In 2003, Coale had the idea to create a group whose members not only would support the athletic efforts of the team, but also whose makeup would reflect the strong, confident professionals that Coach Coale was grooming her players to become. Thus was born the Sooner Stilettos.
Now in its eighth year, the Sooner Stilettos serve the women’s basketball program in numerous ways: they host watch parties and attend games, lead mentoring sessions and, through their membership dues, help fund the Marita Hynes Scholarship Endowment, one of the 15 fully endowed scholarships created by private donors for the women’s basketball team. Through their interactions with players, Stiletto members help shape the development of OU’s female student-athletes and guide their journey in becoming the next generation of business, community and philanthropic leaders.
Earlier this month, the Stiletto’s expanded their impact beyond women’s basketball to all of the University of Oklahoma women’s sports by hosting an event titled “Sports and Cohorts: Women Entrepreneurs.” The April 20th event was held from 7:00p.m. – 9:00p.m. at the women’s practice court in Lloyd Noble Arena and was wildly successful, as approximately 100 female student-were in attendance, along with 30 to 50 Sooner Stiletto members.
The event kicked off with a panel discussion led by Lou Kerr, President and CEO of The Kerr Foundation. The panel consisted of women featured in Lou Kerr and Jarretta Nord’s book, “A Cup of Cappuccino for the Entrepreneur’s Spirit.” After the panel shared the lessons they have learned through business and life, the student-athletes were able to rotate through tables where panel members were stationed for mentoring opportunities as they asked questions and received feedback from the selected entrepreneurs.
Having female role models from the business world interact with the OU student-athletes will help them see many unique possibilities in business and entrepreneurship. This one-of-a-kind mentoring opportunity also will provide tangible examples of how the young women can transfer their special attributes as athletes into their future roles in business and other areas of leadership in our society.
“The Stilettos have proven to be a source of encouragement, strength, and inspiration for our young women,” Coach Coale said. “As our program continues to evolve and excel, so must our support systems. Thus, the Sooner Stilettos are poised for record numbers of involvement and a depth of impact unparalleled.” Undoubtedly, the 2011 Sports and Cohorts event on April 20 will increase the impact that the Sooner Stilettos are having on the University of Oklahoma and its female student-athletes.
Click here to join the Sooner Stilettos. To receive more information, please call (405) 325-8322.
