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Bryant’s Chris Burns becomes first openly gay coach in DI men’s hoops
Posted On Oct 08 2015
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Bryant assistant coach Chris Burns recently penned a column for Outsports.com in which he publicly came forward as a gay man. He is now the only openly-gay coach in Division I men’s basketball.
Burns told USA Today Sports about his double life that began in high school and college as he tried to maintain a heterosexual image for his basketball teammates and friends.
Equally as important for me, though, is returning the focus to what I love – coaching basketball.
The coach, Chris Burns, said this summer’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court legalizing same-sex marriage in all 50 states made him decide to make his sexual orientation public.
To see that support group of people, who have all been working for so many years in sports, was incredibly powerful and inspiring.
According to Burns, the reaction to his announcement has been better than he anticipated.
There is no greater feeling than being a part of something bigger than just you.
He’s in his third year as an assistant under Tim O’Shea. That’s what has always made sports so special for me.
Though it might sound stereotypical, perhaps being gay has allowed Chris Burns to be a much quieter but effective coach, noted quite a few basketball players at Bryant University, including senior point guard Shane McLaughlin.
USA TODAY also published a lengthy, behind-the-scenes look at Burns and his decision to come out titled “A coach comes out of the closet”. “Or being able to be myself?” One person, in particular, who reached out to him is Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.
“My message to him is, first off, congratulations, I’m very proud of you”, said Krzyzewski. Next, please know that you’ll be accepted by your brothers in the sport of men’s basketball. I’ve realized that people, for the most part, are human beings first.
After finally building up the courage to tell people about his sexuality, Burns says people have been very welcoming, realizing that his “fears are far worse than reality”.
