Stephanie Logue 

Staff Writer 

Szl414@psu.edu

For every sports fan, the final quarter, inning, etc. can always be a nail biter which can make or break the team. On October 17th the WNBA had this moment, at the final buzzer, Candace Parker ran down the court in joy. The tears had already started falling seconds before, when the Chicago Sky, the team she’d joined just eight months ago after a 13-year career in Los Angeles, seized a 4-point lead over the Phoenix Mercury in Game 4 of the W.N.B.A. finals. Courtney Vandersloot, a Sky guard, then sank two free throws. On the other end of the court, Phoenix center Brittney Griner missed a jumper, and the game was over. The Sky had won the series three games to one after defeating the Mercury 80-74 in Game 4. It was the franchise’s first-ever championship. They were up against a lot of challenges. Despite being behind by nine points entering the fourth quarter, the Sky came back to win the game, thanks in part to Allie Quigley’s 26 points and Parker’s 13 rebounds. Kahleah Copper, a forward for the Sky, was named MVP of the championship.

The Chicago Bulls stormed onto their home court at Wintrust Arena, tears streaming down their sweat-soaked cheeks. Parker hugged her family and raised her eyes to the crowd.  “Look at the city, man. They all showed up,” she said. “They all showed up,” Parker added. Parker expressed her gratitude to her family for being able to attend the game during a postgame press conference. Parker, who grew up in Naperville, Ill., a Chicago suburb, also remarked,  “It’s just an amazing feeling to be from here and see so many people in the stands who have been supporting you since you started.” According to The New York Times, this is Parker’s second W.N.B.A title. To add another historic moment, according to npr.org, Coach James Wade became the third Black male coach to win a WNBA championship with the Sky’s victory. There has been much support from a sold out night to former President Barack Obama giving his hometown team some praise on Twitter, writing, “Congrats to our new WNBA champs, @ChicagoSky! I couldn’t be prouder of this team — they worked hard for this moment, and have made our city proud.” 

To celebrate this amazing victory, On October 19th Parker had a rally in Michigan Ave. parade in Millennium Park rally. Sky supporters cheered on the caravan of champions who were clearly distinct from many of Chicago’s other sports heroes, wearing their team jerseys.“We don’t have a lot to look up to, but for the Sky to win it, it brings a lot to women’s sports and girls’ sports in general,” fan Melanie Bonifacio said. “It’s a big deal.” Michele Curley, a season ticket holder for the Chicago Sky, was looking forward to the WNBA champions’ arrival at Michigan and Roosevelt. “I just love the support the city of Chicago’s giving to this team, and I just say, let’s keep it going,” Curley said. As the team made its way from Wintrust Arena, other supporters put up lawn chairs for a front row seat.”It is the first and only time I can remember having a parade for a women’s team in the Chicago area,” fan Melanie Byrnes said. “I’m 66 years young, and I’m happy that I lived to see this, for sure.” Hundreds of people applauded the champions as they rolled by with their trophy raised overhead. After the buses passed, some fans went to the rally to continue the festivities.

The city was filled for one of the year’s greatest celebrations as the team made their way to Millennium Park. At Pritzker Pavilion, residents from the north, south, and west sides gathered to witness history. Both Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Governor JB Pritzker greeted the team when they arrived. It was a special moment for Latear Eason, and she wanted her daughter to be there to see it. Candace Parker, a resident of the South Side, said she played against her in college and knows firsthand how much she deserves this honor.“It was amazing. I was a freshman At LSU and she was a senior. So I wasn’t going to miss this moment for anything. I wanted to witness it with my daughter,” Eason said. Kaitlyn Mathews added that she decided to bring her daughter out to demonstrate the power of women in the city.“She’s able to see strong leadership by the players and teamwork and it’s something that’s really awesome,” Mathews said.