Gay Bowl XIX

2019 GAY BOWL SPECIAL EDITION WWW.COMPETESPORTSDIVERSITY.COM

TABLE OF CONTENTS GAY BOWL 2019 ISSUE PUBLISHER/CEO Eric Carlyle, SDLT eric@competesportsdiversity.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR Connie Wardman, M.A., SDLT connie@competesportsdiversity.com OPERATIONS VICE PRESIDENT Jared Garduno, SDLT jared@competesportsdiversity.com This special 2019 Gay Bowl issue of Compete Magazine was created in partnership with the NGFFL and the NYGFL. 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 highquality issue unique to your organization and its special events. Send us an email at publications@competesportsdiversity.com MISSION STATEMENT Compete unites the world through sports.

Copyright © 2019 MEDIA OUT LOUD, LLC All Rights Reserved.

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DIRECTOR WELCOME 10 COMPETE WELCOME 11 NYGFL HISTORY: THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT DID! 16 NFL FOUNDATION NOW AN OFFICIAL SUPPORTER OF GAY BOWL XIX 18 EVENTS 20 MAP OF NEW YORK CITY

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22 RANDALL'S ISLAND FIELDS 26 HALL OF FAME 34 THANKS TO OUR PARTICIPATING TEAMS 36 THANK YOU TO OUR

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TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR WELCOME

Hey NGFFL Family!

Welcome

On behalf of the Gay Bowl XIX host committee and the New York Gay Football League (NYGFL), WELCOME TO NEW YORK! We have been hard at work for the past 18 months preparing for your arrival and we are so excited for you to be here for Gay Bowl XIX! We have an exciting tournament planned and hope you are ready to play football and have fun in our favorite city!

On Randall’s Island we have 16 fields lined and ready for the 60+ teams that will battle it out over the next 3 days. The referees are ready, the balls are pumped up and all that’s left is for you is to cleat up and put those flags on!

Off the field we have some great parties and mixers planned to mingle and meet new people while enjoying some of NYC’s best LGBTQ+ bars and areas. The host hotel is right in the middle of midtown and you are not far from Hell’s Kitchen (HK) and a short train ride from the West Village and the iconic Stonewall Inn. Whether you are looking a quick drag show in HK or to hang out with some ladies in the West Village, NYC has you covered.

While we are all here for one reason (to take home that trophy!), we also hope that you will take some time to take in the views, explore the city and have a little fun in the city we call home. Enjoy the nightlife, the sights and the shopping!

We are so excited for you all to experience all New York City has to offer. If anyone has any questions, comments or concerns, please reach out to me or anyone on the board. Good luck to everyone and have a great Gay Bowl!

Eric C. James Tournament Director www.CompeteSportsDiversity.com

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WELCOME FROM COMPETE

It’s a Small World: Now Let’s Play Football!

When the National Gay Flag Football League (NGFFL) played its first Gay Bowl in 2002 who knew the event would become one of the greatest spectacles in flag football.

This year the New York Gay Flag Football League will host NGFFL teams from around the country to play for the national championship. The event is sponsored by a number of prestigious companies, including the National Football League (NFL), the New York Giants and New York Jets Foundation. Play takes place at Randall’s Island Park.

To show you what a small world we’re living in, Randall’s Island Park is the sports complex where Compete Sports Diversity was founded. In 2006 I participated in the Bingham Cup, International Gay Rugby’s championship. The Bingham Cup was hosted by the New York Gotham Knights with play taking place on Randall’s Island Park. My cofounder and I noticed the real lack of media coverage at this international championship event and decided something needed to be done to change the situation. The result of that observation? Compete Magazine was born.

I have a real soft spot in my heart for Randall’s Island Park. I learned a lot in 2006 by playing rugby there and I am excited to learn new things this year as Gay Bowl plays out on the same fields. Yes, it’s a small world; now let’s play football!

