Sooner Stilettos Launch New Mentoring Program

Oklahoma women's basketball's night of bowling with its support group, Sooner Stilettos, is always one of the team's favorite events of the year. But this season, the night of strikes, spares and gutter balls served a dual-purpose as Sooner Stilettos unveiled a new mentoring program with the team.

Since its inception, Sooner Stilettos has been a pivotal support group that impacts the lives of OU women's basketball players. Now, the group has found a new way to empower OU's players with brand-new mentoring program called “In Her Shoes” and “In Her Court”.

A brainchild of OU women's basketball head coach Sherri Coale, Sooner Stilettos started in November 2003 as a way to involve female community and business leaders with her team. The group's mission was sparked from Coale's desire to have successful women surrounding her program.

As time has passed, the group has evolved to find new ways to interact with OU's players.

Coale and new Stiletto President Lindy Ritz worked tirelessly throughout the summer to implement the new mentoring opportunity.

Competitive on the court and in the bowling alley.

Glad to see all of our @SoonerStiletto group for a fun night of bowling 🎳 pic.twitter.com/1rxPCUfXPa
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_WBBall) September 20, 2016

This year, at the group's annual bowling party with the team, the “In Her Court/In Her Shoes” program was officially launched as each player learned which Stiletto would serve as her personal mentor throughout this year. OU's players will also have a one-on-one mentor with a former Sooner student-athlete, who has experienced many of the same things they are going through.

“The Stiletto membership was very excited to be a part of the first-ever member/player draft where the student athletes were paired with Stiletto members and former players,” Ritz said. “The bowling party afforded both players and the Stiletto members in attendance the opportunity to come together to form the beginning of lasting relationships.”

Before the night of bowling started, OU's players learned which Stiletto would serve as their mentor for the year as they were drafted by each new mentor. Each player also learned which former player would serve as the “In Her Shoes”, someone they could count on for advice on and off the court. The list is quite impressive and includes the likes of Stacey Dales, Courtney Paris and many more.

“With 18 former OU players being matched with the current team members to be a part of 'In Her Shoes' mentoring, it's a great opportunity for them to get back to each player with valuable knowledge from their time at OU,” Ritz explained. “The remainder of the Stiletto membership will serve in the 'Front Court' and 'Back Court' capacity, providing varying degrees of mentoring, support and encouragement to each of the 15 women's basketball players. It is the intention that at the end of four years, each player will have had four 'In Your Court' mentors; four 'In Your Shoes' mentors and numerous Stilettos members who are always in your court.”

While many of OU's players have someone mentor them on the basketball court, this new initiative gives each Sooner a chance to have life mentoring with someone who's not wrapped up in the world of college basketball.

"(Sooner Stilettos) has been life changing,” Ritz said. “Coach Coale is such an inspiration and her vision of enabling her players to connect with professional women has provided an invaluable experience and has had significant impact on the players, former players and the Sooner Stilettos."
— Lindy Ritz

“Mentoring with the Stilettos gives us the opportunity to network and build relationships,” junior guard LaNesia Williams explained. “They are exemplary models for women, especially as our team plans their life for after basketball. We're excited to take advantage of this opportunity as well as following in their footsteps to success.”

For OU's freshmen, the chance to have someone from the outside take interest in their daily life is impactful. The ability to have an invaluable resource with off-the-court support also means a lot to new Sooner Nancy Mulkey.

“Having a mentor as a freshman is going to really help me. I've never had this many resources before,” freshman center Nancy Mulkey said following the event. “To have somebody that has been through what I'm going to go through the next four years is going to be helpful. They can give me insight and I will be able to hear about their experiences and struggles and how they overcame them. It's a great advantage for each of our players.”

Now it in its 13^th year, Sooner Stilettos continues to have champion the mission of OU Athletics. Give student-athletes invaluable opportunities and resources to allow them to shape their future.

But the effect is mutual. For the group of over 125 Stilettos, the ability to share advice and mentor young women is a worthy investment.

“It has been life changing,” Ritz said. “Coach Coale is such an inspiration and her vision of enabling her players to connect with professional women has provided an invaluable experience and has had significant impact on the players, former players and the Sooner Stilettos.

”We are able to play a key role as the player's transition from basketball shoes to Stilettos.”