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The Minnesota Lynx hosted their 1st Annual Slam Bash event at International Market Square February 5th, marking their 10th anniversary as a team in the WNBA and National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Slam Bash was all about celebrating the legacy and accomplishments of the men and women who have made exceptional strides in sports, community, business and life, and to promote awareness for the Minnesota Lynx
It’s important to note without Title IX, the WNBA would not exist and there would not be a 10th Anniversary Slam Bash to celebrate days like the National Girls and Women in Sports Day and their accomplishments. The anniversary is just the beginning for young women who have big dreams of becoming successful pro basketball players for the WNBA. The Minnesota Lynx are celebrating the WNBA franchise to reach that milestone.
I arrived to the event a little early so I could relax and have a little time to check out everything before it got crazy. The main dinning room was decorated beautifully. Then I went to the entrance area to help direct the guests to the coat check and the registering table. Minnage photographer Brent Fuqua was also taking pictures of the guests as they walked in. I mingled with a few people that I knew and chatted with a few more who I had just met.
It was 45 minutes later that I thought it was time to go interview the Lynx players. Fortunately I was able to interview Lynx point guard Lindsey Harding (#10), the top overall pick in the 2007 WNBA Draft and a graduate of Duke University with a degree of sociology. Here is our Q&A:
JE: Tonight’s event is all about promoting the Minnesota Lynx and recognizing men and women who made this happen. How would you encourage all women to support the WNBA?
LH: We need to tell them that not only men can be good at basketball. We can prove to everyone that women can be strong, athletic and become great role models as well. We need to rise and stand up for Title IX. It is important for young girls to know that you can dream, but making it come true is whole different story.
JE: Which member of the Minnesota Lynx do you look up to and why?
LH: Definitely Tamika Raymond because she is one of the best players. She’s also older then me and she points out my weaknesses. She is a great mentor.
JE: Did you always have big dreams on becoming a part of the WNBA?
LH: Track was my life, I enjoy running. I was 12 years old when I started playing basketball. I didn’t even like basketball and I wasn’t good at it. I went to the very first game when Houston Comets played in my hometown. I watched how they played and I said to my father that this is what I want to do. Fortunately, when I turned 13 they announced the WNBA. My father told me education comes first. You go to school, get good grades and you can play basketball. So here I am.
JE: No doubt that track definitely prepared you for basketball. Who did you look up to when you were a child as far as role models?
LH: My parents and mostly women with sports figure, people who made a difference in anyone’s life.
After the interview, Harding and I shook hands and I thanked her for her time. It was such a pleasure meeting the next big shining star for the Minnesota Lynx. I was getting hungry, and as I was walking back to my table I heard an announcement for all the guests to return to their table for dinner. What was on the menu? The guests had a choice between chicken and steak, chicken and salmon, or chicken and chicken with lightly steamed green bean and red and yellow peppers. For dessert: chocolate mousse sundae.
After dinner the program started with a poetry performance by Frank Sentwali. It was an amazing father/daughter poem. His strong and encouraging voice pointed to all young women who can achieve their dreams and have their father by their side to mentor them. Angela Taylor, vice president of Minnesota Lynx business of operations, welcomed the guests with a wonderful speech. A lot of big names were at the gala, including Nancy Lieberman (analyst for ESPN), Cheryl Miller (analyst for TNT), Donna Orender (WNBA president) and Anne Donovan (head coach of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team). Every one of these women had achieved many goals and accomplished many dreams, from winning gold and silver medals to being named among FoxSports.com’s "10 most powerful women in sports."
KARE 11 chief meteorologist Belinda Jensen served as an emcee for the event. She also announced the award winners: Kathleen C. Ridder (Lynx Lifetime Achievement Award), Bob Erdman (Lynx “Dads And Daughter” Award), Karen J. Frederickson (Lynx Global Assist Award), Becky Roloff (Lynx Community Assist Award) and Katie Smith (Lynx Legacy Award). It was then time for panel discussion, which included all the powerful women I had mentioned earlier as well as Harding and University of Minnesota women's basketball head coach Pam Borton. Moderating this session was Lea B. Olsen, sideline reporter for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The discussion was about the WNBA and awareness of women’s basketball.
The Minnesota Lynx also welcomed Katie Smith back to the team. It is going to be an exciting season for the Lynx. I think the team will do really well this year considering we just lost Kristen Mann to the Atlanta Dream.
I asked Katie Smith how she felt about winning the Legacy Award.
“It’s awesome! I can’t wait to play for the Lynx again," she said, full of spirit and high energy. "It’s great to be back! I can’t wait for the season to start again!”
The event went very well. I managed to get some autographs of all the famous women in sports that were at the event and I learned a lot from listening to the WNBA discussion. It is very important that we support the WNBA. One day your daughter or niece might want to become a basketball player and you are going to be asking everyone for support. Make a difference. Support the Lynx and buy tickets now!
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