With You,

Eric Carlyle, SDLT Publisher/CEO

eric@competesportsdiversity.com @CompeteEric

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HISTORY

From its Sunday games played at DeWitt-Clinton Park in 2004 with just six teams and 80 players to today, the New York Gay Football League (NYGFL) has grown into one of the largest leagues within the National Gay Flag Football League (NGFFL) family. And the New York crew is now celebrating a very special year!

2019 marks the NYGFL’s 15-year anniversary and the 10-year anniversary of its Women’s+ Division; it’s also hosting the Gay Bowl, the NGFFL's annual signature event, for the second time.

And when you throw in the fact that NYGFL members have been involved in multiple celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and World Pride NYC this year, it shows that league historian Mike Pinelli’s assessment of the fledgling group still applies: “a group of people celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime experience... achieved through a spirit of togetherness that has defined the league to this day.”

MISSION

The NYGFL’s mission “to cultivate an inclusive and diverse environment, breakdown stereotypes, eliminate prejudice and discrimination, and ultimately foster greater tolerance and empathy in our communities” is all very current sounding but the league members were practicing sports diversity long before it was the popular thing to do. Even though prior attempts to create a gay flag football league in the New York City area failed, this league has succeeded in spectacular fashion.

From its very first season this group has led the way in player inclusion, diversity and acceptance as well as LGBTQ+ community participation and support. In its first season it had a straight player, Alon Hacohen; it also had women who played, including Joanne Rizzi who played for the entire first season; members even participated in an episode of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” I think of the many stories I’ve written about members of the NYGFL for Compete and one thing is constant; their passion and appreciation for this league is always deeply felt. Their individual personalities and backgrounds may vary – ffrom the intensely determined league founder Cyd Zeigler to Tony award-winning-producer-turned NYGFL documentarian Seth Greenleaf and business owner and vocal LGBTQ+ advocate Sam Lehman to the more laidback personality of bi-racial Shigeo Iwamiya, and pioneer activists like transgender pioneer Molly Lenore and

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HISTORY

retired NFL player Wade Davis – but all of them have spoken in almost reverent terms about finding a family with the NYGFL. The league has become a pillar within the LGBTQ+ community, building strong relationships with local sponsors, fellow sports leagues and the New York City non-profit community. And in the process, they have raised thousands of dollars for non-profits. Carrying on the passion and commitment of its founding members, today’s members are now a fixture at the New York City Pride March and they also volunteer at the annual Pier Dance festival Today’s NYGFL roster of 24 teams and a community of 350 active players breaks down as follows: Open Division (16 teams/250 players/refs) and Women’s+ Division (8 teams/100 players/refs), making it one of the largest leagues in the country. It’s a far cry from the original six teams and 80 players but today’s level of play is still just as intense!

Consistently fielding teams in regional flag football tournaments, the NYGFL has become a mainstay at Gay Bowl and numerous annual competitions across the U.S. And the league is proud that many of its players and referees have become staples of both the NGFFL board and the NGFFL Hall of Fame.

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Off the field the league is just as committed to its players by maintaining that important sense of family. The NYGFL social calendar has year-round events that include regular outings to LGBTQ+ nights at major NYC sporting teams – the Mets, Knicks and Brooklyn Nets where the league takes over entire sections of seating.

Their commitment to community in their beloved New York City and within the league they love is fueled by a determination to be a positive force both in the lives of NYGFL members and its larger community. In a city that can be overwhelming to newcomers, the NYGFL provides LGBTQ+ New Yorkers with a welcoming, affirming circle of friends.

The NGFFL’s long-term vision for growth rests on supporting the growth of memberships and leagues, developing national partnerships and giving back more than the organization takes in – something the NYGFL and other successful leagues have always intuitively practiced. As you read this, you may already be at Gay Bowl XIX and caught up in the wonderful energy that is the signature of this annual event. But at its core is the reflection of the NYGFL members and their desire to make you feel welcome. No wonder gay flag football continues to grow!

