FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SIN CITY CLASSIC SPORTS FESTIVAL OPENS NOMINATIONS FOR 3RD ANNUAL KEN SCEARCE LEADERSHIP AWARD
Each year the LGBTQ+ sports festival honors an individual whose leadership and dedication betters a local LGBTQ+ sports league.
LOS ANGELES – (October XX, 2023) – The Sin City Classic Sports Festival Presented by Lexus, the world’s largest annual LGBTQ+ sporting event, today opened nominations for the 3rd annual Ken Scearce Leadership Award. Each year, the festival honors the memory and legacy of Ken Scearce, the festival’s late Executive Director who passed away suddenly in 2021, by recognizing an individual whose leadership and dedication has bettered their local LGBTQ+ sports league. The Ken Scearce Leadership Award will be presented at this year’s festival.
“Ken was dedicated to expanding the LGBTQ+ sports community. He worked tirelessly to grow the Sin City Classic and make sure all athletes were able to compete and have fun in a safe and welcoming environment,” said Sin City Classic co-Directors Larry Ruiz and Jason Peplinski. “The organizers of the festival created this award to honor a member of the LGBTQ+ sports community who shares Ken’s passion and exhibits all the traits that Ken embodied, including leadership, dedication, and community.”
Presented annually, the Ken Scearce Leadership Award recognizes athletes, coaches, referees, and other volunteers who dedicate their time and skills to promoting the value and importance of LGBTQ+ sports. Their participation, both on and off the playing field, inspires others within their organization and builds community. Their hard work and selfless commitment directly and positively impact the lives of others.
The inaugural Ken Scearce Leadership Award was presented to Andrew Miller in 2022. Miller has dedicated himself to evolving LGBTQ+ sports across America, leading Varsity Gay League (now Out Loud Sports) in the development of new programs, training new staff, and establishing strong relationships with sponsors that support the queer community.
In 2023, the festival honored Tommy Otterbine. Otterbine founded the National Intercollegiate Running Club Association and the Richmond chapter of Stonewall Sports to provide accessible and inclusive competition to the community. He’s been an advocate and leader for the LGBTQ+ sporting community on the Stonewall Sports Board of Directors, the Compete Sports Diversity Council, and currently in OutLoud Sports.
The organizing committee of the Sin City Classic will determine the winner of the Ken Scearce Leadership Award based on the following criteria:
You can submit your nomination for the Ken Scearce Leadership Award here or via email by completing this form. Nominees should not be self-nominated, and all information submitted in the nomination form must be accurate.
The Greater Los Angeles Softball Association (GLASA) created the Sin City Classic in 2008 as an LGBTQ+ softball tournament meant to provide a safe and competitive atmosphere for LGBTQ+ athletes. Over the past 16 years the tournament has grown to include 24 sports and approximately 10,000 athletes and fans. GLASA remains committed to creating the best experience possible for diverse roster of dedicated athletes who participate and the fans and allies to come to enjoy the festival.
The Sin City Classic is proudly hosted at the Flamingo Las Vegas. Additional sponsors include presenting sponsor, Lexus, as well as Caesar’s Entertainment, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, ViiV Healthcare and Piranha Nightclub.
For more information about the Sin City Classic or to register your team, please visit www.sincityclassic.org.
About GLASA
GLASA is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization that encourages and hosts the participation of LGBTQ individuals and their allies in organized sporting competitions.
