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.
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.”
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.