Some of the best LGBT volleyball players in the world will be in Chicago next May for the North American Gay Volleyball Association ( NAGVA ) Championships XXVII, marking the fourth time Chicago has hosted the annual event and the first time since 1991.
Scenes from the indoor volleyball competitions at the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago. The late Peg Grey is third from left in the group photo. Left photo by Jay W; right photo by Shawn Eames
'This is an opportunity for us to really showcase the City of Chicago,' said Dave Wagner, one of the local organizers.
The event will be held May 23-25, 2009, at Navy Pier—and about 1,000 players from across America, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico are expected. About 5 to 10 percent will be Chicagoland residents and about 95 percent of all players will be gay, Wagner said.
'I think our offer [ to host the event ] showcased a great venue and the City of Chicago. Plus, we had a very solid marketing plan,' said Wagner, 35, a Chicago resident who has played volleyball for 25 years.
'We're hoping that this [ event ] will really show what Chicago gay athletics is all about, what we can do, what we can offer.'
Especially since rumors persist that Chicago will submit a bid to host the Gay Super Bowl in 2009 as well.
Wagner said NAGVA Championship players will range from beginners to those who have played at Division I colleges, such as himself.
'We're excited to be hosting NAGVA Championships XXVII in 2009,' said Chad Carroll, director of Championships XXVII. 'Chicago is a city of diversity, offering unique social, athletic and recreational activities. We have already gathered significant support in Chicago's business community and anticipate excitement building between now and Championships. I would like to share this excitement with local businesses' across the county by encouraging each of them to get out and support their local NAGVA teams who will be traveling here next May.'
NAGVA is one of the nation's largest LGBT sports organizations with more than 5,000 members. A group of eight cities, Chicago being one of those eight, helped form NAGVA in 1980. NAGVA hosted its first Championship tournament in 1982. The host organization responsible for winning the bid for NAGVA Championships XXVII is the Chicago-based non-profit LGBT sports organization Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association ( CMSA ) . CMSA is the largest non-profit LGBT sports organization in the Midwest, boasting over 2,600 members. CMSA hosts an annual volleyball tournament during Chicago Market Days as well the Midwest's largest gay volleyball league.
