by Cleveland, Ohio- A panel of leading women in sports gave Northeast Ohio student-athletes the opportunity to hear advice firsthand after the WNBA Cleveland Sirens’ brand launch at Rocket Arena.
Cleveland Sirens are sharp, unapologetic, fearless, relentless, and powerful. They will inspire the next generation of female athletes with these attributes and more come closer to 2028. Until then, these young women are in the great hands of the leaders who have paved the way from the court to researching at The Cleveland Clinic.
Helen Darling- former WNBA Rocker- Wants to see you pivot
Helen Darling, Class of 2000 Rocker, was a point guard so of course she took charge and began the panel. The message Darling wants to have ingrained in the athletes’ brains is “it is ok to pivot”. The first example that comes to mind is a player needs to find an opening in the defense, so they continue to pivot to pass. It could also be, the first try solving the math problem did not work, so the student pivots and tries another equation; or even, the copier is broken, so the teacher pivots to having the students do the lesson online. Pivoting is a part of life.
What is most important about all these pivots is to always have that one foot planted. A person is planted in who they are and their own talents and gifts. Whenever there is a problem, having that sense of self to fall back on allows people to make the next change while also making the right decision that aligns with themselves and their values/goals.
For Darling, she falls back on reading. As a literacy advocate and author, she loves to help her community and show them the importance of taking the time to read. Cracking open a book is also one of her favorite ways to take time for her mental health.
Darling made the final note of telling the girls: “Please take the time to stretch, really stretch.” Stretching ensures athletes’ bodies are prepared for and recovered from every practice.
Dr. Marie Schaefer- CLE Clinic WISER Program- shows medicine takes strives
Another part of preparing and recovering athletes, especially female, is having the medical system to back them up. According to Dr. Marie Schaefer, Sports and Exercise medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic, “Research is predominately done on male bodies but is coming to more women.” With the gap on female research in the medical system, it is harder to find solutions that actually work. The popularity of women’s sports is creating the space for more technology and solutions to help foster female athletes. Ultimately, it will further help to prevent injuries. Also, it will make sure the tools are there to help athletes recover and comeback stronger when injuries do occur.
Dr. Schaefer believes society and schools have already taken strives for female athletes by having more resources available. Especially now, as athletic trainers are required onsite at high schools. They are there to help all their athletes succeed along with coaches, athletic directors, teachers, and other teammates. Her favorite part of being a physician is others allowing her to be a part of their journey to success.
She wants athletes to remember: “Take care of yourself and fuel for the performance you want to do.”
