I stood in the Indiana Fever’s locker room last week after the team snapped a three-game losing streak against the Chicago Sky waiting to talk to Tamika Catchings. She was smiling for several reasons: one, they won the game; two, she was celebrating her 32nd birthday, and three; she was preparing to play in her eighth WNBA All-Star game as the leading vote getter for the third time.
It was great to see Catchings happy and engaging. When she saw me, she gave me a huge hug and asked about my 2-year-old son. I explained to her that I had a favor. I have a friend whose niece and nephew are having a difficult time because their parents are divorcing. They both play basketball and list Catchings as one of their favorite players. I asked if she could talk to them after a game about staying positive and doing well in school. She immediately agreed.
Catchings was honored last weekend during the All-Star game as one of the top 15 players in WNBA history in honor of the league’s 15th anniversary along with accomplished players such as Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper and Dawn Staley. I can tell you first hand that she means more to Indianapolis than just a basketball player. I’m sure the kids she mentors through her Catch the Stars Foundation will tell you the same thing.
On the court, Catchings is fearless and one of the best to ever play. Off the court, she may be soft spoken but her community outreach speaks volumes of her character. Through her foundation she hosts fitness clinics and basketball camps as well as programs such as Court Stars; a six-week program that integrates sports and life skills by teaching basketball fundamentals while also focusing on different social skills. The purpose of the program is to encourage girls ages 12-16 to participate in sports, have positive attitudes, set goals and become more active in the community.
Catchings has been a part of this community for nine years and I still don’t think people realize the impact she’s making in young lives. I think it’s great and very deserving for Catchings to be acknowledged as one of the greatest 15 players to ever play in the WNBA. But the work she’s doing through her foundation is even greater.
For more information on Tamika Catchings’ foundation, visit www.catchin24.com.
