SALT LAKE CITY – It’s not enough for Utah women’s basketball to be good on the court, they are now looking to be good in the community too by helping others.

Recently, head coach Lynne Roberts and the Utes have started a community initiative “Beyond the Paint” in an effort to shine light on areas of need in the Salt Lake community.

Not only has the cause begun to spread joy to those in need, but it’s helped the team find joy in service as Gianna Kneepkens and Dasia Young talked about in reference to Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Roberts is very passionate about the program due to the fact it gets her team out of their shells, it recognizes an area of need in a community she’s grown to love, and it gives the fans an opportunity to join in as well.

Women’s Basketball presents: Utah First Lady Abby Cox’s Show Up for Special Olympics Unified Sports

To learn more about upcoming events like Spread the Word Inclusion week follow @ShowUpUtah pic.twitter.com/JLzhmwm4ty

— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) January 25, 2023

Women’s Basketball Hooping To Help Others

Two weeks ago “Beyond the Paint” recognized the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge program with the team spending some of their off time before hosting the Arizona schools playing bingo with the residents.

The Utes then invited the residents of the lodge to come watch them play while picking an honorary coach for the game. Roberts pledged to donate $100 for every three-point shot made by Utah during the games to donate to the cause with the P.A. making regular announcements to the crowd to join in using a URL code. Utah raised $1,400 for the Hope Lodge that week.

Your Utes made 7 3-pointer’s against the Wildcats, giving American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, Salt Lake City a total of $1,400 donated by @UtesCoachRob

To donate, scan the QR code. Send it to a friend! Let’s strengthen this community together 🙌 pic.twitter.com/OpcoTiq5iw

— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) January 16, 2023

This week the Utes are playing host to the SoCal schools on Friday and Sunday and their “Beyond the Paint” initiative is focused on First Lady Abby Cox’s “Show Up Utah” campaign with a particular focus on the Special Olympics. Abby Cox will serve as honorary captain and Roberts will once again be donating $100 for every three-point shot her team makes.

“Last week we did a field trip out and did some things with some kids and it was great,” Roberts said. “[Abby] is going to be our honorary coach on Friday so she will be sitting on the bench. I’m sure the Governer will be here too, he comes to games. We’re just trying to shed some light on that and raise some money and awareness.”

Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports

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