Austin To Host Texas' First Gay Basketball Tournament
- Written by Chase Martin
- Read 725 times
When it was founded in February 2010, the Austin Gay Basketball League was not only the first LGBT-affiliated basketball organization in Austin, it was also the first in the state of Texas. Two years later, Austin will play host to the National Gay Basketball Association's first national tournament to be held in the Lone Star State -- the Texas Capitol Classic.
Texas will be well represented in the state's first tournament: Austin will have three teams competing; and Dallas, who just started the state's second gay basketball earlier this year, will be represented by two teams. The Golden State's contingent matches Texas with five teams from California, including teams from Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Francisco. New York City and Oklahoma City also have teams competing in the tournament.
The tournament will kick off Thursday, July 5 with Early Registration from 7-10 PM at Muscle Maker Grill at 906 Congress Avenue for players and their supporters followed by an Early Bird Welcome Party at The Iron Bear at 121 West 8th Street from 10 PM until close for those 21 and up and is open to the public. The AGBL will host the Registration and Welcome Party Friday, July 6 at Rain on 4th at 217 West 4th Street from 7-10 PM. The welcome party is free and open to the public.
The tournament games will be played at the Austin Sports Center in South Austin at 425 Woodward Street, across from St Edward's University. Games start on Saturday, July 7 at 9 AM and run through 3 PM. There will be a house party in West Austin for players and their supports after the games from 3-8 PM. Details are available on the tournament's website at www.ngbaus.com/austin2012/index.html.
The playoff and championship games will be on Sunday, July 8 at 9 PM and go until 1 PM at the Austin Sports Center. The tournament will close Sunday night with the Texas Capitol Classic Champion's Trophy Presentation Party at Oilcan Harry's from 7-10 PM. The event is free and open to the public and 18+ are welcome at Oilcan Harry's.
View therepubliq's guide to the Texas Capitol Classic in a larger map
The Austin Gay Basketball League, founded in February 2010, is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit with a mission to offer the Central Texas lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community and its straight allies the opportunity to experience and enjoy recreational basketball in a competitive, inclusive, and affirming environment. The AGBL is a member of the National Gay Basketball Association, an international, inclusive, integrated, gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly association that unites athletes and culture through basketball.
For more information about the Austin Gay Basketball League, visit the website at www.atxgbl.com. For more information about the National Gay Basketball Association, you can visit their website at www.ngbaus.com.
Chase Martin
Creative Director & Founder, therepubliq.com
Director, Marketing/Promotions & Co-Founder, The OUTlander Project
Producer, OutCast Austin
Austin, Texas
Chase is the founder and Creative Director of therepubliq.com and co-founder and Director, Marketing & Promotions of The OUTlander Project. He is also a producer and engineer for OutCast Austin, an award-winning LGBT weekly radio program on KOOP 91.7 FM in Austin. In 2011, he was named the Critics Pick for 'Most Gaybiquitous' in the Austin Chronicle's Best of Austin.
Additionally, Chase runs PlanetChase, LLC, a consulting firm providing a variety of business development services including web development, marketing, branding, technology to small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs; as well as meeting planning services for the financial services industry.
On his spare time, Chase has volunteered with local organizations including AIDS Services of Austin, the Octopus Club, the Austin Gay Basketball League and Volleyball Austin. In 2007, he was appointed by then-Austin Mayor Will Wynn to serve on the Austin Area Comprehensive HIV Planning Council where he served as the chairperson of the Community Access & Nominations committee.