As the fall sports season winds down, many girls’ teams and individual female athletes across the state of Iowa have advanced to the next level of competition: state. To honor the achievements of state qualifying athletes, beginning this year the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) has begun a special new tradition.
When a team or individual qualifies for state, the IGHSAU awards them with an admission ticket to the state competition in their respective sport. Each ticket has the phrase “Ticket Punched” printed on it, and this creative idea has started a viral Twitter trend: #TicketPunched.
The Ticket Punched movement was created by Executive Director of the IGHSAU, Jean Berger. Berger is the first female Executive Director of the IGHSAU and previously worked within the NCAA. Berger’s experience in collegiate athletics enabled her to think of unique ways to market female sports. Berger herself was an “Iowa Girl”, as she grew up playing sports in Iowa. Berger truly understands the importance of promoting the accomplishments of young female athletes. “Building confidence and opportunity in girls that will last them a lifetime is one of the main goals of the IGHSAU,” stated Berger.
Pleasant Valley Activities Director, D’Anne Kroemer, is a member on the board of directors of the IGHSAU. Kroemer said, “Ticket Punched is a cool way to showcase girls athletics and show how special girls sports really are.”
This season, many Pleasant Valley athletes have punched their tickets to state. The girls’ cross country team qualified for state after placing third at the district meet on October 19. The runners were the first Pleasant Valley girls that earned an admission ticket to state from the IGHSAU. Senior runner, Laura Brown, said, “I think the new Ticket Punched tradition is a really cute idea! It helps teams be even more excited and proud after qualifying for state.”
Many members of the Pleasant Valley girls’ swimming and diving team also punched their tickets to state during their regional meet on October 28. Senior swimming standout, Aviana Zahara, received a combined total of four admission tickets in both individual events and relays. Zahara stated, “I really like the idea behind the Ticket Punched tradition! It makes the accomplishment feel bigger, and it gives you something to hold onto to remember that moment by.”
The Ticket Punched tradition will continue to empower and recognize female athletes in the state of Iowa through many seasons and years to come.
