Last year, we talked a lot about supporting the You Can Play Project and LGBT members of the Columbus hockey community during last year’s NHL lockout, including heavy promotion of OSU hockey’s pride night, which at the time was the first division I NCAA Hockey program to support YCP.
Recently, OSU AD Gene Smith talked about the importance of supporting the LGBT community at large and within the athletic programs, and OSU is putting its money where its mouth is by organizing what I hope will be a new tradition for the hockey program.
This year’s pride night is getting produced with the help of Gay Hockey Ohio, and will see the team taking on the Michigan State Spartans on January 11th. I admit, the Jackets will be in Winnipeg that night, but I suspect we’ll get a few score updates during the evening.
General admission tickets are available, but GHO is also offering a special ticket package that includes pre-game cocktails in The Boardroom under section 127 and lower bowl seating for $10 a person. Proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to Kaleidoscope Youth Center, plus your ticket stub will also get you into the The Garage dance club that night for free.
Here at The Cannon, we’re strong supporters of our LGBT friends, family, and teammates. We firmly believe in the message of the YCP Project, and hope to see you there to help support our community in Columbus.
Hate has no place in hockey, for any reason, and if you can play, You Can Play.