Fever try to set right example, reveal team's Purdue ties and navigate Olympic-induced hiatus

Currently in the midst of a five-week break for the Summer Olympics, the Indiana Fever recently took a reprieve from its training schedule to host its 11th annual bowling tournament that benefits the Be YOUnique Fund.

The event, held at Pinheads Entertainment Center in Fishers, benefits the grant fund of the Pacers Foundation that encourages the development of life skills and the protection of self-image among young women throughout the state.

Since its inception in 2001, the Fever’s bowling tournament has raised over $70,000 — including 2012’s total of $14,350 — for the Pacers’ Be YOUnique Fund.

For Fever assistant coach Stephanie White, taking part in the bowling tournament serves as a reminder to give back and keep in mind the youngsters looking up to her. Growing up in West Lebanon, White idoloized the male basketball players she saw on television.

“There were no female role models. You had to watch the guys. You watched the Michael Jordan’s, the Scottie Pippen’s, the John Stockton’s and the Karl Malone’s,” White said. “Now, young girls and boys have an opportunity to see great athletes regardless of gender, regardless of economic status, and they see great athletes who make a difference in the community.”

Nowadays, image is everything in the world and with the advent of technology, especially social media, things can spiral out of control fast. For young people, the world can often seem far greyer than it actually is in reality.

“It’s a scary world that we live in,” said Fever guard Katie Douglas. “Things get lost and things get emphasized that probably shouldn’t be emphasized like image and things like that.”

White said self-doubt will always exist in the mind of a young person, but through hard work and dedication, a path to success exists.

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