Athlete of the Year Finalists

The competition was very tough!

These three came very close to winning the contest, maybe next year!

Athlete of the Year Finalist: Wayne Knaub
Philadelphia
Never the best athlete on his team, Wayne Knaub has had an impact in his gay sports community like few others. In his role as Commissioner of the Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League he has turned the fledgling group from mere pick-up league to one with a board of directors, bylaws and a season with four full teams. In his one year on the job Wayne has led the organization in a number of positive directions, including one of community fundraising and awareness. (Recently players filmed an “It Gets Better” video aimed at gay youth.)

Wayne, who was active in a number of NYC gay sports leagues before moving to Philly, supplements his football resume with regular participation in volleyball, tennis and dodgeball. Additionally, this past year Wayne began writing a sports blog for Philly Magazine. The kid with asthma who couldn’t participate in sports growing up but went on to swim for Division III Lebanon Valley College as a walk-on has become quite the leader in his community.
“I may not be the best athlete on the team,” says Wayne, “but I am a leader on and off the field with my spirit and sense of community.”

Athlete of the Year Finalist: David Rae
Irvine, Calif.
The sport of cycling has given David an amazing vehicle to merge his social, philanthropic and athletic worlds into one. The son of an NFL quarterback has used his cycling talent as a means to become involved with a host of charities.
“Cycling, specifically AIDS/LifeCycle, has allowed me to introduce friends from my social arena to a new sport, as well as help them become more passionate about a great cause – the fight against HIV/AIDS,” David wrote in his application.

While growing up in conservative Orange County he participated in numerous team sports, but it wasn’t until after coming out as an adult that he discovered his true passion: cycling. It has led him to a variety of charity cycling and triathlon events, highlighted by his annual 561-mile journey with the AIDS/LifeCycle. He has become the captain of “Team Popular” and now leads 25 riders from across the U.S. and Europe on the annual trek. Earlier this year Team Popular was tops among fundraising groups, raising $160,000. The LifeCycle, he admits, has turned him into an obsessive cyclist and fundraiser: “I love riding my bike and if I can make a difference in other’s lives then it’s a true win-win for everyone.”

Athlete of the Year Finalist: Eddie Valentine
Washington, D.C.
The 28 member clubs of Team DC were unanimous in their nomination of Eddie as our Athlete of the Year.
"It is hard to imagine a more likeable, yet competitive person than Eddie,” Team DC President Brent Minor says.

While Eddie’s accomplishments as a competitive runner are impressive and well-documented, most D.C.-area athletes know him as someone who is always there to offer an encouraging word, a cheer, training advice or pace a fellow runner. His approach to racing and to his team help him stand out at a crowded starting line.Beyond his own work with the DC Frontrunners, Eddie has helped Team DC with outreach events at the DC Black Pride Festival and with the popular Night OUT at the Nationals game.

A lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers fan, Eddie can wave a Terrible Towel with the best of them, and can often be found at Nellie’s Sports Bar coordinating the table of Black & Gold fans. In their nomination letter, Team DC wrote: “We are proud to support his nomination and know his example of strong athleticism and genuine teamwork are exactly what makes an Athlete of the Year.”