Meet the Press, Greet the Fans by Julie Wicher, Sirens Half Back Perspectives Editorial Volume 1, Issue 6 October 1, 2002 I get star struck every time I see or meet a famous person. I went to a basketball camp one summer in high school and Karl Malone was there; I was so excited when he asked for a volunteer that I jumped up and ran out to him before he had a chance to pick someone. I was out on the floor so quickly that I didn't even tie my shoes, so Mr. Malone had to stand there and wait until I was finished before he could start his demonstration. Fame is such an interesting thing. Ordinary people are placed up on a pedestal by their peers and treated as idols. I am definitely not implying that any of us Sirens are "Famous." We do not get paid millions of dollars. There are no bodyguards protecting us from stalking, obsessive fans. We do however get our name mentioned on the news occasionally, and if we're lucky, a quick clip of footage will be shown on TV. I was asked for my autograph for the first time after our season opener against San Francisco. Although I've asked other athletes in professional sports for their autographs whenever I've had the chance, the thought of signing my name for someone else was very strange. I wanted to write something deep and meaningful that the person would "cherish" but I was so thrown back at the thought of someone wanting me to scribble my name down that my mind just went blank. The first thing that finally popped into my head was a certain quote by Tom Hanks in the movie "A League of Our Own" when he was asked to sign a little boy's baseball. Needless to say I just signed my name. That same game I was interviewed by a TV station for the first time. It was right after the game so I was still all sweaty, a little out of breath and I'm sure after taking my helmet off my hair was not quite salon quality. Before I knew it, I was face to face with a bright light and a big camera. Honestly I don't even remember what questions I was asked, I just pray that whatever I said was coherent. On several occasions, our team has had the opportunity to be interviewed by radio stations. A few DJ's have challenged us with scrimmages while others come out and actually practice. I'm sure initially there is a conception that we are a bunch of weak women that just push each other around. It's funny to hear their reaction after they see how hard we work. It is even funnier to watch as one of them gets hit for the first time. When all is said and done, I guarantee the press respect our sport quite a bit more; that's all we're really looking for. We play for the love of the game. There are still those out there that think we are not worthy of recognition. The decision has to be made to either dwell on the negative or excel with the positive. Sacramento has always been very supportive of their professional teams; I hope over time we will receive the same amount of support and recognition as well. Presently I concentrate on winning games and having fun, and will always take time out to sign an autograph for a new generation of dreamers.     Back