VCU women's basketball aiming to set attendance record on Friday night at SupportHER game
For VCU women's basketball player Mykel Parham, last year's SupportHER game was the top highlight in a season that was full of big moments for the Rams.
"That meant so much to me," Parham said. "It's probably the highlight of my career. It was just so cool to see the Richmond community come together and support women's sports.
"Seeing the excitement on my teammates' faces, and being in that moment with them last season, I'm really excited to recreate that and even improve it."
The event, which is part of VCU's BoostHER initiative to advance women's athletics, will return Friday night for the Rams' early-season game against Temple.
Tipoff is at 7 p.m. at the Siegel Center, with discounted tickets available as VCU aims to match or exceed last season's attendance of 6,054 fans. Groups of 10 or more can attend for $5 per person.
The season started with exciting news for VCU Rams coach Beth O'Boyle, who shared with her team that she is expecting her first child in February.
"We joke around a little bit about some of the fun things that come with being six months pregnant, and being a little tired and swollen at times," O'Boyle said. "Can I squat during games? Not quite as long as I usually do.
"I'm about to have a little girl, and she has 15 great role models, and hopefully some great babysitters here too."
Last year's SupportHER game came at an opportune time, as a thrilling women's college basketball season was bringing extra attention to the sport, and VCU was in the hunt for the Atlantic 10 conference title.
This time, scheduling the game early in the season brings the hope that some of the fans who experience the game-day atmosphere on Friday night will return throughout the season.
Parham said as she winds down her VCU career, she wants to build support that will last for years to come.
"We talk about the generations that will come after us, and the legacies we're leaving," Parham said. "I think little girls, like Coach O'Boyle's, will know to demand a certain level of support, a certain level of attendance, at whatever they do. And I think it's so cool that my teammates and I all get to be a part of that."
O'Boyle added that amid the fanfare and pageantry, it will also be a key early-season test against a quality team.
"If you love basketball, you're going to love watching this game," she said.
