Skyrider Profile: Vicki Thomas
By: Kelly Gramlich
When NBA Commissioner David Stern announced on February 8, 2005 that Chicago was getting a WNBA team, no one was more excited than Vicki Thomas.
“When I heard Chicago was getting a WNBA team, I was excited beyond description,” Vicki remembered. “The first day they were taking deposits for season tickets, I was dialing in on both phones at my desk at work because I was so excited.”
Vicki has been a Skyrider for all ten years of the team’s existence. Skyriders are valuable members of the organization, as they provide unconditional support by attending home games as well as other team events.
When asked about her favorite memory as a Skyrider, Vicki struggled to pick just one because so many came to mind.
“One of the best memories was making the WNBA Finals last year,” Vicki said.
However, she claims it’s a toss up between the Sky’s Finals appearance in 2014 and the first ever Sky game on May 20, 2006, when she finally got to witness a WNBA team that represented Chicago take the court for the first time.
Vicki also loves that her hometown team has a hometown player on its roster.
“My favorite player is Allie Quigley because she’s a local girl and she’s that scrappy kind of player that comes in and gets the job done,” Vicki said. “[Quigley] is not going to be that superstar player but if we had a team full of players like her, I think we would still be right there at the top.”
One aspect of being a Skyrider that Vicki emphasized was the camaraderie she feels with the organization and with other Skyriders.
“I like meeting different Skyriders from all over the Chicagoland area that all have different backgrounds as well as meeting the team and the players,” Vicki said.
Finally, when asked why one should become a Skyrider, Vicki wasted no time with her answer.
“You’re made to feel like part of the organization, so why wouldn’t you want to be a Skyrider?”
Skyrider Profile: Rhonda Burass
By: Megan Tews
Rhonda Burrass has been a Skyrider for ten years, but she has been a fan of the WNBA for even longer. Rhonda loves sports. She played high school basketball, coached basketball, and is now a physical education teacher for kindergarten through fourth grade. Before Chicago was awarded a WNBA franchise, Indiana already had an established team. Rhonda and her father purchased flex ticket packages for the Fever and would spend the summer traveling to Indianapolis for games.
“We always said that when Chicago got a team, we were going to be season ticket members. We love Chicago. This is something that we wanted to be a part of and something for my dad and I to do together,” Rhonda said. And that’s just what they did.
Rhonda and her father attend almost every Sky home game, only missing out while on vacation. She even keeps her eye on the Sky by watching broadcasts of the away games. During her time as a Skyrider, Rhonda has experienced several great moments, but her favorite was when Chicago made it to the playoffs for the first time.
In addition to attending games, Rhonda loves going to season ticket member event for the opportunity to meet Pokey Chatman and the players. She recalled one event in particular at which she took a picture of her son with Chatman.
“Pokey Chatman is phenomenal. She is so personable and treats people like they are her family,” Rhonda said of the Head Coach.
Furthermore, Rhonda is very fond of several Sky players, but she named Tamera Young as her favorite. Rhonda is such a big Young fan that she chose to represent her during her school’s Black History Month Parade.
“She is one of the hardest workers. On the court and off the court she is a leader. We just love her.”
Rhonda is very excited for the rest of the 2015 season. She has faith that the Chicago Sky can bring home a Championship for our town.
“I will be behind them every step of the way!”
Skyrider Profile: Shelia Blockson
By: Megan Tews
“I like basketball, and when I heard there was actually going to be a female team for Chicago I was all for it,” Sheila Blockson recalls of Chicago receiving a WNBA franchise.
Sheila has been with the Sky since the very beginning. In the first few seasons of the team’s existence, she remembers attending almost all of the home games. The last few seasons, however, she has not had the opportunity to be present as much. This is understandable considering the busy life that Sheila leads.
Sheila is a real estate broker that specializes in foreclosed properties. She is also passionately pro-women, which explains her excitement of having a WNBA team. Sheila is the founder of a not-for-profit women’s organization called Women Restoring Our Community. The purpose of the organization is to help women, specifically veterans, find housing.
“There needed to be someone that helped veteran women because they stand on the front lines just like the men do, and they need to be assisted in the same aspect,” Sheila said when asked about starting her organization. Despite her work keeping her busy, Sheila plans to attend more games this season.
There are many things Sheila loves about being a Skyrider, one of which is the opportunities she has to meet people. In fact, her favorite memory of a Sky game was one at which she and her granddaughter were seated near DePaul Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Doug Bruno. Shelia explained that her granddaughter wanted so badly to attend Bruno’s girls basketball camp, and he promised her a spot. Sheila is grateful for this opportunity because it left her granddaughter inspired.
This season, Shelia has confidence that the Sky can bring a WNBA Championship to Chicago. She names Elena Delle Donne, Tamera Young, and Courtney Vandersloot as three great players who can lead the way. Her all-time favorite Sky player, however, is no longer a member of the roster. Jia Perkins began playing for the San Antonio Stars in the 2011 season. Nevertheless, Sheila was a huge fan.
“She was short, she was fast and she was a hustler. I love Jia Perkins!” Sheila said of her favorite player.
When asked about being a Skyrider, Sheila only had good things to say. She explained she was honored to receive the ten year Skyrider membership plaque.
“It made me know they appreciate my membership and see me as a person who cares and is supportive of the WNBA and the Chicago Sky.”
Shelia has already attended two games this season and hopes to attend many more.