In January, I attended the NCAA Convention in San Diego, where I voted on behalf of Lewis and Clark College at the Division III business session.

I also attended one of the discussion forums -- Gender and Ethnic Diversity in Division III --where I expressed my concern that the panelists (who otherwise did a splendid job) never raised the issue of gay and lesbian visibility and acceptance with regard to student-athletes, coaches and administrators.

In my comments at the microphone, I equated the atmosphere fostered in college athletics to the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy in our military and asked the panel to respond to the issue of gay and lesbian visibility.

I have firsthand knowledge of the dire consequences associated with being in the "closet" as a student-athlete. I played basketball for Barnard College from 1979 to 1983 and was a three-year team captain, small-school second-team all-American, first-team all-Seven Sister Colleges -- and lesbian. Indeed, at least four of my team members were lesbian.

This was a very trying time for all of us. Administrators never talked about the subject; I had to undergo an embarrassing and demeaning physical exam in which I had to fake being heterosexual with the school nurse while she explained contraception to me.

In my intercollegiate experience, I believe that denial of one's essential nature led to an excess of drinking and self-deprecating behavior because we were taught that being gay was shameful by everyone's silence and denials.

We were indeed ashamed, humiliated and frightened. Is this really the type of environment we want our student-athletes experiencing?

In light of the first NCAA Association-wide vote in the new governance structure

approving a modification of Constitution 2.6, which prohibits (among other things) discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, I encourage the NCAA to create a safe environment for gay and lesbian student-athletes, coaches, and administrators.

I suggest:

Implementing discussions on the modification to Constitution 2.6 with the Divisions I, II and III Student-Athlete Advisory Committees;

Including a similar discussion at the annual NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference;

Convening a session dedicated to gay and lesbian concerns at the annual Convention;

Starting a safe social for gay and lesbian members at the annual Convention; and

Giving gay and lesbian student-athletes the opportunity to speak or share their concerns at the annual Convention.

It seems hypocritical to me to argue, as many of the panelists did in January, that student-athletes need mentors and educators who are "like them" and not discuss the fact that there are many gay and lesbian coaches, administrators and student-athletes who are forced to stay in the closet for fear of intimidation, loss of friends and loss of their jobs.

I understand that gay and lesbian visibility and acceptance in college athletics will be a difficult and arduous task. But it is an absolutely necessary one. Acceptance of gays and lesbians in sports is of utmost importance for the health and safety of our student-athletes.

Nora Beck is an associate professor of music at Lewis and Clark College and is the school's faculty athletics representative.