GLSEN Launches Changing the Game: The GLSEN Sports Project to Address LGBT Issues in K-12 Sports

By Steve | Published: March 17, 2011

LGBT and Ally Sports Stars Lend Support to Campaign to Promote Respect for All in Sports

NEW YORK, March 17, 2011 – In an effort to make K-12 sports and physical education safer and more inclusive for all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression, GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, and a diverse coalition of athletes, journalists and sports figures today launch Changing the Game: The GLSEN Sports Project (http://sports.glsen.org).

“I am really excited to be working with GLSEN to create a Sports Project that will help to make sports and physical education a great experience for every student no matter what their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.,” said GLSEN Sports Project Director Pat Griffin, former Director of It Takes a Team Education Campaign for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Issues in Sport at the Women’s Sports Foundation.

The list of Advisory Group and All-Star supporters includes Hall of Fame, Olympic and National Champion athletes, award-winning journalists, former college athletic directors and current professional, college and high school coaches.

Among them: Hall of Fame tennis players Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova; ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com columnist LZ Granderson; Olympic softball medalists Jessica Mendoza and Lauren Lappin; current NFL player Scott Fujita and former NFL player Wade Davis; WNBA player Candice Wiggins; Toronto Maple Leafs President and General Manager Brian Burke; National Center for Lesbian Rights Sports Project Director Helen Carroll; three-time All-American wrestler Hudson Taylor; Outsports.com co-founder Cyd Zeigler; WNBA Coach Lin Dunn; Rugby player Ben Cohen; former MLB player Billy Bean; and former NBA player John Amaechi.

With few existing resources or programs designed to address homophobia and transphobia in K-12 sports, Changing the Game: The GLSEN Sports Project fills a critical gap and adds a vital new dimension to GLSEN’s work to create a world in which every child learns to accept and respect all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

Nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT youth (84.6%) said they’d experienced harassment in school in the past year because of their sexual orientation and nearly two-thirds (63.7%) because of their gender expression, according to GLSEN’s 2009 National School Climate Survey. Additionally, 61.1% said they felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation.

When asked if there were particular spaces at school they avoided because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable, 35.7% of LGBT student said locker rooms, the highest percentage of any place at school.

“GLSEN is committed to the principle that all students should have equal access to the services, supports and opportunities of a K-12 education,” GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard said. “Changing the Game is designed to help schools, coaches, athletes and families create a healthy atmosphere of respect in PE classes and competitive athletics. Sports and PE were a central part of my life growing up, and are critical for student health and well-being.

Every child today should have the opportunity to participate fully and safely in every aspect of school life.”

GLSEN’s Changing the Game website (http://sports.glsen.org) features a collection of “Game Plan” resources for athletes, athletic administrators, coaches and parents; a Game Changer video project (YouTube.com/GLSENsports) to raise awareness about people making a difference in the sports world every day; the Team Respect Challenge pledge for teams to commit to treat all teammates with respect. Additional Changing the Game programs will be introduced in the coming months.

The program also will highlight the important work student-athletes already are doing across the country to promote a simple theme that is at the heart of Changing the Game: The GLSEN Sports Project.

Respect. Are you bringin’ it?

“The sporting world is a place where many children and teens grow into the person they will become,” said Brad Usselman, a cross county athlete at Skyview High School in Vancouver, Wash., and a blogger along with two other high school LGBT athletes at http://bradrobertben.wordpress.com. “Acceptance needs to be promoted so that we can foster a generation that does not care if someone is LGBT. They look past the fact of someone’s sexuality and instead try to see who the person truly is.”

About GLSEN
GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established in 1990, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community. For information on GLSEN’s research, educational resources, public policy advocacy, student organizing programs and educator training initiatives, visit www.glsen.org

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Wong Moss Outstanding Alumni Award

By Steve | Published: March 15, 2011

I am both humbled and honored at the news that I was selected as the 2011 recipient of this award. Thanks to Delaware County Community College, the Wong Moss Outstanding Alumni Award nominating committee, and to John Moss for seeing something within me worthy of honoring his family legacy.

