One Historic Night
I’ve seen outdoor wrestling, basketball, and volleyball events on television. But, on Sept. 17, I, like 2,000+ other fans, took in the first-ever outdoor volleyball match in Iowa on Brown Field in Manchester. It was electric, to say the very least.
There was a newfound excitement among players, school administrators, students, and fans. You felt it when you entered the stadium. You saw it with lines at the entrance of the field and packed bleachers. What was on display wasn’t just support for women’s sports, but instead was the result of what can happen when you have a vision, get others involved, and make it happen.
It was certainly a labor of love. There were countless people involved who made this night so special, which included West Delaware and Mount Vernon school administrators, volleyball parents, sponsors, local media, and the entire community. All of those efforts ensured that an empowering and thrilling night of volleyball would unfold.
And, it did.
The volleyball programs at West Delaware and Mount Vernon have always been premier programs in the State of Iowa with a rich history of success. It was no surprise the match would go to five sets, giving people a true show of just how talented and intense these two teams are. Through all of the highs and lows during the match, I hope all of the players, coaches, and team personnel know they were all winners. It might be cliché, but it’s true. Each of the programs involved in this historic night showed how incredible opportunities to compete can generate interest and support for women’s sports.
As a person who is fiercely passionate about women’s sports, I thoroughly enjoyed taking in all that the outdoor volleyball match represented. The fact this caliber of an event happened in my hometown and at my high school, it just made me even more proud to be a West Delaware Hawk. In addition to an overwhelming sense of pride, I had three things stick out to me about this night:
Kudos to all involved. This night would not have been possible with getting the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, school administrators, coaches, and players on board. You all came together to provide high school athletes with a tremendous opportunity to play a sport they love. Thank you, thank you, thank you for doing all that you did to give players, coaches, and fans a night to remember.
Women’s sports are thriving. From the WNBA to high school volleyball, there is so much excitement surrounding women’s sports. It’s encouraging to see this increased support, love, and opportunities for various sports. I truly think it’s only going to go up from here, and I cannot wait to see what happens next for women in sport.
I can do more. With the night being historic, I thought to myself - “what else can I do to support women in sports?” There is a really simple answer: support women’s sports. This may be downloading WNBA League Pass, volunteering to coach or work at a women’s sporting event, going to women’s sporting events, reaching out to see about new announcing opportunities, and much more. In order to ensure the positive momentum around women’s sports keeps going in an upward trajectory, I know I can play my part. I encourage you to do this, too! Together, we can keep women’s sports going up.
Overall, Tuesday, Sept. 17 will go down in history for so many reasons. There was volleyball being played on a football field under the lights with a full moon in sight. There were stands packed with excited fans from both West Delaware and Mount Vernon.
Best of all, there was a significant amount of support for women’s sports, and we all love to see it.
Thanks again, Mount Vernon, West Delaware, and the entire Manchester community for one historic night.