Sam Hamilton had a successful 2010 on the sporting fields of playand an even better year off the fields.
She helped start the new women's basketball and soccer leagues for the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association ( CMSA ) .
"Sam has been instrumental in the growth of women's sports within CMSA," said former CMSA president Marcia Hill. "Sam has been a player, coach, manager, member of the softball board, commissioner for both dodgeball and women's soccer, and has also stepped up to help officiate flag football. She has taken numerous photos and videos of CMSA activities and several years ago she put together a 20-minute video of the dodgeball season for all to view at the season ending party.
"She also has helped take equipment back and forth to various fields. She is one of the first managers who welcome 'orphans' to her team, to make women feel welcome to CMSA and Chicago gay sports, which enables them to meet other people and play more sports."
Hamilton, 38, lives in Chicago's Portage Park neighborhood, and is single. She played flag football, softball and soccer in 2010and was named the 2010 Chicago Female Athlete of the Year in a poll of local athletes and officials.
"Most of my [ 2010 ] competitive teams usually are the top 3 or 4 in the regular season but did not win a championship," said Hamilton, who tabbed flag football as her best sport.
Her favorite sports are flag football and softball.
"This year was a lot of work managing 11 teams and starting CMSA women's soccer and basketball," she said.
Hamilton is, however, taking a step back from CMSA sports in 2011 to spend more time devoted to her fine art photography www.SamHamiltonPhotography.com .
"Sam has really gone above and beyond what CMSA expects from a volunteer," Hill said.
Hamilton, four years ago, was the person who got the ball rolling and founded the women's dodgeball league. She also did the legwork to get the CMSA entry into last summer's Pride Parade.
Hamilton also is coordinating the CMSA Women's Social, set for Joe's Bar on Weed St. on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011 ( 7 p.m. tp 2 a.m. ) .
More Sam Hamilton:
Favorite pro sports: Football and baseball
Favorite pro teams: Chicago Bears and Chicago White Sox
Favorite pro athletes: Devin Hester and Peyton Manning
In high school: She competed in cross country, volleyball and basketball.
LGBT sporting goal for 2011: "Watching my teammate play."
Read next week's issue to find out the male athlete of the year.