Saturday, October 7, 2006

Who's Really on First? Gay MLB Umpire Talks about the Issues of Sexual Orientation in Public and Private Life, October 10

Chestertown, MD, October 6, 2006 — Washington College presents "Who's Really on First? The Experiences of a Gay Umpire Who Changed the Face of Major League Baseball," a talk by former MLB umpire Dave Pallone, Tuesday, October 10, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. in the Tawes Theatre. The event is free and the public is invited to attend. A book signing will follow.

Pallone worked for 18 years as a professional umpire, ten with the National Baseball league. His 1990 best selling autobiography, Behind the Mask: My Double Life in Baseball, explored his life as a gay man in professional sports. As the third youngest umpire in the game's history, Pallone demonstrated courage and professionalism amidst the adversities, enmities and controversies of Major League Baseball. He has shared his unique perspectives on professional sports and the issues of sexual orientation through numerous television and radio programs, including Larry King Live, The Today Show, Phil Donahue and CBS Morning.

In 1995, Pallone appeared on stage with tennis great Martina Navritilova at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, for a candid conversation about their personal and professional lives—the first time two prominent, openly gay people in professional sports appeared on stage. Pallone was also featured in ESPN's 1998 documentary, "Homophobia in Sports," and was recently named as one of the 100 Men of the Century by Genre Magazine. He has brought his program "Who's on First?" to dozens of colleges and universities and, through his work, has made a significant contribution to society by educating and enlightening people to the not-so-openly-discussed realities and issues of sexual orientation.

The talk is sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs, Student-Athlete Mentors, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Campus Visitors and Speakers Committee, Student Government Association, Interfraternity Council, and Panhellenic Council.

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