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NFL SUPPORT

NFL now an official supporter of Gay Bowl xix

BY BRIAN PATRICK

For the very first time, the National Football League (NFL) as a corporate entity has come on as an official sponsor for Gay Bowl XIX! This is an exciting first for the National Gay Flag Football League (NGFFL) and this year’s Gay Bowl XIX host, the New York Gay Football League (NYGFL)!

With the growing social impact of the sports diversity movement, some individual NFL teams have given financial support to their local LGBTQ+ sports leagues and Pride events.

But as an annual tournament that travels to a different city each year, the Gay Bowl didn’t receive local team support until 2017. That year Gay Bowl XVII received money from its local NFL team, the New England Patriots. And team owner Robert Kraft and son made an appearance at the after party.

Next year’s Gay Bowl XVIII held in Denver also got some money from its hometown team, the Denver Broncos.

But until now the NFL has never contributed officially to the Gay Bowl, the now iconic gay version of the Super Bowl.

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Following

the

example

of

the

Patriots and Broncos, the local New York NFL teams, the Giants and Jets are also sponsoring Gay Bowl XIX, joining with the NFL. The tournament is being played on the Randall’s Island fields from October 11-13.

All those involved in the Gay Bowl at every level hope that this exciting event signals a growing respect for LGBTQ+ sports as well as a growing connection between all athletes, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

A portion of the money raised at each tournament goes to a charity chosen by the host city, host city board

and tournament committee

to be given to a local non-profit.

This year members in charge of this decision announced that the HetrickMartin Institute (HMI), well known for its important work with LGBTQ+ youth in the New York City area, is its official philanthropic partner of Bowl XIX.

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Gay

GAY BOWL EVENTS

EVENTS For the most up to date events visit: http://gaybowl.org/events TUESDAY, OCT. 8TH LGBT Sports Panel & Mixer |6:30pm - 11pm Boxers | Chelsea 37 W 20th St, New York, NY 10011 The NYGFL along with NGFFL will be hosting a Panel with some of the most influential LGBTQ+ athletes in the game.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9TH Pre-Tournament Meet N Greet GYM Sports Bar | Chelsea 167 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011 Let’s kick off Gay Bowl XIX before we officlay get the party started with long time local sponsor GYM Bar! Party kicks off at 7pm with drink specials all night long and make sure you look at the screens because we will be showing the documentary Flag Football!

THURSDAY, OCT. 10TH Pre-Tournament Meetings | 10am - 9pm Sheraton Times Square 811 7th Avenue, W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019 Registration | 12pm - 5pm Sheraton Times Square 811 7th Avenue, W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019 Note: Registration will also be available at the fields on Friday Gay Bowl XIX Opening Party | 7pm - 11pm Blackbox at the Playboy Club | Times Square 512 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036 Join us as we officially kick off Gay Bowl XIX in New York City at the fabulous Black Box at The Playboy Club. Free admission with the official Gay Bowl XIX wrist band, $10 without.

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GAY BOWL EVENTS FRIDAY, OCT. 11TH All Day Games Randall’s Island Friday Night Party Open Division | 7pm - 11pm Rebar | Chelsea 225 w 19th Street NY, NY 10011 After the first day of games, head on down to the Chelsea neighborhood to local naughty bar, Rebar, for a night out with the boys! Free admission with official Gay Bowl XIX wrist band all night!

Friday Night Party Women’s+ Division | 6pm-10pm Henrietta Hudson Bar & Girl | West Village 438 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014 Come on down to Henrietta Hudson’s for the first of two very special Women’s+ Division Gay Bowl XIX parties!! No Cover for NYGFL or Gay Bowl XIX participants.

SATURDAY, OCT 12TH Saturday Night Party - Open Division | 7pm - 11pm Industry, Hell's Kitchen 355 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019 Saturday night, we are back to Hell’s Kitchen at mega bar, Industry!

We hope you plan on bringing your neon because this will be a NEON PARTY! Free admission with officical Gay Bowl XIX wrist band, $5 without until 11pm.

