Boston College Athletics
Crawley Hosts WNBA All-Star Chapel Service
August 03, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Aug. 3, 2009
Chestnut Hill, MA - Boston College head coach Sylvia Crawley conducted a prayer service before the WNBA All-Star Game in Uncasville, Connecticut on July 25. Crawley, a licensed minister and motivational speaker, has been involved with the WNBA's chapel since she her retirement from San Antonio Silver Stars.
At the WNBA All-Star game, Crawley met with players from both the East and West Squads at 9 a.m. in the hotel on the day of the game. She had the distinct honor of motivating the All-Stars before playing in front of a sold out crowd. There was singing, prayer, and a scripture reading by Tamika Catchings prior to Crawley's devotion.
"I was supposed to motivate the players, however some of them had tears in their eyes while listening to a message prepared specifically for them. That was not the response that I was expecting, but the tears were an indicator that this was a much needed message," explained Crawley.
Crawley, who will enter her second season as the head coach at Boston College, attended the WNBA All-Star game between her busy schedule of conducting camps at BC and a number of recruiting trips. Crawley still remains in touch with a number of friends and coaches in the WNBA.
"There is an instant connection to the message because I know exactly what the players are feeling and going through at this point in the season," said Crawley. "I spoke to the players about identity and knowing who they are outside of being a WNBA basketball player. Self image is supposed to be a mirror of who we are, but sometimes how WE see ourselves is not a true reflection of who we really are.''
"It is always great to reconnect with old friends that I used to compete against such as; Tamika Catchings, Becky Hammond, Katie Smith, and Lauren Jackson. And I also got to meet some of the newer rookies that I've coached against in the A-10 & ACC; such as Alana Beard, and Candace Dupree," said Crawley. The real treat was meeting the other Sylvia (Sylvia Fowles). I passed the torch to her and told her to represent our name well," said Crawley of Fowles, who later dunk at the end of the All-Star game.
Last season, Crawley conducted a chapel service in August prior to a WNBA game between the Connecticut Sun and Houston Comets in Uncasville, Connecticut. She will continue this in August for several Connecticut Sun games.
