Breanna Stewart, the Sun and Storm made this 12-year-old’s first WNBA game so special
What an awesome day for a young fan.
Two weeks ago, Caroline Hartley, a 12-year-old fan in Maine got her first-ever WNBA tickets for her birthday, and she was completely overwhelmed. Her mom filmed the moment that went viral on Twitter as Caroline broke into tears knowing that she’d be seeing the Connecticut Sun play the Seattle Storm at Mohegan Sun Arena — A matchup between her favorite team, the Sun, and her favorite player, Breanna Stewart.
Hey @WNBA-you have a huge fan in Maine. Check out our daughter’s reaction to WNBA tix for her 12th birthday. 7/20 game @ConnecticutSun vs @seattlestorm. Her first WNBA game. pic.twitter.com/WjgWEdhZm5
— Maribeth Hartley (@mbhart2) July 9, 2018
On Friday night, Caroline went to the game, and both team’s stars made sure she had the most amazing time.
Her favorite player, superstar Stewart of the Storm, met her before the game and gave her a t-shirt:
TFW you go to your first @WNBA game and meet your favorite player pic.twitter.com/f4VP6VtleW
— espnW (@espnW) July 21, 2018
Then after the game, Stewart signed a pair of shoes for her:
.@breannastewart made sure Caroline Hartley left her first WNBA game with something extra special pic.twitter.com/F8AuVURzX7
— espnW (@espnW) July 21, 2018
Caroline got shots up with Jewell Loyd before the game:
Caroline Hartley from Scarborough, Maine gets some shots up with @seattlestorm all-star Jewell Loyd before @ConnecticutSun game pic.twitter.com/M4PN3Tldyh
— Jim Fuller (@NHRJimFuller) July 20, 2018
The Sun gave her a Happy Birthday shoutout video on the big screen:
Remember Caroline from the surprise birthday ticket video? THIS is why the @WNBA matters. @ConnecticutSun and @seattlestorm went above and beyond for her. We will be speaking with her during halftime! pic.twitter.com/I7uduvP3zx
— High Post Hoops (@HighPostHoops) July 20, 2018
And the Sun gave her a customized jersey signed by the team:
This is what it’s all about. Hope you had a great time Caroline!!! pic.twitter.com/QmkgIZzZcq
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) July 21, 2018
“She represents everything that we play for, everything that we stand for, everything that’s special about our game,” Sun All-Star Chiney Ogwumike said, according to ESPN’s Matt Eisenberg. “Her enthusiasm was amazing. I think she had the time of the life.”
It’s safe to say this is a birthday Caroline will remember, and the WNBA turned a huge fan into a lifetime one.
Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. What an amazing experience. #wnbafansforlife #bestleague #bestdayever pic.twitter.com/3g6N4LQERn
— Maribeth Hartley (@mbhart2) July 21, 2018