The University of Alberta has partnered with You Can Play in supporting sexual and gender minority equality in its sporting communities, both on and off campus. Founded in 1908 and Based in Edmonton, the promise of the University of Alberta is “to uplift the whole people.” To live out this philosophy each and every day on its campuses, the university strives to celebrate the inherent gifts and talents that each of its students, staff, and faculty bring with them to their studies, work, and research.
With this You Can Play video, the University of Alberta is making a pledge to continue its work to ensure that every student, staff member, athlete, and community member feels they can live up to their full potential, regardless of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The message is simple, if “You Can Play, You Can Play” – however, the responsibility to create this kind of inclusive and welcoming environment rests with all members of the university community. With this video, the school celebrates all that it has accomplished as a community and reaffirms its commitment to the important work that still lies ahead.
A special thanks to Ian Read and University Athletics, super volunteer Colleen Pirie, and the more than 300+ athletes, coaches, and alumni who participated in making this video. There was a call put out and everyone answered to participate with both heart and enthusiasm. We would also like to thank University Chancellor Ralph Young; Board of Governors Chair Doug Goss; Debra Pozega Osburn (Vice-President, University Relations), our past Provost Carl Amrhein; Student’s Union President William Lau; Dean Kerry Mummery (Phys Ed); Dean Fern Snart (Education); Mayor Don Iveson; and the Rt. Honourable Kim Campbell, our 19th Prime Minister of Canada for their unwavering support. And a big thank you to Edmonton Oilers’ Captain Andrew Ference, Goaltender Ben Scrivens, and Edmonton Eskimos’ Quarterback Mike Reilly and Kicker Grant Shaw for being such amazing You Can Play and university champions.
This video represents one powerful story of an amazing family of university and community supporters who share a common vision to use sports to help lead social change.