This award recognizes distinguished alumni for their outstanding professional, community and educational accomplishments. It was created by the late Barbara Wong Moss, a former College trustee, and her son John in honor of her father, a Chinese immigrant who believed in the value of education.

In many ways I feel guilty for being rewarded and recognized for doing things that I love to do and that I know are right. It may sound like a cliche but the satisfaction that I get out of the mere “doing” is my reward…. my payday. To be recognized on top of that isn’t necessary.  I often feel like I am taking away more than I am giving. But this is a real honor and I am extremely grateful for the nod and appreciative to all.

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Seventh Annual Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon Announces Partnership with Challenged Athletes Foundation

By Steve | Published: March 14, 2011

PHLYTRI Athletes Encouraged to Join Team CAF to Raise Funds for Physically Challenged Athletes

ITU World Champion, “The Amazing Race” star and CAF Athlete Sarah Reinertsen to lead Team CAF at PHLYTRI

March 14, 2011 (Philadelphia, PA) – The Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon (PHLYTRI), one of the featured events in the Life Time Triathlon Series Race to the Toyota Cup, has announced a new partnership for 2011 with Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF), a world leader in empowering physically challenged athletes to find success in sports – and in life.

Established in 1997, Challenged Athletes Foundation provides opportunities and support to people with physical disabilities so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics.  PHLYTRI athletes who register to join Team CAF receive a race entry and VIP benefits including a CAF triathlon uniform, training t-shirt, race belt, water bottle, access to VIP hospitality tent hosted by Philadelphia Insurance Companies and more. To register for Team CAF at PHLYTRI or for more details, visit http://TeamCAFPHLYTri.kintera.org.

Team CAF will field a team of ambassador athletes at the PHLYTRI lead by Sarah Reinertsen, 2009 ITU Paratriathlete World Champion and the first woman on a prosthetic leg to finish the Ironman World Championship in Kona.  Reinertsen, who also starred in CBS’s Emmy award winning TV series “The Amazing Race”, will be joined in Philadelphia by other CAF athletes including Scout Bassett, Willie Stewart and Nick Roumonada. For more information on these CAF athletes, visit http://bit.ly/CAFathletes.

“Along with our title sponsor, Philadelphia Insurance Companies, a long-time CAF supporter, PHLYTRI is proud to welcome Challenged Athletes Foundation as one of our charitable partners for 2011,” said Richard Adler, CEO, Philadelphia Triathlon, LLC. “As one of the top triathlons in the country, PHLYTRI encourages our athletes to join Team CAF and support their mission of providing physically challenged athletes every opportunity to compete in the sports they love.”

“The first time I witnessed challenged athletes competing in a triathlon was at CAF’s San Diego Triathlon Challenge ten years ago. I was blown away and moved to tears,” said Timothy Maguire, Senior Vice President, Philadelphia Insurance Companies and Member, CAF Board of Directors. “It inspired me so much that I felt that I needed to come back and share this with my office and the employees at PHLY Insurance. Many of us who are able-bodied tend to take our healthy bodies for granted, but for the physically challenged individuals that are able to get out there and participate in the sports they love brings so much joy to their lives. CAF helps make these opportunities possible. When I see what challenged athletes have accomplished, it inspires me to push harder to achieve my goals and get others to do the same.”

Team CAF joins long-standing PHLYTRI charitable partners, The Cancer Center at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, which benefits greatly from the Karr Barth CHOP Charity Challenge, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training® program and the American Cancer Society’s DetermiNation endurance program. In 2011 PHLYTRI is also expanding its Philadelphia area community partnerships to include the Fairmount Park Conservancy and The Cadence Cycling Foundation.

