There hasn’t been much good news arriving out of the Windy City over the past few years. Since 2007 over 300 Chicago area students have been killed due to gun violence. Still, there is always hope and as a testament to that stands WNBA New York Liberty shooting guard, Cappie Pondexter. The WNBA All-Star, 2008 Olympic gold medal winner and championship titleholder is living proof that with a strong family support system, opportunity and education one can rise out of dire situations to reach greater heights.
“Chicago is a tough place to grow up with so much crime. I had so many [people] that were close to me [that have] been killed or jailed. A close cousin of mine that was 16 was murdered. My mom and grandmother were religious, so I was always in church. My only outlet to get with friends was basketball, and I used basketball to have a better life,” she says.
Pondexter knew early on that part of attaining a better life involved an education, so she enrolled into college. Even so, she faced a whole set of new challenges when she was expelled.
“I recited something wrong in a paper and I got kicked out of school for plagiarism. I had to get a job and find an apartment and pay bills. I wasn’t allowed to play basketball and it was the toughest thing ever. It made me respect and not take for granted the situation I was in.”
Now with recognition as a true WNBA star, Pondexter is taking nothing for granted including her status as a role model. As the new spokesperson for the non-profit Entertainers 4 Education Alliance, Cappie is helping to encourage youth to stay in school and graduate.
“In an urban neighborhood you don’t have anybody to look up. I have a voice because of what happened to me in college. When sports is not around, you need education to be successful in life,” she says.
Pondexter continues to find success in life off the court too with her new lifestyle firm, 4 Season Style Management. With these new ventures Pondexter continues to serve as an inspiration that there is always hope for getting out of one’s negative environment.
Now that’s always good news. –souleo
