Derek Schell is ready for his senior season on the men's basketball team at Hillsdale College, a Division II school in Michigan that had a 17-10 overall record last season.
The rainbow spotlight is shining brightest on this 6-foot-1, 185-pound guard who was a two-time All-State high school player in Wisconsin before graduating from Catholic Memorial ( in New Berlin ) in 2010.
Schell is excited for the season, happy that his personal life is now is out, open and as enjoyable as every moment he spends on the basketball court.
Schell, 22, came out to the world in early October in a first-person story that first appeared on Outsports.com—and he has since been swamped with well-wishers, via social media, emails, text messages and even phone calls. He said the tally is already more than 1,000.
"I didn't imagine I would make an impact like this," said Schell, who is the first openly gay Division II college basketball player. He noted that the biggest surprise has been "an outpour of support from people here at my college."
Schell, who will graduated in 2014 with a degree in international business, came out to his teammates and coaches this fall, knowing rejection was a possibility. He told them individually, as opposed to all-team-together speech due to the distinct, unique relationship he has with each. Some told Schell that they suspected he was gay; some were surprised.
"My teammates and coaches have been very respectful and supportive, and we have been focused on our season," Schell said.
Asked if he would change his coming-out, or do it all the same, he replied, "The same."
"I have no regrets in my process and needed to grow and learn before doing this," he said.
Schell appeared in all 27 games last season, starting in eight. He spent six weeks this past summer in Spain through the Spanish Studies Abroad program.
Since coming-out, Schell said his life has been "busy, happy, and overall the same."
"I take responsibility in [being the first openly gay Division II men's college basketball player], and am proud of it," Schell said. "I know I am not the only gay player and I'm hoping to be able to change the game in terms of players being open about it.
"There's no pressure. I am happy and ready to have a great senior year."
Schell has been dating Kevin, who goes to school in the Northeast, for about two years.
"We met online, so we had a while to get to know each other while focusing on getting to know each other; the relationship has grown through many ups and downs and we have really helped each other to mature and be happier," Schell said.
Schell said he "didn't hide" his relationship with Kevin, "but nobody asked." The two often did, and still do Skype, and they spent most of the summers together, Schell said.
Schell said the "whole goal" of his coming-out was to help and inspire younger LGBT, as well as those questioning their sexual-orientation. "To let people know their story is common, and they are not alone," he said. "Hopefully these days of overcoming inequality can create days where all are treated equally and nobody has to publish a coming-out story."
More Derek Schell:
—Favorite NBA basketball team: Los Angeles Clippers
—Favorite college basketball team ( other than Hillsdale ): Duke
—Favorite NBA player: JJ Redick
—Been to, or participated in, a Pride Parade: "Not yet."
—About Chicago: "I love the city and have had fun visiting there many times."
—Parents: Joe and Lenore, and both also played Division II college basketball.
—Sister: Stephanie, who played Division I college basketball in Milwaukee.
—Long-term goals: "Happy, healthy, laughs with friends … the details don't matter."
