UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The atmosphere in the Bryce Jordan Center was buoyant on Sunday for National Girls and Women in Sports Day. At the Lady Lions' game against Iowa there were 54 young ladies that were brought in to get a sneak peak on what goes on to make a Lady Lion basketball game run smoothly during the "Lady Lion Staff for a Day" promotion.
There were young girls who worked with the pep band, spirit squad, behind the scorer's table, in the broadcast booth and on the sidelines acting as honorary managers. Basically, the young women could be found everywhere other than in the Penn State uniform.
Community Outreach Coordinator for the program, Miriam Powell, explained why they wanted to extend this opportunity to the young ladies of the community.
"We tried to place [the girls] in areas where they will get a true behind the scenes experience on all that goes into putting on a Lady Lions basketball game," she said.
Powell also added that all of the young ladies were there doing something they enjoyed.
"We had a list and description of all the different job opportunities. [The girls] just had to indicate what looked the most fun and interesting and then gave us their top three," she said. "We were successful in giving the girls one of their top three choices."
Head coach Coquese Washington also thought it was great experience to be a part of.
"I thought it was really cool to see all the young girls that got to experience the behind the scenes aspect of basketball."
Washington also hopes that this experience was not only fun, but impactful as well.
"I think they've been inspired," she said. "They get a chance to see that they can have a career in sports outside of being on the field of competition."
Even though this was such a great experience for the young girls, the Lady Lions players see this as an opportunity for themselves as well. Powell noted how the team responds to these chances to impact the community.
"I love how I get to see the players personalities in a different light through our community service," she said. "The way that some of them truly light up and show love in everything we do when it comes to community service is empowering."
Senior guard Amari Carter may have said it best in her Senior Day tribute video when she said the basketball has been important, but it's really about how you impact lives while you're at Penn State.
Although Penn State didn't get the outcome it wanted in the winner's column Washington is hopeful that the Lady Lions' effort and the experience during the day of recognition can leave a lasting impact on those in attendance.
"Hopefully, [the young girls] had an amazing experience, igniting a passion for continuing to grow women's sports when they get older," she said.
Allowing that experience and growing that passion is what National Girls and Women in Sports Day is all about.
The Lady Lions will hit the road and head out to Columbus, Ohio in a matchup with Ohio State on Wednesday before they return home to the Bryce Jordan Center on Sunday for a clash with Michigan at 2 p.m.
