Basketball Strikes Anoither First

Earlier this year, Jason Collins became the first active player in one of the big four professional sports leagues to come out as Gay.  Collins play basketball for the Brooklyn Nets.  In yet another first for the sport of Basketball, University of Massachusetts Basketball player Derrick Gordon came out as Gay to his coaches and team mates last week.  Today he told his story to the world on OutSports.  There is also a companion story on ESPN on Gordon who has become the first NCAA Division 1 student athlete in a major sport to come out.  He was aided in his coming out process by You Can Play's executive director Wade Davis and out Basketball Coach Anthony Nicodemo.  

Gordon's story is compelling, growing up in a self described 'bad neighborhood', his basketball skills provided him an opportunity most young men in communities like his rarely get except for sports.  He has made the most of his opportunity.  Gordon has aspirations for success at the college level and later to take his talents to the NBA.  He couldn't, however, achieve his goals while he was living a lie.  In fact, trying to hide from himself almost drove him from the sport he loves.  With the assistance of Davis and Nicodemo, Gordon was able to conquer his demons and find his freedom to face not just his coaches and team mates, but himself.  Head on over to Outsports to read his story for yourselves and watch his video interview with Cyd Ziegler.

While I was casting about for today's contents, I was in a Cello mood so your Musical Moment for today features 6 Sonatas for Cello by Benedetto Marcello as performed by Claudio Cassedei.  Included in the play lists are Sonatas # 1 Sonata in F Major; # 2 Sonata in E minor; # 3 Sonata in A Minor; # 4 Sonata in G Minor; # 5 in C Major and # 6 in G Major.  I also liked a piece I heard on Venice Classic Radio after I got home from work last night so I went looking for it on You Tube.  I found  a video of Franz Schubert's Gran Duo for Violin and Piano in A Major made from a rare vinyl recording by Fritz Kriesler on Violin and Serge Rachmaninoff at the Piano which you may hear over on my tumblr.

Then we return to the wet and the wild for your man art of the day with a collection of hunks and hotties as they splash about pools,beaches and baths in this week's edition of Wet Wednesday along with your Hottie of the Day! over on my tumblr.  Thanks for stopping in, see you again soon.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!