Meet the UNCA Lady Bulldogs basketball team
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — On a crisp winter Wednesday, we walked into the bright and spacious Kimmel Arena on the UNCA campus to the high-pitched roar of enthusiastic fans. The Lady Bulldogs had聽just tipped off against the crosstown adversary Warren Wilson Owls. Loud cheers聽bounced off the stadium walls from the bleachers full of uniquely pint-sized fans holding聽hand-drawn signs. It was Education Day, and the arena was packed with grade聽schoolers from half a dozen local schools, some in matching uniforms, many waving聽signs, all happily cheering on the action on the court.
As the game went on, Division I UNCA took a decisive lead against their D3 opponents聽from neighboring Swannanoa. The crowd continued to erupt in gleeful squeals –聽cheering on Rocky the Bulldog during a mid-game hype up, and almost losing their聽minds with excitement when their teachers were called to center court for a half-time聽dance competition.
When the game ended and the Bulldogs had secured a comfortable win, kids filed down聽to the boards to meet the players. Armed with fresh Sharpies, the team greeted their聽young fans with cordial smiles, happily signing their names and jersey numbers on聽shirts and sweatshirts.
鈥淚鈥檓 signing jackets wondering, is your mom going to be okay with this?鈥� reflected Junior聽Guard McKinley Brooks-Sumpter with a smile.
For some young fans, Education Day presents an opportunity to meet their pen pals.聽Coaches and teachers work together to match players with students to foster bonds聽within the community and offer kids healthy role models. The student athletes of the聽UNCA women鈥檚 basketball team are up for the task, bringing D1-level commitment,聽focus, and energy to the court and the classroom.
I watched a kid in a hoodie walk shyly up to senior forward Jamaya Blanks and ask how聽her holidays were. With a warm smile, she held his gaze, shared her favorite foods, and聽asked about his. Other kids approached players with their shoes in hand, asking for聽autographs, perhaps in hopes that it might offer some extra speed for the next recess聽pickup game.
Focus and Friendship
After the hordes of kids found their way back onto their respective buses, I sat down聽with four members of the team. Hoping to get straight to the juicy details and off-court聽drama, I first asked how they liked to unwind after dealing with the dueling stresses of the school year and basketball season. If I expected to hear some college-appropriate聽comment about campus parties and weekend camping trips, I was way off base.
Senior guard Faith Adams jumped in right away and, instead of sharing 海角社区 of off-court shenanigans, offered easy praise for her coach, Honey Brown.
鈥淐oach Brown helps us a lot. We鈥檒l have shorter practices or a day just for treatments.聽We might have more off-days. We might have a practice but it鈥檒l just be shooting. She聽knows that we go through a lot with the mental aspect of school.鈥�
For this team, basketball is a full-time job and, for many players, it鈥檚 in their blood.聽Junior Forward Abigail Wilson, an engineering student, comes from an athletic family and has聽been playing basketball 鈥渟ince [she] could walk.鈥�
That level of commitment is not optional. Even over the holidays, the team stays close聽to campus and remains focused on upcoming games. As a relatively young team with聽only a handful of seniors, the 2022-2023 Bulldogs are intent on building the cohesion聽and trust to propel them through a successful season.
An Extended Family
Luckily, no player has to go it alone. In many ways, this team functions like a family.聽They live and eat together and spend countless hours together during practices,聽traveling for road games, conditioning, and doing community activities. Through it all,聽they have each other鈥檚 backs. Whether its a well-timed rebound or a much-needed trip to Wing Stop to refuel, this team bonds.
For a team to come together, that trust is crucial. It can be the difference between a聽winning and losing season. Junior Guard Jamia Blake offered insight into how they build trust: 鈥淥ur team always harps on our purpose and our goals, like vulnerability and safety. Just having that space where we can all be our authentic selves and work together through our tough times.鈥� And it鈥檚 not always comfortable or easy.
She continued, 鈥淚t鈥檚 the power of forgiveness as well. The power of saying I鈥檓 sorry. All that stuff comes in and trust builds.鈥�
Wilson chimed in, 鈥淲e were just talking about being each other鈥檚 hype man.聽Encouraging each other, cheering each other on.鈥�
While coaches may focus on skills and performance, teammates provide a scaffolding聽of support, with upperclassmen stepping up to help out younger players as they adjust to聽life on campus.
鈥淕ood upperclassmen make the difference,鈥� added Adams. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e been there and聽are able to help model the way.鈥�
Building Skills that Go Beyond the Court
The players speak about their role on their team in grounded, humble tones, which was聽especially surprising after such an absolute rout of a matchup. It鈥檚 obvious that the聽culture of the team includes a commitment to success and accountability, as well as a聽well-formed support system for one another. This team knows that winning is about way聽more than physical skill.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a 50/50 split,鈥� said Brooks-Sumpter about the balance of mental and physical聽prowess on the court. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e missing the skill, you鈥檙e going to obviously lack. But if聽you鈥檝e got the skill and your mind鈥檚 not there, it鈥檚 going to be just as bad. [Mindset] is聽just as important.鈥�
With that focus on mindset, this team produces not only student athletes but well-rounded citizens. While the pen pal program connects players with grade schoolers who聽come to games on Education Days to cheer on their idols, the team also facilitates聽opportunities for athletes to interact with the professional community to help smooth the聽transition post-graduation. A program called Leaders for Leaders matches players with聽local leaders who offer mentorship and career guidance.聽Blake connected with a retired sports marketing agent through the program. 鈥淗e鈥檚 my聽mentor,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e have a great connection.鈥�
Calling All Fans
Indeed, UNCA is building connections between their student athletes and the聽community in many ways, including offering affordable season ticket packages. For聽young athletes and community members alike, the experience of a UNCA Lady聽Bulldogs game is not only fun but inspiring as well.
Their games are energetic, fast-paced, and (mostly) competitive. Players collaborate on聽and off the court where they review plays and dance during media timeouts. It鈥檚聽electrifying and, above all, it鈥檚 enjoyable. Feeling connected to this team is easy, and the聽connection goes both ways. 鈥淲e love when we see people outside of games. We love聽going to the men鈥檚 games and seeing how lit people are for them. We love our fans,鈥澛爏aid Adams.
When you attend a UNCA basketball game, you鈥檒l discover a new sense of connection with your community. I watched these athletes exhibit intense focus, athleticism, and drive and immediately felt invested in them. I wanted them to succeed the same way I want my home city to thrive.
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