The new Sports Girls Club chapter at Kansas State started its year off strong with a basketball tournament. Alongside the original goal of raising money for the club, the event provided many K-State students a fun and competitive evening with the help of the women’s basketball team.

“I really think it’s awesome that we have a club like this at K-State with so many girls that are into it and just excited and competitive,” guard Serena Sundell said. 

The money raised from its first event is planned to help Sports Girls Club members attend a national conference in Boston on April 12-13.

“We needed to raise money for our first year in the club, and the tournament was just one of the first ideas that we had to not only involve everybody, and raise money, so that’s kind of just a win-win in that sense,” Sports Girls Club member Sophie Smith said. 

The women’s basketball team served as referees for the tournament.

“I think that since the girls are doing so good and we’re having them ref for us, it’s just working out in everybody’s favor,” Smith, sophomore in news and sports media, said.

The game featured a plethora of students, including other student athletes, competing at the Chester E. Peters Recreation Center.

“I was pumped,” guard Taryn Sides said. “I think it’s fun to see the other athletes here too — volleyball and soccer — and just all the different people that I don’t really get to see very often.” 

The tournament saw a turnout of 29 teams between the women’s and men’s brackets. Wolfpack won the women’s tournament and J.L.Y. took the men’s title. 

The Sports Girls Club anticipates hosting another 3v3 tournament next year in hopes to continue growing the club and bring women working in sports together.

“It takes a lot to be competitive in this industry, so instead of tearing each other down and trying to be competitive, it’s about lifting each other up,” Sports Girls Club member Emma Wiley, senior in business marketing and news and sports media, said.