"We thought it was a great idea to show the community how we feel about homosexuality in sports, and let people know that anyone can play on our team," said UConn captain Sean Ambrosie according to USAToday.
About 100 athletes have pledged support for the program, but UConn is one of only eight groups to pledge support. Coach Bruce Marshall credits the players with the idea for the videos, though he cautioned them to be prepared to deal with criticism from conservative groups.
The University of Connecticut men's hockey team wants to win games, and it will take any player who can help make that happen, regardless of sexual orientation. That's the message in two videos that Husky players have produced in support of the international You Can Play program. Launched in March, You Can Play seeks to eradicate homophobia in hockey by extending an invite to gay athletes, as well as
transgender athletes.
"We thought it was a great idea to show the community how we feel about homosexuality in sports, and let people know that anyone can play on our team," said UConn captain Sean Ambrosie according to USAToday.
About 100 athletes have pledged support for the program, but UConn is one of only eight groups to pledge support. Coach Bruce Marshall credits the players with the idea for the videos, though he cautioned them to be prepared to deal with criticism from conservative groups.
"They came to me about it and I said, 'You need to be behind it. You can't just do it because it sounds good today. It has to be something you want to really support,' " Marshall recalled.
"It's not going to bother us at all," Ambrosie said. "We did this because we want to show our support, and other people's opinions aren't going to have any effect on us."
