Bethel Park celebrates women in sports
Hawks host Ladies Night
Katie Hogue and her committee of volunteers from the Bethel Park girls basketball boosters accomplished a major feat on Tuesday night, Feb. 3 when the Lady Hawks battled Baldwin in a key section matchup.
During their inaugural celebration of National Girls & Women In Sports Day (NGWSD), the Bethettes from the school’s marching band performed at halftime of the girls game. The renowned majorettes even closed their performance with their traditional victory formation.
“A rare appearance,” noted Hogue, who traded in her basketball jersey in ninth grade to become a Bethette.
“I don’t think that they consider themselves a sport, but we consider them so important. They are the pride of Bethel Park,” Hogue continued.
“We really wanted to invite everybody and make this inclusive and we’re really excited everybody came because ultimately, I don’t think you have to play a sport to be involved in sports. I think you could be a fan, you could end up in sports medicine. There’s so many paths. So we just wanted to make sure that everybody felt included.”
According to Hogue’s count from the invitations extended, there are approximately 350 females participating in the 16 athletic endeavors offered from the middle school through high school programs in the Bethel Park School District. Basketball, softball, cheer, cross country, swimming and diving as well as track and field are sponsored at both the middle and high school level while golf, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, rifle, bocce, soccer, lacrosse and flag football are offered as scholastic varsity sports
Additionally, the objective of the NGWSD event was to support and bring awareness to how many women and girls there are participating in these activities.
“We wanted to host everybody,” Hogue said. “I mean, honestly, I felt like there was a void of getting all the girls together to support each other, to come to a basketball game and watch their friends play, and then, in turn, that would show them to go support their friends in their sport. So that was really the initiative. To get girls here supporting each other on this national day,” Hogue added.
The game against the rival Lady Highlanders was the “perfect situation” to round up supporters of female athletics. Although the Lady Hawks suffered a defeat, 53-36, at the hands of Baldwin, the crowd of nearly 900 spectators applauded the efforts of the promoters.
“”It’s been an incredible event,” said Cami Fisher, a two-time section singles tennis champion and WPIAL bronze medalist. “Obviously, women’s sports is just a gigantic deal, and I love that it’s recognized and celebrated. It’s really nice to be in the same room as all these amazing women athletes. It’s a very surreal experience.”
Bethel Park athletic director Laura Grimm added that the boosters deserve all the credit.
“They were the main organizers. They literally took this idea and grew it into what it was,” Grimm emphasized. “It was a tremendous effort on their part and an amazing event. It’s the biggest crowd I have seen here in this gym since I have been here.”
The evening’s activities kicked off with a pre-game reception that featured cookies and beverages, including a signature Shirley Temple soda and bottled water.
Upon arrival each guest – the coaches, boosters and student-athletes – received a commemorative white T-shirt with the words “Everyone Watches Lady Hawks Sports” printed on the front. Even the opposing team was decked out in similar shirts designed with the Lady Highlander name and logo.
A meet-and-greet followed with honored guests, including members of several of Duquesne University’s women’s sports teams as well as distinguished Bethel Park alumnae Laurel Heilman, Rachel Wojdowski and Missy (Shields) Dalbon, all Hall of Fame inductees.
Bethel Park travel basketball coach Ashley Smith was eager to introduce her daughter, Eva Edmonds, to Kellie McConnell, a sophomore point guard for the Lady Dukes. Smith played basketball for McConnell’s father, Mike, when she attended Carlynton High School.
“Oh this is so amazing,” Smith enthused. “I’m really proud of our organization for putting this together for the first time and getting all these women and girls in the same building, in the same room, because women’s sports are definitely taking off, and this is great for all of them to see and be a part of.”
Edmonds was thrilled to meet McConnell. She aspires to emulate her.
“Meeting Kellie was really cool. I didn’t know that my mom knew her,” Edmonds said in awe. “I love watching college basketball so this experience was great.
“I want to make it to college basketball whenever I’m older,” continued Edmonds, who is in the seventh grade. “I’m excited to get there, but I know I have to keep practicing, working hard, and never stop.”
McConnell, herself, knows that and having strong role models are the recipe for success. Her mother, Sherri, played and coached basketball at North Allegheny High School. Her dad is a college men’s basketball referee, having officiated in two Final Fours and one national championship.
“So he’s very accomplished,” McConnell said. “He’s always trying to get me to come over to the referee’s side.” Coaching, she added, is “another option” but the second-year elementary education major pointed out that her mother resigned from her position when she was in the third grade to devote more time to her children. “She put her family first,” McConnell said.
McConnell also noted that in addition to having an aunt (Suzie) that participated in the Olympics twice and another (Kathy) who is a standout collegiate coach, her cousin, Megan, has proved to be a “fabulous” female role model for her. Megan enjoyed a standout career at Duquesne University, setting multiple records before turning pro and most recently playing in Australia with the Bendigo Spirit of the Women’s National Basketball League.
“We really were close when we were young and because there is an age gap, we drifted apart when she went to high school but my first year at Duquesne we became so close and so tight again. It’s been so great to have that relationship and to see what she is doing now.
“She’s killing it. She’s been absolutely amazing,” McConnell continued. “Meg’s a great player. Set the standard for me and helped me out so much.”
McConnell noted that NGWSD is significant and events such as the one held at Bethel Park are remarkable.
“This is awesome,” she said. “I would have loved to have had something like this in high school to get interacted with college players, and just the support for women’s basketball is incredible,” said the North Allegheny graduate.
“This event definitely brings a lot of attention to women’s sports, and girls playing basketball, and, honestly, any sport. I know they have a bunch of different sports here. And supporting women’s sports in general is just really awesome to see.”
Rick Bell was amazed at the transformation of his alma mater. Currently, he is an assistant to Dan Burt at Duquesne University. However, he once served as a young assistant on Larry Mickey’s girls basketball coaching staff at Bethel Park High School.
“It’s always great to come back here because I love Bethel Park. Always have,” Bell said. “It looks a little different. A lot different,” he stressed.
“I think what they are doing here is tremendous. The growth that has occurred in all of women’s sports, especially women’s basketball is fabulous. It’s long overdue.”
Bethel Park went the extra mile to make NGWSD complete.
Sydney Kellander delivered the National Anthem on her trumpet. The high school pep band entertained throughout the game.
An all-female crew officiated the game. The unit included: Diane Hrapla, Caitlin Self and Teresa Buss.
In addition, the girls tennis team was recognized for its achievements, winning a section title, claiming a WPIAL runner-up trophy and reaching the quarterfinals in the PIAA tournament. They finished 18-2 on the year.
As a junior on that squad, Fisher was both in awe of the accomplishments of the college athletes in her presence. She also recognized her responsibility towards the younger athletes in attendance that are following in her footsteps.
“It’s interesting because we have the college kids to look up to and these younger kids have us as role models. So it kind of brings it all full circle
“I know I want to play in college like all these older girls. It’s like the possibilities of what my life is gonna end up looking like, hopefully. And then it’s, like, wanting to encourage the youth and put them where I am. So it makes everything just a really wholesome experience for me.”