Al Castor
Inducted: 00/00/0000
After the 1982 first Gay Games in San Francisco, the Seattle Gay News (SGN) wrote an article about the Seattle athletes win across the board. The SGN actually interviewed Al Castor the following is a portion of that interview:
Al Castor coaches and plays volleyball and softball with many straight teams in Seattle, and being gay is not an issue for him. Al is a gay athlete who sets an example for all, gay or otherwise, on how to compete. "Competition," he says, "doesn't mean stomping down the other guy, although, yes, some people use it that way. Competition means wanting to play the game; the score, although it is nice to win, is irrelevant. When you play well, and people see that you are skilled at what you do, you've won."
At the Gay Games in San Francisco, when Al Castor's Seattle volleyball team confronted an unbeatable Los Angels, Al reminded the team that they could lose, probably would, and that just being there and playing well as reward enough. But as the excitement mounted and Seattle began to show its spunk, the team decided to go for it. Al, at the point, told them "You cannot let them (SEATTLE) down, you cannot let yourselves down." In a hall-biting, roof-raising game, Seattle beat the unbeatable 15-6 and the fans went wild, swooping down on the court, yelling, crying, and bunch of great volleyball players who simply got carried away with being good jocks, got carried off the court in tribute to their victory."
Al Castor's sense of commitment to the advancement of gay and lesbian rights through organized sport has been phenomenal. Through his mentoring, many of us will carry and celebrate his legacy; Al Castor has taught many of us the importance of teamwork, cooperation, dedication and sportsmanship.
As an accomplished gay athlete or sportsperson, Al Castor envisioned that organized sport could provide remarkable opportunities for gays and lesbians to not only interact and network with each other, but also foster a shared sense of community. Today, his vision of the importance of teamwork and dedication makes Seattle Gay Athletes well respected around the nation.
Al Caster held many important positions in the sports arena such as Commissioner, Vice Commissioner, Secretary, Tournament Director, Head Coach and was the first Miss Gay Softball in Seattle.
1972 - Al Castor was the first openly gay person who competed in the Junior Olympic in volleyball and received the gold medal.
1980 - He joined the Seattle Gay Softball League.
1982 - Member of the Seattle Gay Athletes delegation to the First Gay Games in San Francisco which he received gold medal in volleyball and silver medal in softball.
1982 - Member of the Seattle delegation with efforts to seek membership in the NAGAAA, held in San Francisco and was approved anonymously. (Al Castor, Al Fernandez, Mark Marontate, Time P. Time and Gale from the women's league participated at the meeting in SF).
1983 - Member of the Ritz Café softball team representing the Seattle Gay Softball League to NAGAAA World Series held in Chicago. For the first time in their history, the SGSL participated in the NAGAAA World Services and did well. Seattle eliminated Houston who won the previous World Series of 6-0. After eliminating Houston, Seattle and the Los Angeles Blue Dots battled for the 3rd and 4th place. Unfortunately, Seattle lost 2-1 after 12-innings.
1984-1985 - Represented the Gay community in softball and volleyball tournaments nationally and locally. Al Castor had won many titles and achievements awards such as MVPs, Golden Gloves, etc.
1986 - He took the gay volleyball team that represent Seattle to the Gay Games II in San Francisco. He was the coach and a player. He received a Silver Medal and a medal of honor from the Olympic Committee for his dedication in organizing gay sports in the Seattle Metropolitan area.
1987-1990 -Al Castor continued to represent the Seattle Gay Community in sports and helped to teach elementary and high school students in officiating sports.