This Friday and Saturday, Sarah Lawrence College will host back-to-back men’s basketball games and an equality luncheon as the school hosts Pride On The Court. The event is an effort by the coaches of the men’s basketball teams at the college, along with Saunders High School coach Anthony Nicodemo, to bring visibility to LGBT equality efforts in sports.
On Friday there will be a luncheon with boys basketball teams and Gay-Straight Alliances from across Yonkers, N.Y., in addition to Somers High School in Lincondale, N.Y. The Mayor of Yonkers will be a speaker at the luncheon, along with openly gay former NBA player Jason Collins.
The games on Saturday will feature Sarah Lawrence against Purchase in the college matchup, and Saunders High School vs. Somers High School in the high school tilt. DJ Zeke Thomas, son of NBA legend Isiah Thomas, will be spinning at the games on Saturday.
“We’ve seen many successful ‘Pride Games’ at the professional and collegiate levels, but I’ve yet to see a high school version,” Nicodemo said. “The younger levels are where we need to create the change. Having high school students take part in something like this will be effective in promoting unity within school buildings.”
The games Saturday tip off at 3pm at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, N.Y. Proceeds from the games will benefit GLSEN Hudson Valley.