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Outsports
Groups of the Year
We got many
nominations for the Outsports Group of the Year. When deciding on
the winners, we focused on two things: 1) Excellence in building the
team or league and performing on the field of play; 2) Positively
affecting and supporting the greater gay community.
To be nominated,
the group must have been focused on building an organization that
creates opportunities for people to play sports. We excluded events
from this category, though those men and women who organize such
events as the IGLFA Championships, Outgames, Gay Games, Gay Softball
World Series and others should be recognized for their excellence
every year they put forth a top-notch event.
Cyd Zeigler and Jim
Buzinski chose the winners from nominations sent in December.
Outsportsmen of the Year
|
Place |
Logo |
Name |
Nominating Statement |
|
1 |
 |
Colorado
Climax hockey
Denver, Colo. |
From the
Editors: Steve Coppola and the Colorado Climax have been
on our radar screen since we started Outsports. Since then,
we have watched this organization go from a one-team wonder
to a three-team powerhouse that continues to challenge -
and, literally, fight - stereotypes on the ice.
From the Nominating
Statement: The Colorado Climax Hockey organization
continued to enjoy an unrivaled tradition of excellence on
and off the ice in 2005. The Climax won its third
championship in its five-year history in the largest
mainstream hockey league in the United States, an
unprecedented accomplishment in GLBT hockey, if not in GLBT
sports. Four Climax players finished among the top eight in
scoring in the division of 132 players. The Climax also
captured the Silver medal at the 2005 Coors Cup in Los
Angeles, the largest GLBT hockey tournament in the world.
Off ice the Climax maintained high-visibility participation
in both gay and mainstream philanthropic activities. For the
second year in a row, Climax teams participated in the Fire
and Ice Challenge Cup in Lakewood, Colo., a benefit for the
son of a local fireman whose son suffers from incurable
cystic fibrosis. For the fifth year in a row, the Climax
provided volunteer services for PrideFest, the largest
annual fundraiser for the GLBT Center of Colorado; in the
PrideFest parade; and in the 18th Annual AIDS Walk Colorado,
the largest AIDS fundraiser in the Rocky Mountain Region
benefiting the Colorado AIDS Project. Members of the Climax
also provide weekly volunteer services for Project Angel
Heart, which provides meals to people living with HIV/AIDS,
cancer and other life-threatening illnesses in Denver and
Colorado Springs. The Climax organization proudly and
publicly models the spirit of diversity, community and
athletic competition while raising the visibility of
successful, vibrant and involved GLBT sports and athletes. |
|
2 |
 |
DC
Aquatics Club
Washington, D.C. |
DCAC has become the most
dominant gay and lesbian swim team over the last ten years.
We won the 2005 International gay and lesbian championships
in Atlanta again this year, almost doubling the score of the
second place team. This was our fourth win in a row (2001,
2003, 2004) and eight overall (1995, 1996, 1997, 1999). Our
team also organizes an annual swim for life, an open water
swim to raise money for local AIDS and other charities. This
year, we raised thousands of dollars. We also do a Toys For
Tots Christmas drive at our annual holiday party. |
|
3 |
 |
Washington Renegades rugby
Washington, D.C. |
2005 was the
most successful year ever for the Washington Renegades rugby
team. The team finished the year in November by winning the
East Coast Rugby Invitational tournament in New York
unbeaten and unscored upon, beating two gay teams and a
straight men's team by a combined score of 98-0. The
Renegades B side also did well at the tournament. The team
provided over 5,000 volunteer hours at three major DC gay
events. In addition, the team sponsored a Little League team
that shared the team's practice field, held a back-to-school
school supply drive, and donated over 100 toys to a local
neighborhood elementary school in Dupont Circle. |
|
HM |
 |
Downtown Soccer Toronto
Toronto |
Some of the group's highlights:
- They've only existed for two years as an official league -
They've got a membership of 120 people - They're Toronto's
first gay and lesbian mixed recreational soccer league -
They've fundraised and boosted sporting within their
community |
|
HM |
 |
International Gay Bowling
Organization |
"I covered their yearly
championship tourney this past May, and it was an AMAZING
event. What a history, what an organization, what love! The
levels of competition, the support, the true sportsmanship
makes IGBO a truly honorable organization." |
|
HM |
 |
Chicago
MSA
Chicago, Ill. |
"Chicago MSA is
the largest LGBT sports organization in the Midwest and one
of the largest in the world. With more than 3,000
dues-paying members, Chicago MSA runs leagues and
tournaments in Bowling, Flag Football, Softball, Tennis,
Volleyball and Badminton. ... They have an impressive list
of accomplishments during 2005 as well as a league that sets
the standard for LGBT sports worldwide." |
|
HM |
 |
Mirabar Grind
softball team
Providence, R.I. |
"The Mirabar Grind is part of
the Renaissance City Softball League. They were the team
that went to the Gay Softball World Series in San Diego last
August. Not only did they win the championship in their own
league, but they also placed third in the "C" division of
the World Series. Their enthusiasm and dedication to the
game and each other was noticeable ... evidenced by the
congratulations notes sent to the first and second placed
teams and the leagues of those teams by the pitcher and
other players." |
|
HM |
 |
Independent Billiard League of Houston, Inc.
Houston, Texas |
"For the past
nine years the members of this organization have sponsored a
fundraising event known as “Houston Billiard Open (HBO),”
which each year has benefited one of the various AIDS
Service Organizations in the Houston area. Thousands of
dollars have been raised over these nine years and this year
there is a new board and an even greater commitment to this
effort." |
|
HM |
 |
Chicago Flames Football
Chicago, Ill. |
"The Flames have been attending
the Gay Bowl four times. They finished 2nd place twice, tied
for 3rd once, and finally broke through this year to win the
title." |
|
HM |
 |
Triangle Martial Arts Association
San Francisco, Cal. |
"TMAA is a
community-based non-profit that directly interacts with the
LGBTQ Community as well as the general community. Triangle
Martial Arts Assoc. has received grants and recognition from
such respected and diverse groups as The Sisters of
Perpetual Indulgence, the California State Assembly, the
Merchants of Upper Market and Castro, to name a few." |
|
HM |
 |
Dragons Rugby RFC
Chicago, Ill. |
"I would vote for the Dragons
Gay Rugby league in Chicago as the best gay sports team
playing in a straight league. The players continually play
aggressively and passionately despite the difficult
competition and having mostly inexperienced players. They
not only play rugby but have been a big supporter in the
community. I have met many friends from this league." |
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