 26-28 Big Peach Softball Tournament Atlanta, May 26-28 North Star Classic Minneapolis, May 27-28 Vegas Up All Night Las Vegas, May 27-28

TENNIS LA Open 2017 Burbank, Apr. 14-16 GLTA Grass Court Championships 2017 Rancho Mirage, May 4-7 Columbus Classic 2017 Columbus, May 5-7

Sports Club

Pat Gamble

Graphic Design and Marketing

at

Your Uptown Fitness Experience! www.sportsclubatcitysquare.com (Indian School Rd and 2nd Ave)

602-285-2929 44

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patgamble.com pgamble@mac.com

p (623) 252-5MAC

STYLE

BY BOBBY CILETTI, STYLE EDITOR

YOUR MIAMI BEACH STYLE GUIDE BOBBY IS A TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE EXPERT AND FOUNDER OF THEDAYSOFTHECHIC.COM. TWITTER @BOBBYCILETTI

FROM MAY 26 TO JUNE 4 THE POPULATION OF Miami will expand greatly to accommodate participants and attendees coming for the World OutGames (WOG) being held in Miami. Whether you are there for the WOG or simply there to experience the trendy world-famous spots like South Beach, Little Havana or Coconut Grove, you should have a guide to maintain your chic style. Here are my recommendations.

Miami is a delight for the senses but it can prove overwhelming for those not familiar with this vibrant beach city. With careful planning you can be prepared to get the most of out the Magic City, whose nickname derives from the city’s rapid growth and constant change. Although metamorphosis is at its heart, you will find these style tips are still relevant when it comes to Miami Beach.

STAY Top pick for accommodations is 1 Hotel South Beach.

This eco-chic resort is perfectly situated in mid-beach, conveniently located to all that the Miami Beach and South Beach hot spots have to offer. The calming interiors feature organic products, reclaimed wood, regionally-sourced materials and Triple Clear Filters on every tap, faucet and shower. You may find it hard to leave the property that provides everything you need under one roof, which includes a 14,000-square-foot Spartan gym as well as farm-to-table restaurants from Tom Colicchio and Plnthouse (correctly spelled) from famed plant-based chef Matthew Kenney.

SWIM Although 1 Hotel South Beach may have everything you need under one roof, you will have to head to its roof for the best pool experience in Miami Beach. The jaw dropping 26,000 square foot rooftop is for adults only and features a 110-foot long, ocean view swimming pool. Grab a cabana or daybed and prepare to hold court here all day. Who really needs the sand, anyway?

PACK By all means, pack a statement swimsuit. It is Miami, after all and it plays perfectly into the summer 2017 swimwear trend – bright, bold colors, striking patterns and metallics will all be huge on the beaches and at poolside this summer. It is also a good way to stand out from the crowd.

terrace as well as indoor seating for those who seek a climate-controlled environment.

GROOM While the humidity can be great for your skin, your hair is another story. So if you style your hair, you may need to switch up or add some product. Living Proof offers a hair primer that locks in style and keeps moisture from interfering … too much. A finishing hairspray could also be a good idea.

DRINK Bring your responsibility to the Matador Room. This Jean-Georges restaurant has some of the best cocktails in Miami. The circular restaurant has atmospheric mood lighting straight out of a Bond film and the adjacent lounge serves the same delicious drinks. If you love tequila, the hardest choice you make during your visit may be deciding between the Melisandre, Mexican Bull or Basil Jalepeño Margarita.

SELFIE The Wynwood Walls are the perfect backdrop for an urban art trek and a requisite selfie. The complex of graffiti and street-based wall art is located in downtown Miami so be prepared to order a ride. Since its inception in 2009, over 50 artists representing 16 countries have covered more than 80,000-square feet of walls. A word to the wise; go early to avoid too much traffic. Afterward, stop for the weekend brunch at R House. This casual and cool restaurant/lounge has an integrated gallery right in the heart of Miami's vibrant Wynwood arts district. Enjoy an eclectic, globallyinspired menu along with DJs and live music.

BOBBY SAYS: Splurge … but smartly. Miami Beach has gotten very expensive so be prepared to spend. But really think twice before shelling out. Investing in a good hotel will set you up for your time in Miami and provide you refuge from the masses. Think about your needs. Will you be out late? Will you need access? Plan in advance and set your expectations accordingly. And most of all, enjoy your stay in style!

EAT The Juvia rooftop restaurant is always a favorite.

Located atop the penthouse level of the Herzog & de Meuron parking garage on Lincoln Road, it makes the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle below. The contemporary Japanese, French and Peruvian cuisine features everything from crudos, a raw bar and perfectly prepared plates. The beauty of Juvia is its design, offering panoramic views of the city and a vertical garden from the open

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1 Hotel South Beach Rooftop Pool at Sunrise May 2017