Saturday Night Party - Women’s+ Division | 7pm-11pm Bar Nine 225 w 19th Street NY, NY 10011 Head to Bar Nine for an epic celebration with Women+ from across the country!

No Cover for NYGFL and Gay Bowl XIX. SUNDAY, OCT 13TH Closing Party | 7pm - 1am Stage 48 605 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036 You’ve waited all weekend for this... The official Closing Party of Gay Bowl XIX is at the legendary Stage 48 on the west side on Manhtten. Immerse yourself in the best of what NYC has to offer with performances all night long, great music and most importantly, great people. Free admission with the official Gay Bow XIX wrist band, $10 without. www.CompeteSportsDiversity.com COMPETE 19

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NEW YORK CITY MAP

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HALL OF FAME

Darrel Bayani’s efforts to create and maintain football in San Francisco have spanned over 25 years. A founding member of the San Francisco Gay Flag Football League (SFGFFL), Darrel also partnered with NGFFL founders Jim Buzinski and Cyd Zeigler to organize the first Gay Super Bowl in 2002. While working in NY in 2001, Darrel helped create the New York Warriors flag football team which has won four Gay Bowl Championships in its history.

On what being a Hall of Fame member means to him: “Being a Hall of Famer to me means that everything we hoped we could achieve from Gay Bowl I has happened. We have grown from a few teams getting together

HALL OF FAME to play football to where we’ve had so many amazing contributors that we have a Hall of Fame. In a speech at Gay Bowl II in San Francisco, I challenged everyone in attendance to keep making each tournament better than the last. Everyone delivered! Being a Hall of Famer means everything to me!”

Tyler Foerster has been a player, coach, and leader in the NGFFL for the past 10 years. He started in Chicago from 2009 to 2014, playing and coaching for the local and travel teams. He relocated to San Diego, where he helped lead the San Diego Bolts to win three of their five Gay Bowl Championships. As Commissioner of the San Diego American Flag Football League (SDAFFL), Tyler and his Board received San Diego’s highest LGBT Honor with the Nicky Award for Most Outstanding LGBT Sports Organization for 2018. He was also named Compete Magazine’s Most Inspiring Athlete of 2015.

On what being a Hall of Fame member means to him: “This award being the highest honor recognized in this league makes it above and beyond more special than any achievement I’ve accomplished. I was at the first Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony back in 2010 at Gay Bowl X in Phoenix. To think exactly 9 years later I would be receiving this award leaves me absolutely speechless.”

Jodie Turner has been a member of the Denver Gay and Lesbian Flag Football League (DGLFFL) for 8 years, boasting 15 seasons as a player, referee, and board member. She captains the Denver Mile High Club (MHC), the preeminent women’s team in the NGFFL, having won every Women’s Division Championship since the division began at Gay Bowl XII in 2012.

On what being a Hall of Fame member means to her: “Being a Hall of Famer is an incredible honor that is really hard to put into words. It recognizes the success of the Mile High Club (MHC) under my leadership.

It also makes me reflect on the past eight years that I have been in the DGLFFL. I have continued to encourage the MHC women to be involved as leaders in the DGLFFL. I am also very big on giving back to our community, which is why MHC has now started to host events to donate to charity. I am so grateful to everyone that has been a part of this journey with me.”

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PROUD SUPPORTERS OF GAY BOWL XIX

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CONGRATULATIONS TO COMPETE'S 2018 MARK BINGHAM ATHLETE OF THE YEAR NEW YORK'S OWN SAM LEHMAN www.CompeteSportsDiversity.com

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THANK YOU PARTNERS! PRESENTING PARTNERS

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COMPETE GAY BOWL XIX TOURNAMENT GUIDE SUPPORTERS Compete would like to thank the following businesses for supporting the tournament guide.

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Silver Package Advertisers Mercedes Club Vada Spa

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TEAMS

TO GAY BOWL XIX PARTICIPATING TEAMS

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