They say there’s no time like the present to address one’s most pressing needs. That’s clearly the philosophy of Alec Donovan, who decided he’d had enough of a closeted life while on a collegiate recruiting visit.
Donovan, the Brick Memorial New Jersey open class state champion at 145 pounds, was asked directly about his sexuality when questioned by another recruit on a visit to Limestone College in South Carolina. Here’s how it all went down, according to Out Sports.
“Rumor is you’re bisexual,” the other recruit said to him. “Is it true?”
“The rumor isn’t true,” Donovan told the other recruit. “I’m not bisexual… I’m gay.”
In the latest touching sign of the maturity and acceptance of teens today, Donovan was met with no aspersions or even disappointment or surprise in his lifestyle choice. When the other recruit told the Limestone wrestlers — with Donovan’s blessing — they universally said they had no problem with his personal choices.
Whether this acceptance leads Donovan to Limestone remains to be seen. In the meantime, his journey from a suicidal, struggling freshman to a 39-1 state state champion senior serves to inspire other currently closeted teen athletes.
“I’ve done a lot of great things ever since I was suicidal,” Donovan told Out Sports. “But yeah, helping other people makes me most proud.”