Night of Champions 2026
Each year, Team DC’s Night of Champions gala brings together athletes, coaches,
volunteers, fans, and community partners from across the DC LGBTQ+ sports community to recognize
outstanding impact on and off the field.
At Night of Champions 2026, we will once again celebrate the leaders who keep our leagues strong,
honor the work of educators and community advocates, and welcome a new class of LGBTQ+ student-athlete
scholarship recipients.
Reserve your seat for an unforgettable evening celebrating our LGBTQ+ sports community.
About Night of Champions
Night of Champions is Team DC’s annual awards gala that:
- Honors individuals, teams, and organizations that demonstrate exceptional leadership and advocacy for LGBTQ+ athletes;
- Celebrates the impact of our member clubs, leagues, and community partners across the metropolitan Washington, DC region;
- Introduces our newest Team DC Student-Athlete Scholars and supports the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders in sports.
Whether you are a player, coach, official, volunteer, sponsor, or supporter, Night of Champions is our
opportunity to come together and recognize the people who make our community possible.
Recognizing Our 2026 Awardees
We are proud to honor these 6 outstanding individuals and organizations for their leadership and commitment to the LGBTQ+ sports community.
Bernard Jude Delia Community Leadership Award
Recognizes individuals, businesses, or groups that have supported Team DC teams and the greater LGBTQ+ community over many years. Named after activist, mentor, and leader Bernard “Bernie” Delia, the award honors a legacy of impassioned, committed work on behalf of our community.
Dr. Sara Varghai
Clark Ray Horizon Educator Award
Honors an educator, athletic director, staff member, or coach who has gone above and beyond to support LGBTQ+ high school students who compete in sports. Named after Clark Ray, this award highlights those creating safe, welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ students.
Mari Con Carne aka Manuel Montelongo
MVP Award
Recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to their sports club or tournament over the past year. Their efforts within their sport and beyond have strengthened the LGBTQ+ community of greater Washington, DC and advanced the mission of Team DC.
Sean Bartel
(Posthumously)
Trailblazer Award
Celebrates an individual who has helped establish or transform a league, team, and/or tournament, building safer and more inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ athletes. Through advocacy, organizing, and leadership, these trailblazers open doors and create new opportunities.
Adam Peck
Champion Award
Recognizes an individual who has shown exceptional dedication and support for community efforts and LGBTQ+ sports at large, fostering a spirit of inclusion and athletic excellence across the region.
Dan Martin
Platinum All Star
Recognizes outsized and long lasting support for Team DC’s work, especially for our scholarship program. This award honors those whose extraordinary contributions ensure the continued success and growth of our student-athlete initiatives.
Centaur Motorcycle Club
Scholarships & Student-Athlete Champions
In addition to our community awards, Night of Champions also highlights the recipients of the
Team DC Student-Athlete Scholarships. These scholarships support LGBTQ+ student-athletes
from the Washington, DC metropolitan area who demonstrate dedication to both academic and athletic
excellence and show promise as future leaders in our community.
To learn more about eligibility, application timelines, and past scholarship recipients, please visit our
Scholarships page on teamdc.org.
Get Involved
- Buy tickets or a table and join us at Night of Champions 2026.
- Become a gala sponsor to support future student-athletes.
- Spread the word by sharing Night of Champions information with your team, league, and networks.
Together, we build a stronger, more inclusive LGBTQ+ sports community for everyone.
Thank you for being part of Team DC—we look forward to celebrating with you at
Night of Champions 2026.