Story from April 7, 2008

By Ross Forman

When the junior varsity girls softball team at Detroit Country Day (High) School opens its season April 9, the new head coach will be an alum with a storied sporting past – albeit in baseball and football: openly gay former Washington University two-sport athlete Adam Goslin. The 24-year-old moved from St. Louis to Rochester Hills, Mich., in early March to accept the job, his first-ever coaching girls.

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“I love coaching; I definitely have not ruled it out (long-term),” said Goslin. “Both of my parents are teachers, and I think coaching is just an extension of teaching. It’s thrilling.”
Goslin also will be an assistant coach for the varsity, working with catchers and infielders.
“I’m using the same drills that I normally would do in baseball and just relying on everyone else to help me with the little differences (between baseball and softball),” he said. “I’ve already learned so much.”
Including who The Jonas Brothers are: a pop-rock band from New Jersey, comprised of brothers Joseph, Nicholas, and Kevin Jonas. They opened for Miley Cyrus on her 54-date Best of Both Worlds Tour and kicked off their Look Me In The Eyes Tour in late-January. The Jonas Brothers are super hot among the freshmen and sophomore girls at Detroit Country Day, Goslin has learned.
Goslin was recommended for the job by a friend; and the school’s varsity head coach, John Meyers, was his former high school advisor.
The school knows he is gay and it is not an issue, he said. “If the subject ever came up, I’d answer their questions and then we’d move on,” he said.
The JV team’s last scheduled game is May 21 at Ann Arbor Huron, which is just about that time Goslin will learn his next career move – and it’ll be a big one.
Goslin either will be joining the Peace Corps in August, living and working in Central Asia, or the Right To Play organization in July.
“Besides coaching and sports, my other background has been in Habitat For Humanity, and other similar organizations,” he said. “I definitely want to get involved with athletics for a career, but I’m now just trying to take some time off before I officially have to start in the real-world, if that makes sense.
“I’ve always wanted to do the Peace Corps, and it’s just a perfect time. I’ve talked to a lot of people who have done it, and each says [the 27-month commitment] goes by real fast.
“I want a challenge, and I think it’s going to be a great challenge, especially because I don’t speak their language. And in the region that (the Peace Corps) will be sending me to, they have very little contact with Americans, so there’s a good chance that I’ll be the first one they ever meet. It’s pretty cool to get to represent the country in a positive way, and also learn about other countries, other cultures.
“I know I’m going to grow a lot out of this challenge.”
Goslin would be teaching English and working with a project for HIV-AIDS prevention if he joins the Peace Corps.
Being gay is not a factor for the Peace Corps job, he said.
“I don’t think (the Peace Corps) cares (about my sexuality); it’s not a government function; it’s not one of the questions that they ask,” he said. “I just look at this as a challenge to see how strong I am as a person.
“I know someone from Detroit Country Day and he did (the Peach Corps) from 1971-‘73. Where he went, he was the local butcher, taught English, and set up sports leagues. So I think this will be a great opportunity to really broaden my horizons and learn a different way of life.”
If he opts instead to join the Right To Play organization, Goslin will be working with minorities in third-world countries, including women and children with HIV, setting up sports leagues, fostering human rights through sports. He is applying to go to Thailand or places in Africa.
“I’m hoping to learn a new language or two wherever I go, whichever (job) I choose, and hopefully make some great friends overseas,” said Goslin, who is now studying for the LSAT and is going to take the law school entrance exam before he leaves for either service job.
His biggest fear for the fall? Not being able to watch college football.
“I was watching the Big Ten Network recently, and it hit me that (this fall) I won’t be able to watch any of the games. But it’ll be OK; I’ll still have Internet access,” he said. “I will stay in contact with Wash U., make sure they’re winning and doing well. I also will try to keep up with Penn State and Michigan State.
“It’s a small sacrifice but will be worth it.”
Goslin, who graduated from Washington University in December 2006, spent the 2007 football season working at a marketing firm.
And what’s the latest on the social scene?
“I don’t know,” he said. “I just met someone before moving back to Detroit, so we’ve been talking a lot, but I don’t think we’re dating, but maybe eventually.”

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