Pace University Hosts “Pride Hoops Night” To Promote LGBTQA+ Inclusion in Sports

Over 300 Pace University Faculty, Staff, Students, and Community Partners in Attendance

Free throw Contest Raises $2,550 for Pace Cares Fund

Pace University on Wednesday hosted its annual LGBTQA+ Pride Hoops Night, a collaboration between Pace University's Office of Gender & Sexuality and Pace Athletics.

The tradition began in 2016, following the tragedy at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, to make a bold and positive statement to address hate and show that Pace is a welcoming and supportive institution to the LGBTQA+ community.

"I love that we have continued the tradition of Pride Hoops," said Rachel Simon, the Associate Director of the Office of Gender and Sexuality and LGBTQA+ Center. "It is a great opportunity for Athletics and the LGBTQA+ Center to partner and show the Pace community our shared values. It sends a great message of support both from the athletics department to queer identified community members and from the LGBTQA+ center to student-athletes."

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The event featured a double-header of the men’s and women’s basketball game vs. Adelphi University. Halftime of each game featured drag performances by Miz Jade. Additionally, halftime of the women’s game featured a free throw contest between Pace University President Marvin Krislov and Pace head football coach Andy Rondeau. For every free throw made, Pace Director of Athletics Mark Brown donated to the Pace Cares Fund, which provides emergency financial relief to students who face unforeseeable economic hardships. President Krislov also donated to the fund; in all, the friendly competition raised $2,550. These needs range from housing, to travel, and to technology access to health and wellness.

“At Pace University, we value diversity, equity, and inclusion across our campuses,” said President Krislov. “Our annual Pride Hoops Night is a great way to celebrate the LGBTQA+ community in our community while showcasing our Setter Spirit. It was a wonderful evening all around.”

Community organizations that participated included the Westchester County Human Rights Commission, Hillels of Westchester, Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center, Westchester Medical Center Health Ally Care Center, Putnam Northern Westchester Women's Resource Center, and Westchester County LGBTQ+ Advisory Board.

In 2022, Pace University has been named as one of the 40 best colleges and universities across the country for LGBTQA+ students by Campus Pride, the preeminent resource for LGBTQA+ leadership development, inclusion, and advocacy within higher education. In addition, Pace University is among 40 four-year campuses from across the country that have achieved 5 out of 5 stars on the Campus Pride Index (CPI), the definitive national benchmarking tool measuring LGBTQ-friendly policies, programs, and practices.

About Pace University

Since 1906, Pace University has educated thinking professionals by providing high quality education for the professions on a firm base of liberal learning amid the advantages of the New York metropolitan area. A private university, Pace has campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York, enrolling nearly 13,000 students in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in its Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Lubin School of Business, College of Health Professions, School of Education, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

About Pace University Athletics

Pace University Athletics is a member of NCAA Division II, competing within the Northeast-10 Conference (NE10). Pace Athletics sponsors 15 intercollegiate sports, along with cheer and dance teams and a Pep Band. Known as the Setters, Pace’s official mascot is known as T-Bone. In 2021-22, Pace student-athletes posted a cumulative grade point average of 3.33. Additionally, a total of 562 Setters were selected to the NE10’s Academic Honor Roll with 69 student-athletes earning Academic Excellence with 4.0 semester GPAs. Twenty two student-athletes earned NE10 President’s Award for Academic Excellence, recognizing graduating student-athletes who have attained Magna Cum Laude at their institution, have participated in at least two seasons of NE10 competition and are current student-athletes at the time of graduation.