February 1, 2020 at 4:26 a.m.
Show dedication to women’s sports
Take it to the Bank
Sunday was awful.
Confusion, tears and angst overwhelmed me after I heard Kobe Bryant died, a feeling I’m sure many of you shared.
As detailed in the well-written Margaret Sullivan column we printed Wednesday, unverified reports and misinformation printed by various media outlets, some of them prestigious and trusted, was a multiplier to the pain.
Once it was confirmed Kobe’s daughter Gigi was on the helicopter that crashed leaving nine dead, I had no idea what to do. I sat on my couch for what seemed like hours, continually updating my Twitter feed, looking for something, anything to prove it wasn’t real.
But it was. And after I came to terms with that reality, the only thing that made sense was to watch basketball. Coming as a relief to me, Oregon and Oregon State — a rivalry so good it’s called The Civil War — were playing.
Though it was relegated to ESPN News because of the Pro Bowl and breaking news, it was a relief to see two high caliber teams, both of who recently lost to my Arizona State Sun Devils (forks up), face off in one of the country’s best rivalries.
I knew superstar Oregon point guard and future No. 1 draft pick Sabrina Ionescu had ties to Kobe, as many of the game’s best players, male and female, do, but I didn’t know the extent. After learning more about their relationship, how they were close friends and trained together, I had no idea how she was playing in this game.
Here I was, unable to leave my couch, and Ionescu was helping lead her team to its first victory on the Beaver’s home court since 2010, hours after her friend, mentor and idol died as well as his daughter, who looked up to her and wanted to replicate her game when she would have played basketball in college.
But that’s just an example of the unmatched spirit and drive that are demonstrated by women athletes every day. They’re unbelievably talented role models that are damn fun to watch do what they do best across all sports at every level.
Kobe recognized it. And after his retirement he became one of the world’s most influential ambassadors for women’s basketball, sitting courtside with his daughters for many of the game’s top matchups.
Some, fairly so, thought this was a campaign to help his public persona after being accused of rape in 2003.
I, like many, are conflicted with how to view Kobe. Though it’s now impossible for him to publicly denounce what he allegedly did or comment on it at all, he had years to do so before his tragic death and never did. It can never be erased from his history. But his dedication to women’s sports was undeniable and I believe genuine.
If you feel the need to honor Kobe, the most impactful way to do so is by continuing his dedication to women’s sports. But you don’t have to sit courtside at a Notre Dame basketball game or follow Ball State to the Mid-American Conference tournament next month, you can support the high caliber play taking place at Jay County and Fort Recovery schools right now.
Both schools have girls performing at a very high level on their basketball and swim teams, and their postseasons are quickly approaching. Your support could help them win their sectional, sure, but more importantly it will let them know that their efforts aren’t going unnoticed.
These girls will grow up to be leaders and role models, and some of them will even play at the collegiate level. While it might seem small, you really can’t overestimate how much your support would mean to them. At the very least, you’ll be entertained by some of the area’s best athletes.
If you can’t make it out to see them, the least you can do is respect their game.
If you idolize Kobe but think women’s sports are inferior or don’t have anything to offer, you’re:
1) Wrong
2) Missing out on some of the world’s best athletes and competitions
3) Disrespecting the sports he spent a good chunk of his all-too-short life championing
Kobe was an international superstar, one of the greatest basketball players of all time and, yes, a man who made irremediable mistakes.
But on his final day, he was simply a father traveling to watch his daughter play basketball.
In that, we can all follow his example. Go to the gym to watch your daughter, granddaughter, niece, neighbor or friend compete.
She will appreciate it.
Confusion, tears and angst overwhelmed me after I heard Kobe Bryant died, a feeling I’m sure many of you shared.
As detailed in the well-written Margaret Sullivan column we printed Wednesday, unverified reports and misinformation printed by various media outlets, some of them prestigious and trusted, was a multiplier to the pain.
Once it was confirmed Kobe’s daughter Gigi was on the helicopter that crashed leaving nine dead, I had no idea what to do. I sat on my couch for what seemed like hours, continually updating my Twitter feed, looking for something, anything to prove it wasn’t real.
But it was. And after I came to terms with that reality, the only thing that made sense was to watch basketball. Coming as a relief to me, Oregon and Oregon State — a rivalry so good it’s called The Civil War — were playing.
Though it was relegated to ESPN News because of the Pro Bowl and breaking news, it was a relief to see two high caliber teams, both of who recently lost to my Arizona State Sun Devils (forks up), face off in one of the country’s best rivalries.
I knew superstar Oregon point guard and future No. 1 draft pick Sabrina Ionescu had ties to Kobe, as many of the game’s best players, male and female, do, but I didn’t know the extent. After learning more about their relationship, how they were close friends and trained together, I had no idea how she was playing in this game.
Here I was, unable to leave my couch, and Ionescu was helping lead her team to its first victory on the Beaver’s home court since 2010, hours after her friend, mentor and idol died as well as his daughter, who looked up to her and wanted to replicate her game when she would have played basketball in college.
But that’s just an example of the unmatched spirit and drive that are demonstrated by women athletes every day. They’re unbelievably talented role models that are damn fun to watch do what they do best across all sports at every level.
Kobe recognized it. And after his retirement he became one of the world’s most influential ambassadors for women’s basketball, sitting courtside with his daughters for many of the game’s top matchups.
Some, fairly so, thought this was a campaign to help his public persona after being accused of rape in 2003.
I, like many, are conflicted with how to view Kobe. Though it’s now impossible for him to publicly denounce what he allegedly did or comment on it at all, he had years to do so before his tragic death and never did. It can never be erased from his history. But his dedication to women’s sports was undeniable and I believe genuine.
If you feel the need to honor Kobe, the most impactful way to do so is by continuing his dedication to women’s sports. But you don’t have to sit courtside at a Notre Dame basketball game or follow Ball State to the Mid-American Conference tournament next month, you can support the high caliber play taking place at Jay County and Fort Recovery schools right now.
Both schools have girls performing at a very high level on their basketball and swim teams, and their postseasons are quickly approaching. Your support could help them win their sectional, sure, but more importantly it will let them know that their efforts aren’t going unnoticed.
These girls will grow up to be leaders and role models, and some of them will even play at the collegiate level. While it might seem small, you really can’t overestimate how much your support would mean to them. At the very least, you’ll be entertained by some of the area’s best athletes.
If you can’t make it out to see them, the least you can do is respect their game.
If you idolize Kobe but think women’s sports are inferior or don’t have anything to offer, you’re:
1) Wrong
2) Missing out on some of the world’s best athletes and competitions
3) Disrespecting the sports he spent a good chunk of his all-too-short life championing
Kobe was an international superstar, one of the greatest basketball players of all time and, yes, a man who made irremediable mistakes.
But on his final day, he was simply a father traveling to watch his daughter play basketball.
In that, we can all follow his example. Go to the gym to watch your daughter, granddaughter, niece, neighbor or friend compete.
She will appreciate it.
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