This Friday, Springfield College will celebrate Tom Waddell, who graduated from the school in 1959. Waddell was an Olympian, doctor and civil rights activist. Most notably he founded the Gay Games in the early 1980’s. The Gay Games are held every four years, and welcome athletes of all sexual orientations and ability levels to participate. Waddell, who was gay, died of AIDS in 1987.
However, Waddell’s alma mater was slow to acknowledge his accomplishments and his sexual orientation. Springfield College communications professor Marty Dobrow describes Waddell’s motivation for creating the Gay Games.
To hear the interview with Marty Dobrow, click on the audio player above.