Northwestern Hosts LGBT+ Inclusion and Ally Kickball Game
6/21/2017 1:39:00 PM | Academic Services & Student Development, King NU P.R.I.D.E. Program
EVANSTON, Ill. —The Northwestern Department of Athletics and Recreation (NUDAR) hosted its inaugural LGBT+ Inclusion and Ally kickball game on Sharon J. Drysdale Field on May 16, 2017.
The event served as an introduction for the department's Northwestern Athlete Alliance, a group committed to providing an affinity space for our LGBT student-athletes, staff, and allies. Its mission is to unite our athletics community through social gatherings where members can increase visibility, learn from one another's experiences, and work to embody NUDAR's inclusion statement.
In 2016, Northwestern was announced as one of three institutions to partner with LGBTSportSafe, an organization that recognizes institutions committed to LGBT inclusion from a programming, policy, and public awareness standpoint.
Dr. Eric Lueshen, a co-founder of LGBTSportSafe and openly-gay former collegiate football student-athlete, attended and participated in the inaugural event, which was spearheaded and driven by Northwestern's Engage Student Executive Board.
The kickball game featured a team of student-athletes versus a team comprised of NUDAR coaches and staff. In addition to a spirted game of kickball, attendees heard messages from Dr. Lueshen, student-athletes, and coaches on the importance of the Northwestern Athlete Alliance and NUDAR's support of the LGBT+ community.
This game was followed up by a LGBTQ Ally Training provided to our staff, coaches & administration later in the week through Northwestern University's Office of Campus Inclusion and Community.
The student-athletes edged the staff team by a run and a full list of participants is below:
The event served as an introduction for the department's Northwestern Athlete Alliance, a group committed to providing an affinity space for our LGBT student-athletes, staff, and allies. Its mission is to unite our athletics community through social gatherings where members can increase visibility, learn from one another's experiences, and work to embody NUDAR's inclusion statement.
In 2016, Northwestern was announced as one of three institutions to partner with LGBTSportSafe, an organization that recognizes institutions committed to LGBT inclusion from a programming, policy, and public awareness standpoint.
Dr. Eric Lueshen, a co-founder of LGBTSportSafe and openly-gay former collegiate football student-athlete, attended and participated in the inaugural event, which was spearheaded and driven by Northwestern's Engage Student Executive Board.
The kickball game featured a team of student-athletes versus a team comprised of NUDAR coaches and staff. In addition to a spirted game of kickball, attendees heard messages from Dr. Lueshen, student-athletes, and coaches on the importance of the Northwestern Athlete Alliance and NUDAR's support of the LGBT+ community.
This game was followed up by a LGBTQ Ally Training provided to our staff, coaches & administration later in the week through Northwestern University's Office of Campus Inclusion and Community.
The student-athletes edged the staff team by a run and a full list of participants is below:
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