I don’t often post personal news. But several people insisted I include this, so here goes:
“06880” founder/writer/former Staples High School soccer coach Dan Woog has been named to the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame. The announcement says this year’s class “recognizes trailblazers who have made significant contributions to sports, advocacy and inclusion. This year’s honorees have demonstrated unwavering commitment to equity, representation, and leadership in athletics.”
Among the 10 honorees: Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts, former WNBA star Sue Wicks, and “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts.
They’ll be inducted June 25, at a New York dinner. Also honored that night: Glenn Burke Award winners Billie Jean King, and Jason Collins, the first active NBA player to come out publicly.
Woog was one of the first coaches in the country — at any level — to come out as gay. He went on to write 2 books — “Jocks: True Stories of America’s Gay Male Athletes” and “Jocks 2: Coming Out to Play” — that were the first anywhere to address the subject of gay athletes.
He also wrote books on LGBTQ issues in education and the workplace, and on the importance of straight allies. He spoke nationally — from Maine to Alaska — on those subjects.
Woog founded the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s LGBTQ advocacy group. He later joined the United Soccer Coaches’ (the organization’s new name) board of directors, overseeing LGBTQ, Black, Hispanic, Asian American, Native American, women’s, faith-based, disabilities, high school and military servicemembers’ coaching groups.
As Staples coach from 2003-21, Woog’s teams won 4 FCIAC (league) championships, and 1 league title. He is a member of both the Connecticut Soccer and FCIAC Halls of Fame.
A Brown University alumn, he also co-founded Staples High School’s Gay-Straight Alliance — the first at any Connecticut public school — and the Triangle Community Center’s OutSpoken youth group, which he led for 23 years.
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Speaking of sports: A familiar Westport face popped up on “Shark Tank.” The episode airs tonight (Wednesday) at 10 p.m. (ABC-TV, and streaming on Hulu).
Kyle Martino — the soccer star who won MLS Rookie of the Year honors, and played with the US national team — vied to win $250,000 for his app. Street FC connects players looking for pick-up soccer games, in cities around the country.
Martino — who was 1999 Gatorade National Player of the Year at Staples — was shown in a photo with his brother (and former teammate) Wes.
And though he described his love for pick-up (unstructured) soccer, Martino did not mention that it was honed while growing up in Westport — the town where he once again lives, and directs Street FC (and many more soccer-related projects) from.
Click here for an Instagram reel of Martino’s pitch.
Kyle Martino, on “Shark Tank.”
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Bitter cold did not deter a small crowd from gathering yesterday on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.
They were part of a nationwide “Free America” protest. It coincided with the first anniversary of President Trump’s second inauguration.
Protest on the Post Road bridge. (Photo/Rowene Weems)
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The Sweet Remains — Greg Naughton’s band, and longtime Fairfield County favorites with their Crosby Stills & Nash/Simon & Garfunkel/Eagles/John Mayer/Jason Mraz-type harmonies and warmth — are this Saturday’s Westport Country Playhouse headliners (January 24, 8 p.m.).
Tickets are selling fast, for the group with over 65 million Spotify streams. Their latest album, “Embers,” was produced by Grammy Award winner Andy Zulla.
Tickets are $40, $45, and $55. To purchase, and for more information, click here.
The Sweet Remains
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DanceBody has shimmied into Westport.
The new studio celebrates their new 25 Sylvan Road South space with an opening party tomorrow (Thursday, January 22, 5 to 7 p.m.).
The event includes music, cocktails and “good energy.” Children are welcome.
DanceBody “blends functional training with the joy and artistry of dance, to deliver a workout that is as effective as it is empowering.” It focuses on “full-body movement, coordination, strength, and endurance. Classes incorporate aerobic conditioning and resistance training in a “dance-driven, constant progression (that) creates an energizing environment that builds both confidence and community.”
DanceBody began in New York City. This is its first suburban studio. For more information, click here.
DanceBody
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What’s ahead at MoCA\CT?
