It’s great seeing athletes’ names on Out magazine’s Out 100 list again this year, but the most exciting to me, albeit a couple years late, is the inclusion of a pair of soccer players, Abby Wambach and Robbie Rogers. Both came out publicly in 2013. One would think they would have been recognized in 2013 or 2014 but better late …
Why soccer? Soccer is worldwide the most-followed sport. This makes visibility opportunities for LGBT players greater than for all other sports. That does not diminish that an out athlete in any sport can be a positive influence, especially to those fans of the more select sports.
There are scads of other athletes who came out this past year, from figure skaters to swimmers to runners to a lacrosse coach. To be honest, I find many more of these sports figures to be as, if not more, deserving of an Out100 recognition than the usual high-profile names. These “Out 6” already have high profiles. Why not make the melting pot even more diverse?
Soccer fans in Philadelphia have had the Union for a few years now, and even though the naysayers predicted Chester wouldn’t draw regular crowds, PPL Park consistently approaches sell-out status. The Philadelphia Falcons are frequently known to go en masse to a home game. If you have any interest in going to a game and don’t want to brave alone your first foray into Union soccer, follow falcons-soccer.org next spring and you’re sure to find a posting to go along.
Of special note, the Union hosts its first 5K Run/Walk starting at 10 a.m. Dec. 6 in and around PPL Park. Participants are encouraged to dress “holiday-like.” Proceeds will benefit a toy drive for Chester County residents. More information can be found at philadelphiaunion.com.
The other four on the out list were high-school basketball player Dalton Maldonado, swimmer Diana Nyad, Princeton football player Mason Darrow and former Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner.
Short stops
• Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association is holding a play and party fundraiser 7-10 p.m. Nov. 21 at Riverwinds Golf and Tennis Club, 270 Eagle Point Road, West Deptford, N.J. If you don’t play, just come and play! Registration is $35 at the door, or $30 in advance; Facebook search PLTA.
• Sunday Funday with the Spartans Wrestling Club! Join your favorite grapplers from 2-5 p.m. Nov. 22. They are looking for new members, and the most recent new member, Evan Sorg, will be your bartender. Singlets welcomed.
• CBLSL will host the second-annual Jingle Bell bar crawl Dec. 5, with proceeds benefitting an as-yet-to-be-determined nonprofit; CBLSL.org.
We’re looking for holiday or other themed parties for a delightful all-photo sports section around the end of the year. Email [email protected] for your organization to be included.