Connor Sports® Partners with the WPBA to provide Ultimate Fan Experience at Women’s College Basketball Championship

Source: Connor Sports

Indianapolis (March 31, 2016) – Connor Sports has partnered with the Women’s Professional Basketball Alumnae (WPBA) to host a series of exciting, fan-friendly events in Indianapolis in conjunction with the 2016 college basketball championship during the year 2016 that marks a number of milestones for the sport of women’s basketball in the United States. 

In 2016, Team USA celebrates its 40th anniversary of international competition, the NCAA® celebrates 35 years of tournament action, and the WNBA embarks on an unprecedented 20th season of professional women’s basketball in the U.S.

For the second year in a row, Connor Sports as the market leader in sports surfaces, has partnered with the WPBA to provide the ultimate fan experience in the host city of the women’s college basketball championship.

“The WPBA is extremely pleased that Connor Sports and their Connor Cares community initiative has again partnered with us to positively impact the sport of women’s basketball,” said Rushia Brown of the WPBA. “This WPBA and Connor Sports partnership establishes a commitment to women’s basketball and the positive effect it has on young girls and women playing this sport all over the world.”

“Connor Sports has committed to a long-term relationship with the WPBA because it is an organization leading the charge and truly supporting women’s sports, Marketing Director Lauren Gillian. “We at Connor Sports are excited to be part of this movement and thank the WPBA for the opportunity to positively affect women’s sports on so many levels.”

WPBA Events

Friday, April 1st/7 p.m. to 10 p.m.:

“Hoops Meets Heels” Fashion Show at the Final Four Fan Fest™ Presented by Capitol One® at the Indiana Convention Center.  Organized by University of Tennessee stand-out and WNBA vet Shyra Ely-Gash’s company, Styles by ME has been essential in providing players and coaches the opportunity to express themselves through their wardrobes and now the fans will get the chance to see these elite athletes in a brand new light. This star-studded, high energy runway show is artfully designed to replicate an actual basketball game, featuring Warm Up, Game Time, Post Game, and the after Party. This exciting evening will close with a V.I.P. Appreciation Reception and performance by rap pioneers Salt-N-Pepa!

Saturday, April 2 at Emmerich Manual High School, 2405 Madison Avenue in Indianapolis (In appreciation to Coach Sturgeon and the Emmerich Manual girls’ basketball team, a portion of proceeds will be donated to the Manual Lady Redskins Basketball Team):

Hoopin’ w/ the Lady Legends fantasy camp. A limited number of participants will be able to have court time with legends and current stars including Teresa Edwards; Katrina McClain; Andrea Stinson; Ruthie Bolton; Kelly Schumacher; Chantelle Tremitiere; Michele Van Gorp, Tamera Young and many more. Each participant will receive a signature jersey and a once-in-a -lifetime experience on the court for drills, skills and a scrimmage followed by lunch and a private autograph and photo session with over 30 of their favorite players.

Connor Sports Presents the Lady Legends Celebrity Basketball Game. Here’s your chance to see if your favorite ballers still have it! Last year, Olympic Gold Medalist Ruthie Bolton scored 44 points and captured the M.V.P. honor beating out Nykesha Sales, Fran Harris, Danielle Viglione and many others. This year’s game boasts the likes of Chicago Sky guard/small forward Tamera Young, Connecticut alumni standouts’ Kelly Schumacher and Svetlana Abrosimova, NCAA coaches and WNBA greats Chasity Melvin, Murriel Page, Mery Andrade, Taj McWilliams-Franklin and many others.

Sunday April 3/11:30 a.m./14 E. Washington, Indianapolis:

Women in Sports and Business Panel/Brunch. This event sponsored by Connor Sports will showcase prominent women in sport and business to discuss issues women face in both the world of sports and business. Subject matter will include gender bias, stereotypes of female athletes, representation of female athletes in the media, the transition into the business world and other topics relevant to women in sports and business featuring panelists:

Beth Brooke-Marciniak (Global Vice Chair Public Policy and Global Sponsor for Diversity and Inclusiveness at Ernst & Young); Donna deVarona (Olympic medalist, sportscaster, co-founder of the Ernst & Young Women in Sports International Business Mentorship Program); Teresa Edwards (5-time Olympian, coach, motivational speaker); Laura Gentile (Senior V.p. and Founder of ESPNW); Michelle Marciniak (Former WNBA / President of Sheex) and Natalie White (former athlete, Nike Executive, Atlanta Dream Director of Sales)

The panel will be moderated by NCAA, WNBA and NBA basketball analyst, and Wake Forest star, LaChina Robinson. At the completion of the panel, guests will have the incredible opportunity to dine and converse with the panelist and almost 50 of their favorite NCAA Women’s basketball players. The host for the Women in Sports & Business Panel and Brunch is Georgia Reese’s Southern Cuisine owned by NFL Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion from the Indianapolis Colts, Gary Brackett. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, April 5/ 36 Degrees Sports Bar, 36 E. Washington St, Indianapolis

WPBA Viewing Party hosted by SEC Legend and Tennessee standout, Shyra Ely-Gash. Come watch the games with your favorite pros and coaches at the viewing party that will transition into a post-game party to celebrate the victors and their advancement to the championship game.

Tickets for all WPBA events are available at www.wpbalum.com.

ABOUT THE WPBA www.wpbalum.com

The Women’s Professional Basketball Alumnae (WPBA) is the only organization structured to assist women who have played professionally in the WNBA or in Europe as they transition into the next phase of their career. We are committed to providing support and resources for Career Transition; Higher Education; Philanthropic Engagement and Spiritual & Psychological Well-Being. The WPBA is a sisterhood, assisting players in their journey as they attain excellence in their next career. The WPBA membership consists of women that were once stars in the NCAA, National Champions, Olympic medalists, WNBA champions and international superstars.