Third annual SupportHER game on Feb. 1 celebrates women’s sports and community

By Amelia Heymann

The third annual SupportHER game for the Virginia Commonwealth University women's basketball team will have lots of local impact this year: The Rams face hometown rival the Richmond Spiders on Feb. 1 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center, and a number of local organizations are benefiting from a game, presented by Synergy Technical, that shines the spotlight on women's sports.

In their first two years, the SupportHER games have shattered home attendance records for the women's team - and created an environment that head coach Beth O'Boyle said energizes her squad as well as the spectators.

SupportHER game

"I think it's just amazing for our players to walk out and see so many fans and feel that excitement, that energy that comes from it. It provides such an incredible experience for our players," she said. "We've played some really great venues and really great places, but for them, playing in the Stu in front of all those fans, just celebrating women, it means a ton to me that that they get to actually feel that."

Mary-Anna Asare, a senior guard for the Rams who played in the first two SupportHER games, said it is inspiring to do something special at VCU for the community of Richmond.

"I think it meant a lot to see all the little girls coming to watch us and it was a powerful moment," she said.

While Asare will be sidelined this year by injury, she said being on the bench will allow her to fully soak in the atmosphere and notice moments she missed before amid her on-court focus.

"And that's what I'm most excited for - seeing [the game] in a whole new light," she said.

O'Boyle noted how the SupportHER game brings out the best of VCU and the greater Richmond community, with all ages - from Girl Scouts to VCU alums - united in their support.

"It's been amazing for our players to be a part of it," she said - and for them to reciprocate. "I think VCU gets an incredible amount of support from the city of Richmond, and it's always our department and our philosophy to give back."

VCU Athletics has partnered with several organizations to put on ticket sale fundraisers. Organizations benefiting from this year's game include:

• YMCA of Richmond.
• Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, a continuation of the team's seasonlong fundraiser.
• Richmond SPCA. The first 3,000 fans at the game will receive this free T-shirt. (VCU Athletics)
• Lois Harrison-Jones Elementary School PTA.
• Robious Middle School PTSA.

Asare credits the ticket fundraising as one reason why the SupportHER games, and their record-setting attendance, are so successful.

"I don't think I would have been able to experience [playing for such a big crowd] if it wasn't for people fundraising and donating to get people to come to that game," she said. "It really meant a lot, and it's definitely an experience that I will forever cherish."