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Liz Hogan on Being an LGBTQ+ Member in Sports

COURTESY OF THE WPLL

Liz Hogan is a professional lacrosse player who plays for Pride of the WPLL and Team USA. Syracuse University’s all-time saves leader, Hogan spoke to Just Women’s Sports about what it means to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community in the world of sports, how lacrosse can become more inclusive, and how she’s using her platform to press for change. 

What does it mean to you to openly be a member of the LGBTQ+ community in sports?

For me, the biggest thing is that it gives me a purpose because I want to add another story, another example, another outlet for other people to understand the LGBTQ+ community. Then, if they are a little bit more understanding of their own sexuality and realize that maybe they fall into this community, I can give them an outlet to find a role model, find a mentor, and realize that it is possible to be a great athlete and a great person, while still being gay. There are a lot of stigmas surrounding gay people. To be able to be out and open, I can shed extra light on the kind of person you can be, even if other people are labeling you in a negative way.

How does your mindset change from being a member of the LGBTQ+ community in sports to general life? 

I am definitely outspoken in the world of lacrosse and on my Instagram. When it comes to life outside of sports, though, I am a pretty private person. It’s not like I won’t go wave a flag or anything, but I’m more private. I found the love of my life. I have a fiancé and I’m super passionate about having a great life with her. I do teach in a Catholic school, which is interesting, but they are supportive of me. It’s something that I haven’t really brought up to my students, mostly because they are so young. But once the time comes, I hope I can show them the paths that I’ve taken and be a sounding board for them when they’re going through difficult times.

You mentioned being a role model in the lacrosse community for younger players dealing with similar issues about coming out. Do you think this applies to your students, too?  

For sure. Living in California, it is a little bit easier than anywhere else. I am thankful that the school that I work at has been super supportive. We’ve had transgender people, we’ve had gay people, we’ve had bisexual people. Despite the fact that there is this connotation that if you’re Catholic, you can’t be those things, the school is super welcoming and open to the kids. I do look forward to being a role model for my students, but I’m also thankful for the groundwork that has already been laid out for us.

Do you think that being an athlete helped to give you the confidence to come out?

I don’t know if it gave me the confidence to come out. I would say, if anything, it might have actually sheltered me for a little bit longer because I could be out to my teammates, but I had that buffer where I didn’t have to tell my parents. I had this comfort zone where I could tell a couple of people, but at the same time, it protected me from having to deal with truly being out to closer family and friends. If I wasn’t part of an athletic community, I wouldn’t have had that. I don’t think it’s necessarily right or wrong. I think we all have our own stories and our own timelines. I am thankful that athletics introduced me to a lot of people who helped me to find myself and who helped me to navigate the process of coming out. I don’t think I would have met those people without athletics.

Do you think that the lacrosse teams you have been a part of have been inclusive?

Yes. I think women’s lacrosse is unique in that teams are pretty inclusive — at least the teams that I’ve been a part of and the majority that I’ve heard of. I have always felt super comfortable around my teammates and my coaches. I definitely was never the only gay person or the only person who identified as LGBTQ+ on the team either, so I’m thankful in that sense. There has been a pretty wide awareness in women’s lacrosse, at least recently. A lot of our founding sisters who started lacrosse in the U.S. were gay themselves, so we kind of have a leg up in that department.

Do you think that there is still room for women’s lacrosse to improve inclusivity, and if so, how?

A hundred percent. While people are inclusive and generally welcoming, I think a lot more can be done in terms of the conversations we have in our locker rooms. How can we create inclusive environments without having to have that person come out, right? Most people will be nice to you when you come out, but what is the environment and what are the conversations happening beforehand? And not just about the LGBTQ+ community, but about Black Lives Matter, too. Are we inclusive to everyone in that locker room, regardless of what you can and can’t see? There is no visible sign when someone is gay — you can hide it from people. The important thing is making sure everyone feels included, even if they are unsure about who they are at the moment.

Do you feel obligated as an athlete to use your platform to speak out on LGBTQ+ issues?

I have battled this throughout the past few years as social media has become a bigger part of our lives. Initially, I was hesitant for various reasons, from not wanting to upset sponsors to not wanting to upset my own family when I knew they weren’t comfortable with it. Recently, I have definitely embraced it more. I think of myself growing up and the role models that I wish I would have had. I really hope that by being my authentic self, it allows other people to understand and to see that it’s okay, and to maybe find their own path a little bit easier.

Your fiancé is a former lacrosse player. How long have you two been engaged for? 

Well, that is a tricky question. We got engaged last year. We were actually supposed to be married right now. We were supposed to get married last Friday. So, we’ve been engaged for about a year. Our backup wedding date is August 14th, and then our backup backup date is next June. If it doesn’t happen then, I told her we’re just eloping, and I’m done with it.

