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SIUE Women's Basketball delivered both a win and a memorable community moment on Wednesday, Nov. 19, defeating Indiana State 81–71 in front of a packed arena full of more than 1,500 local students for SIUE’s annual Education Day game.

With the stands overflowing with young fans from 11 different schools, the Cougars were powered by a remarkable performance from freshman standout Kiyoko Proctor, who led all scorers with 26 points while providing 2 rebounds and 4 assists. Her toughness and early scoring set the tone for SIUE and made an immediate impression on the next generation of athletes watching closely from the bleachers. 
Among the young fans in attendance was 11-year-old Madisyn Nash, a sixth-grade basketball player from Lincoln Middle School who was experiencing not only her first college basketball game, but her very first visit to SIUE’s campus. What she saw left a big impression.

“Seeing all the college kids play inspires me a lot,” she said, taking in the atmosphere around her.  It didn’t take long for her to find a favorite Cougar. “I like number one,” she said, referring to Proctor. “She’s really tough. She got the first bucket, and it inspired me. She just stuck out to me.”

With hopes of reaching the WNBA in the future, Madisyn said she loved the chance to watch high-level college basketball up close and didn’t hesitate when asked whether she could see herself wearing Cougar red one day.

“Yeah,” she said with confidence. When invited to share a message for the coaches or players, she smiled and added, “I look forward to seeing them if I do come play for SIUE.” Before heading back to her classmates, she offered one more note for the team as they continue their season: “Good luck the rest of the season, and they should come to Lincoln and watch our game sometime.”

Lincoln Middle School was one of several schools in attendance. Other participating schools included Cassens, Columbus, Dupo, Liberty, Roxana, Saint Boniface, Staunton, Trinity Lutheran, Woodland, and Worden. Together, they helped create one of the loudest, liveliest atmospheres of the season.

Among the teachers accompanying the Lincoln students was SIUE alumna Kim Glisson (’01), an English Language Arts teacher who earned her master’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis in reading from SIUE.

Glisson said anticipation among her students was high.

“They were so excited,” she said. “So many of the kids had not been on campus… it’s nice for them to see something in their own town.” As someone who lives near SIUE and visits frequently, she knows how valuable these moments can be for students who may not otherwise have the chance to explore a university environment.

“I hope they connect to this part of the community, and maybe they’ll come back to a game with their families,” she said. “I want them to look at SIUE as a really good option for furthering their education.”

While the final score favored SIUE, the magnitude of the day extended far beyond the box score. The Education Day game gave young students the chance to see college athletics up close, to imagine themselves pursuing higher education, and to connect with a campus that many were experiencing for the first time. The Cougars walked off the court victorious, but so did every student who left the arena believing a little more in what their own future might hold.

Photos by Howard Ash