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Northeastern partners with You Can Play in support of LGBT athletes
Dozens of Northeastern University athletes record PSA supporting equality in sports

"If you are a young LGBT athlete, we invite you to consider Northeastern University." That message, from Director of Athletics and Recreation Peter Roby, is at the heart of a growing partnership between Northeastern Athletics and You Can Play, an organization dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation.

More than 50 Northeastern student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fans participated in a recent public service announcement (PSA) expressing support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender athletes. Their message is a simple one: Sexual orientation has no bearing in sport. If you can play, you can play.

[Watch the PSA here.]

"Northeastern has shown a willingness to take the lead in promoting respect for all students, and for breaking down barriers to participation for athletes," said You Can Play co-founder Patrick Burke. "The university's enthusiasm and support for equality in sports, and for the You Can Play Project, has set a standard for colleges and universities nationwide."

Northeastern joins more than 50 National Hockey League players who have participated in the campaign with their own “You Can Play” PSAs. The university's student-athletes provided the impetus for the video, wanting to express their support for LGBT teammates and youth. An open casting call drew overwhelming interest, and not just from student-athletes, but also from students and fans throughout campus.

“I was proud to support my teammates and the Northeastern Athletics community while shooting the video," said Kelly Wallace. "As an athlete at Northeastern who is open about my sexuality, it made me proud of who I am. It made me feel safe and comfortable in the community to know that so many staff members and athletes support who I am as a person."

The recent PSA builds on an existing partnership between Northeastern Athletics and You Can Play. The two first partnered in October, when the university hosted a citywide forum that drew athletes from multiple sports and neighboring colleges. In March, the athletic department joined with You Can Play partner-organization G-Force Sports to promote and participate in a campus-wide discussion about LGBT athletes.

"We are committed to providing an open and inclusive culture at Northeastern," Roby noted. "One of our most important core values is the appreciation of difference, and we are proud to partner with You Can Play to exhibit our support for all student-athletes. LGBT athletes have made great contributions to our university, and we are excited to see what they bring to our university in the future. Our administration and coaches will continue to work to ensure that we provide a safe and inclusive environment for LGBT athletes, coaches and fans."

Of the growing partnership, Burke stated: “We are grateful for the continued support Northeastern has shown the You Can Play Project and our partners at G-Force Sports. Northeastern Athletics has set the tone for universities seeking LGBT inclusiveness by working with the university's Sport in Society program, inviting G-Force to speak to their athletes on two occasions, and following up with this video. It is great to see that the athletes and staff at Northeastern are letting their present and future teammates know that they will support them. We are excited to see that young LGBT athletes of all sports can find a safe place to play at Northeastern University."

The You Can Play Project, launched earlier this year, seeks to challenge the culture of locker rooms and spectator areas by focusing solely on an athlete's skills, work ethic and competitive spirit — and not on the basis of sexual orientation or other discriminatory factors. The program provides a combination of video messages, educational programs and other resources for high schools, colleges and universities, and professional teams and leagues.

Burke, a scout for the Philadelphia Flyers, appeared in the project's debut PSA with his father, the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Brian Burke. Patrick is the older brother of Brendan Burke who made headlines for being an openly gay equipment manager for the Miami University Redhawks in 2009. Brendan died tragically when his car lost control in a snow storm on an Indiana highway in February 2010. Patrick carries on his little brother's legacy and vision with the You Can Play Project. For more information about the You Can Play Project, visit youcanplayproject.org.

Northeastern University sponsors 18 varsity sports at the NCAA Division I level, and is a member of the Colonial Athletic Association, Hockey East, the Eastern Association of Rowing Colleges, and the Eastern Association of Women's Rowing Colleges. The university's Department of Athletics and Recreation supports the institution by providing a comprehensive, high-quality intercollegiate athletics and campus recreation program. The department is committed to excellence in offering inspiring athletic, educational and personal development opportunities through its core values of leadership, critical thinking, the concept of "coach as educator," appreciation of difference, and community service. Learn more about the department, our accomplished teams, and our talented student-athletes at GoNU.com.

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