Plenty. The calendar includes:
“Community Conversation With Kathryn Turley-Sonne & Rachel Churner” (January 29, 6 p.m.): A panel discussion on the exhibition “Enough Already: Women Artists from the Sara M. + Michelle Vance Waddell Collection,” and the groundbreaking feminist work of Carolee Schneemann featured in it.
“Film Screening of Eva Hesse, with a Q&A with filmmaker Marcie Begleiter” (February 6, 6 p.m.): Documentary on the life and impact of an influential sculptor.
“Westport Writers Workshop, with Amanda Parrish Morgan & Liz Matthews”
Inspired by the current Mo\CA exhibit. Attendees will write from what draws them in, and share work in an encouraging, creative environment. All writers are welcome — “no pressure, just possibility.”
“Opening Reception: Art, Jazz & The Blues” (February 26, 6 p.m.; $10). The exhibit explores powerful intersections between visual art and music, drawing from the rich holdings of the Westport Public Art Collections.
The exhibition centers on “Giants of the Blues,” 7 sweepin group portraits by Westport native Eric von Schmidt honoring blues, jazz and folk musicians from the 1920s to the 1960s (currently hung in his alma mater Staples High School’s auditorium foyer).
Complementing von Schmidt’s paintings are 40 works from the WestPAC collection depicting musicians, inspired by musical themes, or exploring the resonances between musical and visual forms.
Among the local and international artists: Ann Chernow, Eric Chiang, James Daugherty, Lisa Daugherty, Stevan Dohanos, Frances Gershwin Godowsky, Joan Miró, Robert Rauschenberg, Barbara Rothenberg, Eric von Schmidt, Larry Silver and Tracy Sugarman.
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Not everyone goes out for a romantic dinner on Valentine’s Day.
So Marilyn Zavidow is throwing a Valentine’s Theatre Party, at the Westport Country Playhouse Lucille Lortel Barn.
“Valentines and galentines all” are invited to the February 14 (7 p.m.). “Karma Kabaret.” Chris Coogan plays piano, John Mobilio is on bass, at this :thought-provoking, heart-evoking musical tour de force.”
It’s followed by a “bubbly and chocolate” after-party.
Tickets are $30. Click here to purchase.
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Our “Westport … Naturally” winter wonderland series continues today, with this spectacular capture by the great Alison Wachstein:
(Photo/Alison Wachstein)
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And finally … we welcome DanceBody to Westport (story above) with this similar-sounding song:
(Arts, entertainment, politics, sports: today’s Roundup has it all. It’s what we do at “06880” — and we do it 24/7/365. If you like it, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Congratulations, Dan! Well deserved!
Wonderful write up Dan, so glad you shared with us. Congratulations!!
Bravo Dan! So glad to see you get this well-deserved recognition!
Wow! How cool is that! And such a well-deserved honor, congrats!
Congratulations Dan ‼️
Congratulations Dan! Well done!
That’s great, Dan!
Congratulations, Dan! I had no idea about the books and the coaching: I’m glad you finally “came out” to us with all these achievements!
Congratulations Dan !’
Congratulations, Dan; thrilled to see this well-deserved honor!
I also love the protest poster… “I’ll have a glass of Freedom with no ICE”. So clever and spot-on!
Congratulations Dan. I truly have no idea how you have time to do all that you do. You know everyone, go everywhere for a story, and still have time to highlight Westport to the world every day. This news should encourage everyone who reads the blog daily to make a donation so you can keep doing what you do for Westport every day.
Ditto John👍🇺🇸
Ditto John and Tom!
Congrats, Dan, on the wonderful acknowledgment!
Congratulations!!! Wonderful honor and very timely with the terrible attacks on trans athletes showing that the battle against bigotry hasn’t been won. Thanks for all you do.
Congratulations.
Good to see the extent of your achievements.
;
Congratulations Dan!
Fabric of the community. Well done Dan.
Delighted to see you getting this recognition!
You’re the best ‼️🇺🇸
Wow Dan. What a truly wonderful honor. You are a truly special person.
Congrats Dan, well deserved, you are a champion for the community
Congratulations Dan! I love hearing this news. You do so much for the town and the country.