What is it like to share a sport with your significant other?

It’s interesting because we have two very different perspectives about lacrosse. She played at USC, finished her career, and that was it. She didn’t want to play professionally. She didn’t want to play for the U.S. team. She was content with where she was after college. We all have different experiences. Even I took a year off after college because I wasn’t sure if I still wanted to play. I was burnt out. It’s been nice to have her as a sounding board while I am playing and she’s not. I can always tell her what’s going on, and she gets it. She’s not like some person who’s never seen the sport and thinks I’m catching butterflies. It’s nice to have someone that is athletic and can shoot on me and can help me train. But, then it’s also nice to have someone who understands the mental toughness that goes into it as well.

You recently participated in a speaker series for U.S. Lacrosse in celebration of Pride Month, speaking about equality in sports. What was that experience like? 

U.S. Lacrosse is hosting a four-part speaker series with two moderators, one men’s national team player and one women’s national team player. I participated in one that was about life as an LGBTQ athlete. I think there are a lot of athletes who question their own identity and there are a lot of coaches who want to know what they can do to better support their players. I found it really cool that U.S. Lacrosse sent the speaker series out to their members. They are always talking about inclusivity and sometimes the LGBTQ+ community can be overlooked since we are a minority in the sport. We need to make sure that we are continuing to educate people.

U.S. Lacrosse also created another initiative called Clinics for Change. What is this program about? 

Between the men’s and women’s programs, we decided to have four simultaneous clinics based on your position, not based on your gender. The players will be learning from the men’s national team players and the women’s national team players. While people pay to attend the clinics, we will not be making any profit. All of the proceeds will go to four different organizations revolving around Black Lives Matter and Athlete Ally, which is an LGBTQ+ platform for athletes.

We are really trying to use our social media and our current status on the U.S. national team to drive change. We are all volunteering our time to teach lacrosse at a really low rate, which is super cool. At the same time, we are passing it forward. Not only are we helping people to understand the sport, but we are using the proceeds to benefit people who may not even play lacrosse.

Lacrosse is a predominantly white sport. What do you think it means for the lacrosse community to come together in an initiative like this? 

I’ve seen the lacrosse community come together so much over the past two weeks or so. Normally the focus would be on celebrating Pride Month, but I think we are all starting to realize that we have to be each other’s allies, whether you’re black, whether you’re gay, whatever it is. We are all realizing that, at the end of day, we are all lacrosse players. It is our duty to be allies to one another. It has been incredible to see some of the biggest names in lacrosse step up to promote education about inclusivity. Our first goal is to just get people talking. I’m hopeful this is not a two-week or a one-month trend. I’m hoping we continue the conversation beyond this month.

You play for the U.S. women’s national team. How does the training and selection for the team work? 

The way the U.S. team works is interesting. The World Cup is in 2021 — fingers crossed it happens. The last go around was in 2017 and, before that, 2013. It’s every four years like the soccer World Cup. It used to be that you tried out in the summer and then you would be on the national team for the entire year. Recently, they have taken on the model of U.S. Soccer where there are training camps that you are either invited or uninvited to each month. Right now, we’ve been training with a pretty consistent cohort of athletes, so we identify as being on the U.S. women’s national team. However, only 18 of us can go to the World Cup in 2021, so it will get pared down. I’ve been a part of the training program since 2012, so it’s been awhile.

Everything is up in the air right now with COVD-19. Have they made any announcements about upcoming events for Team USA?

We have Zoom calls every few weeks to get updates. We were supposed to be in training camps right now, but that didn’t happen. As far as I know, U.S. lacrosse has pushed off everything through July. They’re hoping to get things started up in August. They are trying to hold the Fall Classic at the U.S. Lacrosse headquarters, and then hopefully have something in November and January, as well. It’s hard because it might look good now, but what if there is a spike in September? You just never know.

You also play for the WPLL Pride. Your season was unfortunately cancelled this year, but what excites you about playing for the WPLL? 

For me, the coolest thing is that we get to see the best talent from around the world in a small number of games. On the national level, you’re putting the best players per nation on one team, but there are a lot of really good players who don’t make it to that final team. So, the best part about the WPLL is showcasing that talent in front of young lacrosse players, who can then aspire to be a professional women’s lacrosse player themselves. We are able to show them the really cool things you can do with women’s lacrosse.

Gotham FC Signs Record-Breaking Sponsorship Deal with Dove

Emily Sonnett shows off the new Dove sponsorship above her last name on her Gotham jersey.
Dove's partnership with Gotham is the brand's first major investment in a women's sports team. (Gotham FC)

Gotham and Dove are teaming up, with the 2023 NWSL champs signing a record-setting multi-year kit partnership with the beauty brand on Thursday.

