People

Meet the Board of Directors for GAAY Sports. They help shape the organization and ensure its longevity for years to come. From making decisions to special events, approving major expenses, and helping volunteer at events, they play an integral role in the current and future success of GAAY Sports.

Nicholas Wendling is the President of the Board and the Executive Director of the day-to-day operations of GAAY Sports. He attended MSU for his undergraduate degree, and upon graduation in 2002, he somehow always ended up back in the Lansing area despite several attempts to move away.

In 2015, he moved to Orlando, FL, for a promotion. In 2016, he narrowly missed being in the Pulse Nightclub during the shooting. Having left approximately 30 minutes before, he fell into a dark period in what his therapist calls survivor's guilt. This led to several years of drug and alcohol abuse.

In 2018, he discovered what was then the Varsity Gay League (now Out Loud Sports) in Orlando, FL. After spending years feeling like he never fit in anywhere he went, he had finally found his tribe of people. He attributes the kickball there for saving his life. It motivated him to seek recovery from his drug addiction.

He said that if he ever came back to Michigan, he would start something like that here so that people looking for a way to meet members of the LGBTQIA+ community had an avenue not centered around alcohol and/or drugs. After moving back to Michigan during the COVID pandemic, he did just that in 2022 when he started GAAY Sports.

FAVORITE GAAY SPORT: Axe Throwing

FAVORITE ATHLETE: Tom Daly

FAVORITE MUSICIAN: Morgan Wallen

FAVORITE HOLIDAY: Thanksgiving

"This started because I wanted to see if any hot single men would join so that I could meet someone who played sports. Little did I know that people were starving for something fun and social to do coming out of the pandemic. It quickly grew into a statewide social movement, and nearly every day I am humbled and overwhelmed with joy at the things people say to me about how much this means to them."

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