Founded in 2005, the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon is one of the largest and most popular triathlons in the country.  Held in the city’s historic Fairmount Park, the race was named a top-five triathlon in the United States by Outside Magazine, was lauded as one of the top big city triathlons by Inside Triathlon Magazine, and named one of the “10 Greenest Races” by Triathlete Magazine. For more information on the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon visit www.PhillyTri.com.

The Life Time Triathlon Series is the oldest and most prominent series of international-distance triathlon events in the United States. The main event of the Life Time Series is the premier Race to the Toyota Cup, which challenges the world’s top professional triathletes to battle for points and a chance to win the coveted Toyota Cup. The 2011 Series consists of seven events, including stops in Miami, Austin, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Chicago, Los Angeles and Dallas. Additional information about the Life Time Triathlon Series and Race to the Toyota Cup can be found at racetothetoyotacup.com.

Challenged Athletes Foundation

The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is a world leader in helping individuals with physical challenges get involved – and stay involved – in sports.  CAF believes that participation in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life.  Since 1994, more than $30 million has been raised and almost 5,000 funding requests from challenged athletes in all 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF’s outreach efforts reach another 60,000 individuals each year. Whether it’s a $2,500 grant for a handcycle, helping underwrite a carbon fiber running foot not covered by insurance, or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF’s mission is clear:  give those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sports they love.  To learn more, log on to www.challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.

Philadelphia Triathlon, LLC

Philadelphia Triathlon, LLC is a leading multi-sport race production and management company.  Based in Wayne, PA, Philadelphia Triathlon owns and produces the highly-regarded Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon — named a top triathlon in the U.S. by Outside Magazine and Inside Triathlon Magazine; the SheRox Triathlon Series – the fastest growing women’s triathlon series in the country; and Ironman 70.3 Pocono Mountains — one of the newest Ironman 70.3 races in the global Ironman Series.  Known for producing high quality races, Philadelphia Triathlon, LLC also provides management and race operation services for additional endurance sporting events.  For more information, please visit www.PhillyTri.com.

About the Life Time Triathlon Series

Since 2006, the Life Time Triathlon Series has connected some of the most prominent international-distance triathlon events in the United States.  Throughout the Series, the world’s top professional triathletes battle for points and a chance to win the coveted Toyota Cup. In 2011, the Series consists of seven events, including: the April 10 Nautica South Beach Triathlon (Miami); the May 30 Capital of Texas Triathlon (Austin); the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon June 26; the July 9 Life Time Fitness Minneapolis Triathlon; the Life Time Fitness Chicago Triathlon August 28; the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon September 25; and the October 2 Toyota U.S. Open Championship (Dallas). For more information on the Life Time Triathlon Series and the Race to the Toyota Cup visit www.racetothetoyotacup.com.

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Jenna Morasca Making Her Mark

By Steve | Published: March 12, 2011

Many of you know how supportive Ethan Zohn was of my Man of the Year campaign last year. I’ve told the story many times before that a mutual friend connected Ethan and I shortly after his diagnosis and it turned into a powerful and meaningful friendship and connection.

You are also probably aware of how publicly supportive Ethan’s better half, Jenna Morasca, was during his treatment battle. She didn’t just stand by his side; she led the charge and wore many hats during Ethan’s treatment period.

In true Jenna fashion, she has taken on another fight. She has thrown her name into the ring for the title of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year for the NY area. Kudos to Jenna for her warrior attitude in the fight against all cancers. And I want to personally thank both Ethan and Jenna for their continued and unwavering support.

Below is her open campaign letter.

Dear Friends and Family,

mwoyI have been honored this year by being nominated for Woman of the Year by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The Man & Woman of the Year campaign is a national campaign to raise money for the fight against blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Cancer has tried to crush my spirit twice, but I will not surrender. When I was 23 years old, cancer came into my home and took away my mother. And just last year, my partner in crime and the love of my life Ethan Zohn, was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer – CD 20+ Hodgkins Lymphoma. It seemed that we were both on top of the world at the time – enjoying our life together in New York City. Very quickly our lives changed with a single phone call and again I was thrust into caretaker mode. I found myself gasping for air.