As Dove's first major investment in a women's sports team, the move also ranks as the highest-ever back-of-jersey sponsorship deal in NWSL history.

While Gotham did not provide specific numbers, the contract surpasses Bay FC's then-record $500,000 deal with private equity giant Sixth Street.

Dove joins Gotham in fight to keep girls in sports

The partnership is a part of Gotham's "Keep Her in the Game" initiative, a community effort launched last August to help adolescent girls stay in sports. Dove will serve as the program's presenting sponsor.

"Dove is the ultimate leader in female strength and empowerment, and we could not be prouder to partner with the brand in a number of impactful ways," Gotham FC chief business officer Ryan Dillon said in the team's release. "We are excited to team up with Dove to create key pathways for young female athletes to stay in sports, develop confidence, and become strong future leaders."

"The partnership is taking effect at a crucial time when supporting girls in sports has never been more important."

With girls twice as likely as boys to abandon sports by age 14, "Keep Her in the Game" aims to bolster young athletes' resilience and amplify the joy and connection that happens on and off the playing field.

After impacting 30 local New Jersey and New York youth clubs and more than 500 players in 2024, the initiative is aiming to double its reach in 2025. It will also pass the proverbial mic to the young athletes themselves by creating a Youth Leadership Council.

"The data is clear: Sports build confidence, leadership skills and resilience in young women, benefiting them for years to come," stated Laura DiMiceli, the head of personal care sports marketing for Dove's parent company, Unilever North America. "Dove is committed to supporting 'Keep Her in the Game' as part of our overall mission to help young girls pursue sports and keep playing the games they love."

Unrivaled to Crown First-Ever 1v1 Tournament Champion

Lunar Owls forward Napheesa Collier dribbles the ball during an Unrivaled game.
Napheesa Collier is one of four Unrivaled players competing for the 1v1 tournament's $200,000 prize. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Unrivaled 3×3 Basketball will crown its first-ever 1v1 tournament champion on Friday night, when all four semifinalists take the court with a $200,000 grand prize on the line.

Vinyl guard Arike Ogunbowale will kick off the semis against Mist forward Aaliyah Edwards, before Unrivaled co-founder and Lunar Owls forward Napheesa Collier faces Rose forward Azurá Stevens. The victors will immediately advance to the night's best-of-three final series.

Notably, Friday's set puts alma mater pride on center court. A trio of UConn alums in Collier, Stevens, and Edwards will all clock in, while Ogunbowale reps Notre Dame — one of just three teams to beat the Huskies this NCAA season.

Along with those priceless bragging rights, the semifinalists are battling for a six-figure payday, though none will leave empty-handed. Each are guaranteed at least $25,000, with $50,000 on deck for the tournament's runner-up.

The players' Unrivaled teammates will also be watching with interest, as the winner's entire 3×3 team will snag $10,000 each.

Though 1v1 can feel like a schoolyard version of basketball, with this much money involved, expect the competition to rise miles above playground tussles.

Rose BC's Angel Reese defends Mist forward Aaliyah Edwards during an Unrivaled game.
Aaliyah Edwards is one of three UConn alums in the Unrivaled 1v1 semifinals. (Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Endurance could decide Unrivaled 1v1 tournament champion

Friday's format is in part a test of stamina, as players stare down a grueling schedule where the eventual winner must play either three or four 1v1 games in a single night.

To that end, Collier's elite conditioning could make her the favorite, if she can outlast Stevens in the pair's semifinal.

"Her motor is unmatched," Stevens said of Collier's endurance, a key factor in her success so far. "I try to conserve some energy in between possessions, especially when the games get really tiring."

Motors aside, Friday's title will boil down to fundamentals — and which athlete best leverages their personal skillset.

"I have to use my size and stick to my strengths," said Edwards. "It’s about imposing my will and getting the job done."

How to watch the Unrivaled 1v1 tournament finals

The inaugural Unrivaled 1v1 tournament concludes on Friday. Live coverage begins at 7:30 PM ET on TNT.

USC Beats UCLA as JuJu Watkins Ends Bruins’ Undefeated NCAA Season

USC's JuJu Watkins drives to the basket between UCLA's Janiah Barker and Elina Aarnisalo.
Watkins scored 38 points to hand UCLA their first loss of the season. (Robert Hanashiro/Imagn Images)

The last perfect DI basketball season has officially fallen, as USC phenom JuJu Watkins put up a historic performance to lead the No. 6 Trojans to a 71-60 win over then-undefeated No. 1 UCLA on Thursday.

