Issuu

2021 PRIDE BOWL SPECIAL EDITION

WWW.COMPETENETWORKCOM

PRIDE BOWL 2021 ISSUE COMPETE SPORTS DIVERSITY PUBLISHER Eric Carlyle, SDLT eric@competenetwork.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Connie Wardman, M.A., SDLT connie@competenetwork.com

2021 Pride Bowl Special Edition

VICE PRESIDENT Jared Garduno, SDLT jared@competenetwork.com

5 MAYOR'S LETTER

This special issue of Compete was created in partnership with CMSA Pride Bowl. If your organization produces or hosts a run, tournament, sports festival, awards ceremony or other type of event, please contact Compete today to find out how we can partner to produce a high-quality issue unique to your organization and its special events. Email us at publications@competenetwork.com

Lori Lightfoot, Chicago Mayor

7 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 8 WELCOME LETTER Matt Herek, Tournament Director

Compete Unites the World Though SportsTM Copyright © 2021 MEDIA OUT LOUD, LLC All Rights Reserved. Corporate Office 6991 E Camelback Rd., Ste. D-300 Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 800-489-1274 Compete is a trademark of Media Out Loud, LLC

10 FIELDS 12 WELCOME LETTER

Compete Sports Diversity

14 GAY BOWL XXI COMES TO TEMPE 17 COMPETE DIRECTORY CARD

www.CompeteNetwork.com

| COMPETE | 3

PROUD PARTNER OF THE COMPETE SPORTS DIVERSITY COUNCIL

WELCOME

www.CompeteNetwork.com

| COMPETE | 5

asanaseries.org

SCHEDULLE OF EVENTS

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS PRIDE BOWL: T-SHIRT RELEASE AND OPENING NIGHT Thursday June 24th 6 pm - 10 pm Sidetrack, 3349 Nn Halsted

PRIDE BOWL DAY 1 Friday June 25th 7:30 am – 5 pm Montrose Soccer Fields 4400 N. Lakeshore Drive

HAPPY HOUR Friday June 25th 4 pm - 8 pm North End 3733 N Halsted

SELECTION SHOW Friday June 25th 7 pm - 10 pm Bracket reveal approx. 9 pm Replay 3439 N. Halsted

PRIDE BOWL DAY 2 Saturday June 26th 7:30 am – 3:30 pm Montrose Soccer Fields 4400 N. Lakeshore Drive

AWARDS CELEBRATION Saturday June 26th 7:30 pm Pride in the Park Hard Rock Casino Stage

www.CompeteNetwork.com

| COMPETE | 7

WELCOME

GREETINGS PRIDE BOWL UNIVERSE! When we concluded Pride Bowl 2019, none of us would have expected the unintended adventure the intervening 24 months would become. And yet, here are we are fired up and ready to go for the first national LGBT inclusive flag football tournament since January of 2020. This tournament would not happen without the leadership and trust of the local leaders in each city. Thank you for your patience as we pulled together the pieces and solved the Pride Bowl puzzle. We know that it could not have been easy to kickstart your teams and align everyone for their first travel football experience in 18 months. I would also like to thank my colleagues on the board of directors of the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association. The board has deftly navigated the obstacles of the past year. The care they have shown for the health and safety of our players has allowed us to stay on the fields for the sports we love, and ultimately to welcome each of you to Chicago this weekend.

8 COMPETE 2021 Pride Bowl Special Edition

WELCOME Thank you to Dusty Carpenter for stepping up early on and arranging for our awards ceremony to be a part of Pride in the Park. Dusty is a top-notch event producer and Pride Bowl partner, we are excited to be with him and his team at this new Pride weekend tradition. To our friends at Sidetrack, Hydrate, and The North End, we know these have been challenging times for your businesses, and your dedication and partnership of this event is noticed and treasured. Finally, to my “kitchen cabinet” who I depend on to fuel the engine of the tournament: Derek Wooten, Brian Golden, R McKinney, Matt Simpson, AJ Canzolino, Shawn Albritton, and Matthew Ardoin. Thank you for bringing your enthusiasm for the tournament to the table these past months. My first involvement in Pride Bowl was exactly ten years ago. I am just as excited for kickoff on Friday as I was back in 2011. It feels truly right for us to be here together in the greatest city in the world. Best of luck this weekend, I hope you have the choicest of experiences and make memories that last a lifetime. Yours in football,

Matt Herek Tournament Director

www.CompeteNetwork.com

| COMPETE | 9

FIELDS

MONTROSE FIELDS W. MONTROSE AVE. & N. LAKESHORE DR.

