SEMO Athletics hosts fundraiser for Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation, celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – At the SEMO basketball games Thursday night, Redhawks Athletics did their part to support Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation. 

A portion of the ticket sales for the games will go back to the Cape Parks and Rec Foundation to fund their various programs. 

Senior Associate Director of Athletics for External Affairs Nate Saverino explained why SEMO Athletics partnered with Cape Parks and Rec to recognize National Girls and Women in Sports Day. 

“They are sort of the first opportunity for girls in our community to get involved in sports,” he said.

Saverino said events like this help the athletic programs represent the university in a positive light. 

“We have a tremendous responsibility as a local college team, as a Division I college program right here in southeast Missouri, to make sure that we give back to our community and give our young people in Cape Girardeau and the area an opportunity to see that dreams come true,” he said.

At halftime on the women’s game, each of the SEMO women’s sports teams were recognized, and after the game, members from those teams greeted young fans, shared laughs and smiles, and signed autographs. 

Soccer player Megan Heisserer embraces this moment to interact with the future generation of Redhawks. 

“It’s really exciting seeing all of these young kids out supporting SEMO and just watching the future generations come through, and they’re so excited, so it’s great to see,” she said.