Gay college athlete Dillon Bacchetta reveals how soccer helped him find acceptance
Gay college athlete Dillon Bacchetta shared how switching from cheerleading to soccer helped him build confidence and find acceptance among his teammates.
A gay college athlete who moved from competitive cheerleading into soccer has shared how joining a team helped him overcome fears about acceptance and find a sense of belonging among his teammates.
Dillon Bacchetta’s story, reported by LGBTQ+ sports publication Outsports in October 2026, centres on his experience at Atlantic Cape Community College in New Jersey. With no cheerleading team available at the college, he decided to try soccer, despite having no previous experience playing the sport.
The decision meant stepping into an unfamiliar environment. Bacchetta had experienced bullying growing up because of his size, the way he spoke and his involvement in cheerleading, leaving him anxious about how a team of predominantly straight men might react to him being gay.
He began practising soccer skills on his own before trying out, determined to give himself a chance despite his lack of experience. He eventually made the team and started learning the game alongside players who had been involved in soccer for much longer.
His first season was not without setbacks. In one early match, his team suffered a heavy 33–0 defeat, but Bacchetta focused on supporting his teammates rather than allowing the result to discourage him. Drawing on the teamwork he had learnt through cheerleading, he encouraged others to keep going and concentrate on improving.
As the season progressed, he developed his skills and earned a starting place, eventually receiving the team’s Most Improved Player award. More importantly, he found an environment where he could be himself without constantly worrying about whether his sexuality would affect his relationships with other players.
Bacchetta described the friendships he built as a major part of the experience, including helping teammates with English and CVs while they helped him develop as a soccer player.
His account offers a personal perspective on LGBTQ+ inclusion in college sport. For athletes who have faced bullying or fear rejection, acceptance from teammates can make the difference between feeling like an outsider and becoming part of a team.
Bacchetta later transferred to Rider University, hoping to return to cheerleading. His journey shows how trying a different sport can open unexpected doors, both athletically and personally.