You deserve all the recognition possible! Thanks for sharing. Bravo!!!
You are an absolute all star!! We are so proud to know you and love you!! This is a well deserved honor!! So glad you shared. We celebrate you today and everyday.
Wya to go Dan!!!!!
Congrats Dan. What a big honor! We definitely want to go to share in your day!
Congrats Dan!
This is great stuff Dan. You are really the best. Thanks a million.
Thanks for sharing, Dan! Didn’t know you back then, but so very glad we got to connect. Big Congrats!!
Congrats, Dan – and yay for their good work recognizing yours!
How wonderful! Congratulations, Dan, and may you have many more years of doing wonderful things.
Dan, Will you be giving your award/ trophy to Donald Trump?
Congratulations, Dan! So well deserved! You do so much for so many. Thank you!
Awesome Dan, congratulations from us both! I am glad you posted it, so we can all share your accomplishments! Well deserved.
Congratulations, Dan.
Thank you for always keeping me up on Westport.
Congratulations Dan, well deserved recognition for an inspirational life well lived !
Dan Woog… where the world meets Westport!
Congratulations on this very significant, impressive and well deserved recognition.
Congratulations, Dan!
Congratulations, Dan! A well-earned honor.
Dan, Westport is so lucky to have you! You’re not only a brilliant writer but you have a big heart.
Congratulations Dan! For those of us who know you, you’ve always been a Hall of Famer. Now everyone one else knows. Tremendous honor and well deserved.
Congratulations Dan!!!! Wow, what an incredible accomplishment. We are so lucky to have you as part of this community- Thank you so much. (Can’t wait for the reporting from the dinner in June – how cool!)
Congratulations Dan. Well deserved and earned. Steve
Well deserved Dan. Congratulations!
Hearty congratulations! Thank you to whomever urged you to share the news so that you receive all the kudos you deserve for this honor and the service you provide to Westport and its community. I know that Jim would be so pleased for you.
Congratulations Dan! Truly well deserved!
Congratulation Dan! ReMarkable achievements at a time when it was difficult to achieve such things. Being in the arts, I was a fervent and continued ally.
congratulations that’s so fantastic and well deserved.
Dan,
Most heartfelt congratulations on your steadfast commitment to living an authentic life! We are presently visiting Vietnam and are seeing, firsthand, what life looks like in a place where freedom of speech and the ability to openly love who you love is not a given. We, of the LGBTQ community, so appreciate your life-long dedication to advocacy; you inspire us to continue the fight for equality for ALL.
Congratulations, Dan, and very well deserved. And quite impressive company you are joining.
We always knew you were ‘hall of fame’ quality! Congratulations!
Well done Mr. Woog! 👏🏻👏🏻
Congratulations, Dan. thank you for sharing this wonderful news so we could applaud the things you have accomplished!
Congratulations Dan! Awesome recognition. Thank you for being a trail blazer!
Congratulations Dan!
Congratulations Dan!
Well deserved and finally some credit and reward for all that you do because you simply…LOVE WESTPORT!! 🇺🇸
Congratulations, Dan! A lovely honor for your advocacy and leadership.
Congratulations, Dan. I appreciate all that you do to keep us informed.
Congrats Dan! Had no clue, and so glad you were pushed to let us
in on it. Thanks.
Adding my voices to the masses. Congratulations, Dan! Well done!
Congratulations Dan! Must have been a slam dunk for the selection committee!
Thank you Dan for your courage and a huge congratulations for this prestigious award. How lucky the NATIONAL Gay community is to have you, particularly our local youth. Many years I ago I happened to buy “The Westport News ” and read your ” coming out ” to the community article. As an educator and a member of the community , it felt very special. Since Valentines Day is around the corner , perhaps you might consider sharing it again ?
Congratulations, Dan! Well deserved! Bravo!!
Big Bravo to you Dan – and I loved learning so much about you that I never knew – just makes you all the more amazing! We are all truly lucky to have you as such an important and essential part of the community!
Congrats Dan! Trailblazer, writer, soccer advocate… the list goes on. So well deserved.