McKeesport Girls Basketball Team Joins Swin Cash for HOF Induction
Check out the photo diary and reactions from an unforgettable journey the team shared with a McKeesport legend.
Originally published on DICK'S Sporting Goods Sideline Report
Basketball legend Swin Cash has never forgotten her roots in the City of McKeesport.
Her induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2022 was just another example of how she never left her tight-knit city on the outskirts of Pittsburgh behind. In fact, she brought the McKeesport girls basketball team as guests of the event, where they joined Cash for a night that they will never forget.
We caught up with the team to get the inside story about the moment they heard they would be Swin’s guests of honor, their amazing journey, proudly supported by DICK’S, and finally, a night on the town unlike anything they had experienced before with a McKeesport legend.
"THE REACTION WAS INDESCRIBABLE"
It was a day like any other, until a phone chimed.
"Swin Cash actually took the time to call the team on FaceTime and announced it live. The reaction was indescribable. The girls were so excited," said McKeesport girls basketball coach Amy Gumbert, who played alongside Cash for the Tigers in the mid-90s.
Added senior Avionna Menifee: "It was truly quite amazing, and we were so excited to find out the news that we'd be able to go to the induction."
"THE JOURNEY"
DICK'S Sporting Goods has developed a lasting partnership with the McKeesport School District and for the ceremony, supplied the buses for the team's trip to the Hall, located in Springfield, Massachusetts. Along the way, the team of 15 players, coaches and staff stopped at the University of Connecticut, where Swin won an NCAA championship before becoming a WNBA champion, winning an Olympic gold medal and securing her current role as the Vice President of Basketball Operations for the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans. The Tigers toured the facilities and even got to walk on the court of the 11-time National Champion Huskies.
"HOPEFUL FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF BALLERS"
Swin's acceptance speech brought the audience to tears and, before the wave of enthusiasm crested with a standing ovation, she gave a shoutout to the girls, saying "This I know: I'm sitting amongst the greatest in this room, humbled to be on this stage and hopeful for the next generation of ballers with the skillset to take this game to the next level, and the social responsibility to bring this whole world along with them."
Junior Madison Hertzler said, “It was empowering because she came from the same place that we came from, and she lifted herself so high up.”
Junior Brooke Evans added, “She was in the same spot that we were in at one point in time so it reminded us that if we work just as hard, we can get there one day.”
Swin's message about her personal journey resonated deeply with the team because they will always be connected by their common bond to their hometown.
“Our school is in a lower-income area and basketball has always been an outlet,” said Amy. “It really shows them that anybody can do it, no matter where they are from. I think the girls will learn that you may not be the best basketball player but, in this field, you can see beyond just being an athlete. In the room there were so many leaders in all different roles, so basketball can just be used as a tool to get there."
"TRULY THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME"
The McKeesport team members were guests of honor and attended both the red-carpet ceremony before the event and the lively afterparty.
“We were so excited to get to pick out dresses and get dressed up together,” said junior Maddie Cherepko. “When we got to go to the afterparty, no one wanted to leave the dance floor. We even got to dance with and talk to Swin Cash.”
Rachael Manfredo, also a junior, added, “It was truly an experience of a lifetime that we will all never forget. Some of the highlights were being in the same room and meeting people from the WNBA.”
In the middle of all the excitement among the McKeesport team was one of their very own. Swin danced with the group and shared the moment as effortlessly as if she were still playing for her hometown team.
"I was looking around at all these people in the room and there's Swin dancing with the team," said Amy. "It was a dream come true, showing these kids what's possible. Swin is different and will always be different."