10 COMPETE 2021 Pride Bowl Special Edition

www.CompeteNetwork.com

| COMPETE | 11

WITH YOU

Football is Back – And

Bigger Than Ever!

We are so glad to be back on the fields for Gay Bowl XIII! We know the work that the Gay Bowl organizers and teams have put in to bring football back to Chicago after a long year of COVID-19 restrictions. One of the best things about Gay Bowl is that it happens every year during Pride Weekend. And this year it’s extra special because of the work the NFL as a league and many of the individual team owners are now investing into honoring diversity. I can remember just a few short years ago when professional sports organizations wouldn’t take our calls. And now they’re calling us – what an exciting change! Compete is grateful to be part of this amazing event and to be part of the great LGBTQIA+ sports community. We’re here both for and because of athletes and fans like you. Please be sure to check out more football stories online at competenetwork.com. To all of you, we say thank you and good luck this weekend. And whether or not you’re wearing a face mask, be sure to have fun and show your Pride. With You,

@CompeteEric

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

12 COMPETE 2021 Pride Bowl Special Edition

GAY BOWL XXI COMES TO TEMPE

GAY BOWL XXI COMES TO

TEMPE

With a welcoming history and diverse spirit, Tempe, Arizona has been selected to host the fabulous athletes of the National Gay Flag Football League (NGFFL). Serving as one of the state's most progressive cities when it comes to inclusive policies and equal treatment, it's also the home of Arizona State University so fun is always just around the corner.

14 COMPETE 2021 Pride Bowl Special Edition

Tempe has a unique downtown that is like no other in Arizona. Shop, see a Broadway show, take a hike or paddle down the lake. When the sun goes down, Mill Avenue comes to life. When you’re ready to turn it up for the night you can sip on craft cocktails on a rooftop, sing the night away at a dueling piano or even test your skills on a mechanical bull. No matter your vibe there’s no wrong way to spend an evening on Mill. All the excitement is within a mile radius. While fall is invading most of North America, you’ll need to pack your sunscreen and bathing suit. Tempe’s average temperature in October is a beautiful 87 degrees and it boasts 296 days of SUN SUN SUN! So mark your calendar for September 30 - October 3 and get ready to connect, compete and unite in the equally fabulous city of Tempe! www.CompeteNetwork.com

| COMPETE | 15

FROM THE ADVERTISER

Happy Trails CBD is a small collective of like-minded individuals who are passionate about the healing powers of the plant. We have a strong desire to educate on the potential health benefits cannabinoids and aim to bring awareness to the idea that the body’s ability to heal itself is possible with the right information, tools, and mindset. We believe in a whole-hearted and holistic approach to living; where mind, body, and spirit are working optimally as one. Nestled in the heart of Roscoe Village, we are a one-of-a-kind specialty store and gathering place where you can learn about all things CBD. Cannabinoid therapy has been shown to provide tremendous relief for: • Addiction • Insomnia • Muscle Recovery • Nausea • Anxiety • ADD/ADHD • Depression • Mood disorders • Low libido • Inflammation Studies have shown that somewhere between 30-60% of the LGBTQIA community has struggled with anxiety or depression at some point. This rate is 1.5 to 2.5 times higher than that of our straight or gender-conforming counterparts. It’s a strikingly high number, and it raises a lot of questions. Happy Trails CBD not only offers therapeutic and beneficial options for your mind and body but we will always extend our camaraderie, pride, strength, friendship, and love to the community and supportive allies. If you've got the curiosity, we've got the compassion.

Stop in for your cannabinoid consult with someone from our knowledgeable and spirited team. If you’d prefer a private consult, please give us a call at 773-687-9721 for scheduling.