WELCOME HELLO PRIDE BOWL! The Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association thanks you for participating in the 12th edition of the best LGBT Flag Football tournament in the United States. We welcome the players, officials and fans who have joined us from all over North America this year. We would like to extend a special welcome to the Minnesota Lumberjocks who are participating in their first Pride Bowl as an NGFFL city. When things get amped up on the field, may we all be Minnesota Nice to each other. Pride Bowl strengthens existing bonds and makes new connections through sport. This year our new Friday format will allow for matchups between teams that have not traditionally played each other in past Pride Bowls. We have also added consolation brackets on Saturday to provide additional opportunities for teams to compete against similarly skilled teams. We are grateful to our sponsors who are opening their venues, volunteering their staffs, providing products and aiding us financially to keep the tournament accessible to everyone. Thank you for your commitment to showing all our visitors the vibrancy and welcoming spirit of Chicago. All of the athletes attending Pride Bowl are ready to give their all on the field. Thank you to the referees who keep these athletes safe and the gameplay equitable. Many times this weekend these referees will have to carry the weight of keeping a cool head and making the correct calls. We truly could not have a successful tournament without your commitment to “Team Zebra.” This event only happens with the time, energy and dedication of many people. All these people are worthy of a toast (or a free drink): • Matt Simpson, Commissioner of CMSA Flag Football & Pride Bowl Field Director • Shawn Albritton, Director of Officiating • AJ Canzolino, Tournament Operations • Dan Hoppe, Assistant to Mr. Herek • Dusty Carpenter, Sponsorship Coordinator • Scott Neu and Austin Grant, Marketing/Graphic Design • Michael Erwin, CMSA President and the CMSA Board of Directors In light of the 50th anniversary of the events at Stonewall, a flag football tournament seems trivial. Yet part of the ongoing struggle that sparked that night was and is about allowing people of every sexual orientation and gender identity to pursue their passions freely and without fear of repercussion. As we take to the fields this weekend, we hope that your time in Chicago is a celebration of your passion for sports and of the unique individuals that each of you are. Best of luck this weekend,
Matt Herek Tournament Director
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10 COMPETE 2019 Pride Bowl Special Edition
