School and Camp Day Games with the Washington Mystics: Empowering Children
The Washington Mystics, a WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) team, recently held its third annual school day game. This event, along with the Camp Day in July, provides children in the D.C. metropolitan area an opportunity to watch women play basketball at the professional level. I recently spoke to Jacky Howell, a Mystic season ticket holder since 1998, recent appointee to the team’s Advisory Board, and an early childhood educator for over 35 years, about her participation in the School Day Game and how children benefit in life by having inspirational role models.
You sent over 200 children to the recent School Day game through your donation program. How did you get started bringing children to Mystic games?
Because I played basketball and love the sport, especially played by women, I wanted to be able to provide my preschool classes an opportunity to attend Mystic games. Since the team’s inaugural season in 1998, I have taken groups of preschool age children to see games. First, it was my own classroom when I was a teacher, and then I started inviting colleague’s classrooms. When I left the classroom, I began consulting in day care centers throughout the D.C. metropolitan area and have now created my own donation program to send children and families to the School and Camp day games.
How has the Mystic’s organization supported your efforts?
Initially, I began by working with my ticket representative to find ways to bring as many children, teachers, and families to games either at a reduced cost or for free. I then asked friends for donations to send these children to either School or Camp Day games and I also purchased season tickets so some children and families could attend every Mystic game. As I continued to work with the Mystics organization and joined its MVP group three years ago, the front office began to supplement my efforts by providing additional tickets, and they continue to do so today. In the past six years, over 6,000 children, families, and teachers were able to attend Mystic games free due to these collaborative efforts.
And, how does the donation program work?
I collect checks made out to the Washington Mystics as a tax deductible donation and I then distribute the tickets to the schools where I work as well as some other preschools and school age programs in the area. The focus of my donation efforts is on programs for homeless and underserved children primarily in the D.C. area. And, I provide the schools with a curriculum I wrote so the children can study the WNBA and women’s basketball before attending the game.
Why do you provide young children with an opportunity to watch professional women’s basketball?
As an early childhood educator, I understand the importance of early education and the impact it can make on children’s thinking and on their lives. I wanted them not only to experience the sport of women’s basketball but wanted them to know the players as role models— strong, competent, athletic women, and women who give back to the community through their own foundations and the work through WNBA cares. For example, Alana Beard, one of the team’s starting players, came and read to two of my two schools as part of the reading and literacy program in which the Mystics are involved.
So, sending children to a Mystic’s game is more than just providing them with kid friendly entertainment?
Yes! Before the WNBA league was in existence, which by the way is celebrating its 15th season, there was a Nike commercial titled, “If You Let Me Play Sports.” This ad featured girls citing statistics associated with female participation in sports including having more self esteem and better health. Also, the Women’s Sports Foundation has conducted studies showing that girls who participate in sports benefit in many ways. I’ve seen this happen even with the young girls with whom I work. For example, a little girl, Keisha, in one of the preschool classrooms was overweight. She began coming to games through the donation program. The next year, she went to the Mystics Mayhem dance team day to participate and joined a basketball recreation team. Her mother will tell you that her experiences of going to games and talking to players contributed to her daughter’s belief that she too can be strong and capable.
What did you do for Camp Day?
I was able to gather donations to support my program to bring nearly 200 children from preschools that did not come to School Day. As a backdrop, all of the 13 WNBA teams hold a Camp Day during regular season play with the game played at 11:30 a.m. rather than in the evening, enabling kids to attend. The Mystics held its Camp Game on Wednesday, July 20th when the team played at home against the Atlanta Dream. While the WNBA Camp Day activities targets middle school age children, I focus on bringing three to five year olds to the game. There are not many opportunities for this age group to see women playing sports, and the experience of attending the games is educational on many levels. For example, I had one little boy, Carlos, that vehemently insisted women did not play basketball, and after attending the Camp Day game I asked him, “So what do you think now?” He looked at me, jumping up and down in his seat and said, “These ladies play basketball…and I love it.”
The Washington Mystics tipped off their 14th season on June 4th. For more information about the Mystic’s 2011 schedule and their Camp Day visit the Mystics website. Email Jacky Howell If you are interested in learning more about her donation program.