Swin Cash surprises McKeesport students with virtual message

McKeesport Area School District students were in for a surprise Thursday afternoon when former WNBA star and McKeesport native Swin Cash sent in a special video message for them.

The video was a part of her partnership with the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation. McKeesport Area School District’s annual six-week summer camp was one of the stops for Dick’s Sports Matter Giving Truck’s multi-city tour to help youth athletes from girls’ programs in under-resourced communities.

Cash said it was a “no brainer” for her to be a part of something involving her community when she saw Dick’s was heading to her hometown in Pittsburgh.

“I hope they were inspired by the whole experience. To me I have always said a lot of times you can provide financial support to kids but showing up and showing that you care can be just as or more than valuable for them,” she said.

In her video, Cash gave a shoutout to her hometown while praising Dick’s for encouraging young girls to play sports.

Cash, who is now the vice president of basketball operations and team development for the New Orleans Pelicans, played 15 seasons in the WNBA securing three titles. She also won two titles during time at UConn, and is a member of the WPIAL Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

Assistant schools superintendent Tia Wanzo said Cash’s success and contributions to her hometown are a reminder to students of where they can go if they work toward their dreams.

“It shows their dreams are attainable. What she can do, they can do too,” Wanzo said.

To cap off the final day of the summer camp, a closing ceremony was held at the McKeesport High School where students and families came together to dance, play games or enjoy a treat at the food trucks present.

At the end, the Sports Matter Giving Truck gave students free backpacks full of school supplies. Cash said the truck has also given 15,000 pieces of sports equipment to kids during its tour.

“I think the school district, parents and community have been rallying around the youth,” Cash said. “I was happy to to see Dick’s step up to the plate with the summer camp.”

Cash would love to partner with more companies in Pittsburgh to help continue to pour into communities outside of the city.

“I definitely feel that I want to hold that mantle and let everyone know that there can be special things done in Mon Valley,” she said.