This Women’s History Month, I will be spotlighting women athletes and their achievements in college, after college, and beyond. Athletes are Humans First and while I want to highlight their athletic ability and achievements, I also want to point a spotlight on what they are doing off their field of play.
The first athlete up is Sydney Carter, former WNBA player and 2011 National Champion with Texas A&M University, who is now coaching for the University of Texas as their Director of Player Development. Coach Vic Schaefer, who coached her at Texas A&M University, hired Carter in 2022.
“We are very happy to be able to announce the addition of Sydney Carter to our staff here at the University of Texas,” Schaefer said in a school press release. “She brings so much to the table that will help our student-athletes succeed and become the best they can possibly be, both on and off the floor.
“As our director of player development, she will be able to impact our kids in so many different ways and help represent our program in a positive manner. We are very blessed to have her on The Forty Acres.”
Carter is having a huge impact on the program which is currently ranked 12th nationally. However, her impact off the court is equally, if not more, impressive. She made headlines in 2022 because of her fierce and unique on-court style.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZr5sEbpKG_/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=bee735a7-b820-4790-9e31-05466520841e
This outfit drew wild criticism from some who thought she looked “unprofessional.” However, Carter loves fashion and didn’t back down from the unwarranted criticism. She used it as a teaching moment.
“I literally post every [game day] outfit,” she told Yahoo! Life, adding, “I just think that people are uncomfortable with a Black woman being in a power position.” She said that for some, “When you see a Black woman who is actually confident and embracing herself, I think that that’s very intimidating.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ0T8FHs4QT/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=706cc536-309c-445d-8acb-250374773f6d
Carter has since built a sort of fashion empire even attending New York Fashion Week as an invited guest of the Veronica Beard brand.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CostzZlvDc_/
“We believe in enduring personal style. We believe in the doers and makers, the movers and shakers. We believe that a dream wardrobe has to work for real life. Look good, feel good, do good,” the Veronica Beard website states. They chose a great one in Carter because she encompasses and embodies the brand perfectly.
Carter’s story is far from over, but we can learn a thing or two from her current journey. Being yourself might not always be popular, but those who understand you will have your back, and those who need to hear your story will find strength in your journey. Thank you, Sydney for showing women in sports that we belong and we can be ourselves.
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