Spring Break
NCAA, Drexel try to tackle homophobia in sports
James Mason
Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: Sports
"I believe the NCAA, with the assistance of initiatives like It Takes A Team and the Sports Project of the NCLR, has made great strides in trying to address LGBT issues in sport over the last four to six years," said Griffin. "Is there more to be done? Absolutely. However, the communications lines are open, and there is reason to believe that the NCAA will continue to work on this issue."
However, Jim Buzinski, co-founder of Outsports.com, a prominent gay-themed sports web site, was critical of the NCAA's efforts, accusing them of having a lack of leadership in dealing with issues pertaining to gay coaches and athletes.
"They don't seem to think it's a problem," Buzinski said. "In general, they are getting better and some schools are doing diversity training, but I don't think it's a priority to the NCAA, in part because the environment is not conducive to coming out."
Kirk Walker, the Oregon State University head softball coach, is the only openly gay Division I coach. Walker was less critical of the NCAA's diversity training than Buzinski, but he said it can use some improvement.
"I think their diversity training has really grown, and that includes sexual identity, but I do think there's probably a greater need, specifically for sexuality, than is being addressed," he said.
While he has only been out for two years, he has yet to face any problems involving his sexual orientation.
"It's only been two years since I've been out, since then I've had very little obstacles or ramifications," Walker said. "I think more importantly, there is certainly a perception or perceived feeling that there would be a lot more challenges, which kept me from coming out."
Walker also said the team atmosphere is a good situation for someone to be open about their sexuality.
"Honestly in some ways I think that an athlete would have an easier time coming out in many situations because they would have a good support network within their team most of the time," Walker said.
However, Jim Buzinski, co-founder of Outsports.com, a prominent gay-themed sports web site, was critical of the NCAA's efforts, accusing them of having a lack of leadership in dealing with issues pertaining to gay coaches and athletes.
"They don't seem to think it's a problem," Buzinski said. "In general, they are getting better and some schools are doing diversity training, but I don't think it's a priority to the NCAA, in part because the environment is not conducive to coming out."
Kirk Walker, the Oregon State University head softball coach, is the only openly gay Division I coach. Walker was less critical of the NCAA's diversity training than Buzinski, but he said it can use some improvement.
"I think their diversity training has really grown, and that includes sexual identity, but I do think there's probably a greater need, specifically for sexuality, than is being addressed," he said.
While he has only been out for two years, he has yet to face any problems involving his sexual orientation.
"It's only been two years since I've been out, since then I've had very little obstacles or ramifications," Walker said. "I think more importantly, there is certainly a perception or perceived feeling that there would be a lot more challenges, which kept me from coming out."
Walker also said the team atmosphere is a good situation for someone to be open about their sexuality.
"Honestly in some ways I think that an athlete would have an easier time coming out in many situations because they would have a good support network within their team most of the time," Walker said.
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