I want to extend a thank you to Geno Auriemma and all members of the UConn women’s basketball program throughout the years. As a young woman who grew up in Connecticut, I am incredibly lucky. I was able to look up to female student-athletes my entire childhood. The Connecticut women's basketball players are the best role models I could have asked for. When I was younger, I would read the sports section every morning. Every morning from November-March I would see pictures and read articles about you. From a young age, it was normal for me to see just as many pictures of female athletes as male athletes in the newspaper. I read articles about community service work that you were doing and was inspired to give back to my community. I witnessed how your hard work and determination paid off and believed that mine could too.

As a little girl when I watched sports on TV, I never had to imagine myself as one of the boys. I looked up to athletes that had long hair and boobs just like me. You were relatable, and the message was passed on to me at an early age: If I worked hard enough and wanted it badly enough, I too could play at a collegiate level and win championships.

As I got older, the reality set in that as an athlete I was talented but not phenomenal. I was never good enough to play at your level. It was a sad realization, but I am so overwhelmingly thankful to all of you throughout the years for allowing me to idolize you, and helping me believe that I too, as a girl could be an amazing athlete. I believed that my gender didn’t define my potential.

Thank you. Thank you for inspiring thousands of little girls. Thank you for setting the example of helping a teammate up after a play knocks them down. Thank you for being beautiful, strong, women that pick each other up instead of tearing each other down. Thank you.

- A grateful girl from Connecticut