I thought I had paid my dues to cancer and given all that jenna ethanI could. But cancer doesn’t care if you have suffered before – every four minutes someone dies from a blood cancer, and to me this is not ok. With the help of his doctors, our friends, family, love and the competitive spirit we share, we made cancer more scared of us, than we were of it. Together our battle became one of hope, laughter, tears, set backs, but ultimately triumph! We were victorious over his cancer together, and I am happy to say that we not only celebrate our birthdays, our anniversary, but also a rebirth of Ethan’s health!

•    Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children & young adults under age 20.
•    Thanks to research funded by LLS, the leukemia survival rate for children 0 to 14 years of age in the United States has increased 76% from 1969 to 2007.
•    One in Two Men will be diagnosed with cancer and One in Three Women will be diagnosed with cancer in our life-time.

As part of my campaign to be the Woman of the Year, it is my goal to raise more than $40,000 to benefit LLS between now and May 19th (which also happens to be my mom’s birthday).  This campaign is the perfect symbol of our journey with cancer and it’s an honor to be involved with something much bigger than ourselves. I have been given the amazing opportunity to help make sure others don’t have to go though the same crap we went through!

Attached please find a donation form to make it easy for you to send your tax-deductible contribution directly to me (payable to: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society). Or, if you prefer, you can go to the campaign web site HERE and  contribution there.

jenna ethan2Your donation can have even more of an impact if your company matches donations so please make sure to check with them and submit the appropriate forms!  Finally, I’d love if you could reach out to others and ask them to donate to LLS and support my campaign. Together we can make a huge difference in the lives of those affected.

Send checks made payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to:

Jenna Morasca
c/o Gold Standard Sports
115 Lomita St
El Segundo, CA 90254

I’ll keep you posted on the campaign. For now, I am grateful for your friendship and support.

With love,
Jenna Morasca

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The Power of Choice

By Steve | Published: March 9, 2011

Here is my latest article written for Liberty Sports Magazine. Check it out!

The Power of Choice

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More Emails

By Steve | Published: March 8, 2011

I would love to share with you someday some of the emails I get from complete strangers who “find” me and have learned of my story. Even though they look to me to provide them some sense of calm or reassurance, the reality is that I get more from the fact that they reached out to me than I feel like I give back.

This is a tough time on a few levels. I need to focus really hard to practice all of the things that I preach. I know everything will work out but I need to buckle up and button down while I go through this ride.

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Happy Anniversary

By Steve | Published: February 24, 2011

Well here we are again. Today is February 24th  and on this date in 2006, I received my official diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The week between February 17th and February 24th of 2006 was the week from hell; riddled with anxiety, anticipation, and fear of the unknown. During that week I was poked, prodded, scanned, and biopsied. And then in the afternoon of the 24th my new best friend, Dr. Stephen Shore, handed me my gift.

While I may not have looked at the diagnosis as a gift immediately, it didn’t take too long for me to come to that realization. Since 2006, I have been able to make some amazing connections, meet some extraordinary people, and work with a couple of class organizations as we all band together in the fight against blood cancers. And it’s for those reasons that I look at this diagnosis as a gift.

I also realize that my diagnosis date is not as significant as my date of remission, but it certainly is a date that stands out as having an impact on me. As many of you know, I started chemotherapy treatments almost immediately and reached remission within a couple of months.

When cancer first met me, I think it had an entirely different agenda and plan. But cancer is stupid, and it misjudged my character, my resolve, and the support within my inner circle. So now I stand proudly on top of a heap of broken, battered, bruised, and lifeless cancer cells and from time to time I glance down at the pile and with a warrior glare simply ask, “any questions?”

To all warriors, I remind you that we stand tall and we stand united. And to the warriors who have lost their battles, and to their families, I remind you that you will never be forgotten and we will continue to push on in honor of all who have battled.