Watkins finished the night with 38 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and eight blocks, becoming the first DI player to register an overall stat-line so robust in 20 years.

"It took everything. It's been a rough couple weeks for me," Watkins said after the game, referencing uncharacteristic performances leading up to Thursday's rivalry matchup. "To be able to kind of snap back into it and get into my rhythm here at Galen versus UCLA, it's really all I could ask for."

"I'm really just like a kid out there and living out my dream."

Throughout the back-and-forth battle, Watkins's consistency made all the difference. She scored every one of USC's 14 second-quarter points, and helped lead a monster fourth quarter in which the Trojans slammed the door by outscoring the Bruins 24-8.

"I didn't teach JuJu any of that," commented USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb after the game. "[I] just try to put her in situations to be her best self, and she does most of that work. What I was so impressed with tonight, obviously, was just the mentality she came out with."

With the marquee win, USC now sits firmly atop the Big Ten. That said, UCLA will have a chance to avenge the loss in the pair's March 1st rematch, when that final regular-season game could decide the conference title.

Until then, the Trojans will be riding high on their Thursday night dominance.

"We'll never forget this night," Gottlieb said. "It's as good as anything I've ever seen."

UConn star Paige Bueckers dribbles the ball during a game.
UConn takes on South Carolina on Sunday. (Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)

How to watch Top 10 NCAA basketball this weekend

With no undefeated teams left in DI basketball, Watkins's performance has put the field on notice to not make any assumptions about who might end up on top.

While Sunday will see USC roll against unranked Washington and UCLA try to bounce back against No. 22 Michigan State, the NCAA slate will also serve up two huge Top 10 matchups.

First, No. 7 UConn will take their final major regular-season test when they visit No. 4 South Carolina at 1 PM ET, when Paige Bueckers and the Huskies will aim to pull off a similarly impressive USC-inspired upset.

Then at 3 PM ET, No. 5 LSU heads to No. 3 Texas, where the Tigers will hunt their first win over the Longhorns in more than 22 years.

Both elite meetings are set to air live on ABC.

Pro Women’s Lacrosse League Debuts at WLL Championship Series

A promotional graphic for the WLL Championship Series.
The WLL played its first-ever pro games at this week's Lexus Championship Series. (ESPN)

The brand-new professional Women's Lacrosse League (WLL) made its official debut this week just outside of Washington, DC, where its first-ever game saw the New York Charging take down the Maryland Charm 14-13 in the WLL Championship Series.

After the inaugural Tuesday result, the action continued on Wednesday, when the California Palms opened their WLL account by getting the better of the Boston Guard in a tight 16-15 matchup.

Founded and run by the Premier Lacrosse League, the WLL fosters top-level competition as the sport gears up for its 2028 Olympic return.

The four-team WLL Championship Series follows an Olympic-style "sixes" format. Unlike traditional lacrosse, which uses a larger pitch and 10 athletes per team, sixes employs a condensed field with six players per side.

In the Championship Series, teams are first competing in three round-robin games to determine semifinal seedings. The tournament will culminate with the knockout semifinal and final rounds on Sunday and Monday, respectively.

Team USA lacrosse star Charlotte North gestures during a 2022 World Championship game.
Team USA star Charlotte North competes for the WLL's Boston Guard. (Ryan Hunt/Getty Images)

WLL looks to level up lacrosse ahead of 2028 Olympics

Despite the competition's quick turnaround, the WLL represents a growing professionalization movement in women's lacrosse — with all involved betting big on the sport's Olympic success in LA.

When lacrosse steps back onto the Olympic stage in 2028, it will have been 80 years since its last 1948 outing — and even then, it was merely a demonstration event. The last time the sport earned medals was in 1908.

Furthermore, the sport's entire Olympic history rests in the men's game — 2028 will see women take the Olympic lacrosse pitch for the first time ever.

"We are honored to be a part of the WLL, and we couldn't be more excited to bring this game to the fans in new ways than ever before," said Boston Guard star Charlotte North in a league statement.

"We firmly believe that this is the beginning of what will be a monumental movement in the game of professional women's lacrosse, and for female athletes around the globe.... It's our time."

Former Northwestern lacrosse star Izzy Scane shoots the ball during an NCAA game.
Izzy Scane, the NCAA DI lacrosse career scoring leader, plays for the New York Charging. (Greg Fiume/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

How to watch the WLL Championship Series

The tournament's round-robin play continues with the Maryland Charm facing off against the Boston guard at 9 PM ET on Thursday, before the California Palms contend with the New York Charging at 6 PM ET on Friday.

All WLL Championship Series games will stream live on ESPN+, with Sunday's and Monday's knockout rounds airing live on ESPN2.

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