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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Catchings deserves send off like Manning, Miller

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I bet my son Christopher is a more enthusiastic Indiana Fever fan than you are – and he’s 3. He’s already started asking me, “Mommy, are we going to the ball game on Saturday?” He remembers the days he didn’t go to school we were usually at Bankers Life Fieldhouse cheering on the Fever.

If you ask him who his favorite player is, he’ll quickly tell you, “Tamika!” as in Catchings.

Catchings has been the face of the franchise for nine seasons. She was Rookie of the Year in 2002, she has won four WNBA Defensive Player of the Year awards, voted to the All-Star game seven times (and the leading vote-getter in 2006, 2009 and 2011) and last year was named the league’s Most Valuable Player and one of the top 15 players in league history. In 2009, she led the Fever to the WNBA Finals.

Her Catch the Stars Foundation mentors youth, providing them with outlets to stay out of trouble. During the holiday season, she hosts basketball clinics sometimes only charging two canned goods to be donated to Gleaners Food Bank. She established the Catch the Stars Reading Corner at Christel House Academy that provided books, new carpet and furniture to encourage kids to read.

Yet, when Catchings retires or if she decides to leave for another team, the announcement won’t be broadcasted on local and cable channels. It won’t be “breaking news” like we saw two weeks ago when Peyton Manning left the Indianapolis Colts.

Her last game inside Bankers Life won’t be attended by every famous sports writer like Reggie Miller’s was in 2005; many who were there just to witness the atmosphere.

But, Catchings deserves all of the above. What she has done for the Indiana Fever is on the same level as what Miller did for the Pacers. The many ways she has contributed to the community is not much different than Manning. I’m sure if she had the money and resources, she could have a children’s hospital named after her as well. Catchings is just as important to Indiana sports as Manning and Miller, but she doesn’t get the same love or attention.

I’m sure most of you reading this know who Catchings is; you might even know what she looks like. But, have you ever seen her play? Have you attended at least one Fever game? If not, you’re missing out on one of the top five players to ever play the game.

Christopher, however, is not. This summer will mark his fourth Fever season (including the summer he was in the womb) and he’s excited now. When we pull up to the arena I usually have to remind him to stay seated and not unbuckle his seatbelt. To see your kids that excited is the coolest, cutest thing ever.

When Catchings does decide to hang up her sneakers, I know the Fever and the WNBA will make sure she receives the proper send off. I know they understand her worth. I only wish all of Indiana did too.

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