Happy FC day.

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Odd Man 1.3.5 Off Road Duathlon

By Steve | Published: February 21, 2011

Come join the other odd men and women for the 2011 edition of the Odd Man 1.3.5 duathlon on March 26th, 2011 at Camp Ockanickon located in scenic Medford New Jersey.

What is Odd Man? Good question. Odd Man is something a little different, and yes, a little “odd”. Odd Man offers three unique races including an off road duathlon (5k run/10k mountain bike/5k run), a 5k cross country run, and  a FREE kids 1 mile fun run.

The objectives of race directors Rich Cobb and Woody Browne are to offer something fun, something unique, and something for everyone. To add to the quirks that make Odd Man tick, is the fact that awards are given to those individuals finishing in first, third, and fifth place within each age group.

This course is built for fun; but not necessarily speed. While you probably won’t post a PR at Camp Ockanickon, you can expect a great way to kick start your racing season, beautiful scenery, a good all around event and, oh yeah – expect to get dirty.  

For complete details, including registration information, visit www.oddman135.com

Field size is limited though so register TODAY.

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Blog Talk with Anne Mahlum from Back on My Feet

By Steve | Published: February 17, 2011

An interview with Anne Mahlum, founder of Back on My Feet, has been scheduled for Thursday February 17th at 6:30 PM on my show Make it Count. For details …

Click  HERE.

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One Key Short

By Steve | Published: February 12, 2011

I have a little personal theory in life. It’s sort of like my personal keys to happiness. I would venture to say that  my methodology works because I believe most people would see me as a generally upbeat person. I don’t usually talk about the keys although I did speak briefly about them at a symposium a few weeks.

The plan is simple; each and everyday, do one thing to take care of yourself. Do one thing that takes care of someone else. And do one thing that scares the living heck out of you. And you’ll be happy. If you try it, and find me wrong….. let’s chat.

Yesterday I picked my daughter up from the train to take her to a doctor’s appointment. While waiting for the train, I decided to poke around a local discount retail store to kill time. While there, found a kick-ass New Balance thermal technical jacket reduced from $80 to $20. Excuse me ….. I shall have that! Done, something for me.

On the way walking to the train, I saw a young girl who was seated outside on a piece of cardboard huddled over a sign which simply read “Homeless and Hungry. Please help if you can. God Bless You”. As compassionate as I am, these situations worry me because if I help monetarily, I wonder if I am just perpetuating a downhill spiraling drug problem. But she really seemed hungry. Across the street was a Pretzel Factory and I quickly grabbed a couple of warm fresh pretzels and a bottled water.

So I walked back over to my homeless friend, knelt down to her level (surprised the heck out of here actually), and asked her if I could offer her something to eat. In a drought, scratchy, and tired word, she simply uttered “yes” in a barely audible response. I handed her the bag and told here they were still warm and wished her good luck. The “thank you” that I heard from her next was full of life and of hope.

As I picked up my daughter and we made our way back to the car, we passed the girl again. This time she was seated with a friend, and she was sharing her food with this other person. Alone, cold, and on the street, she paid forward my random act to another person. She looked back up and me, smiled, and said “Bless You”.

It was a happy ending. BUT I didn’t really do anything scary yesterday. Although one could argue that sitting down next to a homeless stranger takes a certain amount of trust and confidence. It didn’t really scare me. Something told me that it was safe and it was right.

I think the hidden moral here just might be that you may not end each day finishing everything on your to-do list…. i.e. turning all three keys.  But that should not take away or tarnish the things that you did get done.

Use today to make a difference somewhere or put a smile on a stranger’s face. FYI, my afternoon ended with the perfect lunch date with one of my perfect daughters. How I was blessed to have two of them, I’ll never know.

Go make a difference. We’ll talk more about keys later.

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"Be the change you wish to see in the world " - Gandhi
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