New event aims to empower female athletes
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Fort Wayne-based Parkview Sports Medicine and former Indiana Miss Basketball Ayanna Patterson are teaming up to host a first-of-its-kind event for northeast Indiana. The partners say the Ayanna Patterson EmPower Forward Weekend will focus on empowering female athletes and supporting individuals with autism.
The weekend-long event is scheduled to take place at the end of July and will feature a basketball camp for grades 6-12 and an all ages, three-on-three basketball tournament at the SportONE/Parkview Fieldhouse. Proceeds from the event will support the Autism Society of Indiana.
Parkview says the event will also include a banquet at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center, where Ayanna will present two newly-created awards: the Women’s Athlete of the Year award honoring an outstanding incoming senior athlete of any sport, and the Female Athletics Advocate of the Year award honoring an outstanding coach or community member.
Patterson, a graduate of Homestead High School in Fort Wayne, is currently in her freshman season with the University of Connecticut Women’s Basketball team.
“I’m excited to embark on this new partnership with PSM, as they have played an integral part in my basketball performance and recovery,” said Patterson, who trained at PSM Performance Training throughout high school. “Hosting a fun and memorable weekend in my hometown, while raising awareness and funds for a cause that is near and dear to me, is a dream come true.”
Additional event details will be released later this year.