Fans packed VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena for the Waves’ historic inaugural game. The debut highlights the growing popularity of women’s athletics nationwide. <\/p>\n
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Jacksonville officially welcomed professional women\u2019s basketball Friday night as the Jacksonville Waves tipped off their inaugural home opener against the Charlotte Crown in front of a sold-out crowd at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.<\/p>\n
Fans packed the downtown arena for the opening night of the new Upshot League franchise, creating an electric atmosphere as the city celebrated a historic moment in Jacksonville sports.<\/p>\n
From youth basketball teams traveling in from out of town to longtime local sports fans eager to support the new franchise, excitement filled the arena hours before tipoff.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is lit. Duval is Duval. We gonna show up. We gonna show out,\u201d fan Brian Whipple said.<\/p>\n
The Waves\u2019 debut drew support from fans across the region, including Trinity Elite, a girls travel basketball team from Gainesville.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m ready to see them ball out,\u201d one Trinity Elite player said before the game.<\/p>\n
Fans said the addition of a professional women\u2019s basketball team is an important step for the city and for women\u2019s sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cWatching a women\u2019s basketball league come here, that\u2019s something that\u2019s great for the city and great for the community,\u201d fan William Lyle said.<\/p>\n
The inaugural game also highlighted the growing popularity and visibility of women\u2019s athletics nationwide.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe dominance of women\u2019s sports has always been in the shadow, and just to bring it to light in a city like Jacksonville is really going to be the step up to us getting bigger and better teams in town,\u201d fan Andi Dann said.<\/p>\n
Sisters Shealena Stewart and Jeanne Buckholtz said the team brings new energy and opportunity to Jacksonville\u2019s sports scene.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course we\u2019re used to having the Jacksonville Jaguars, but it\u2019s time for the Waves,\u201d Stewart said. \u201cIt\u2019s good for the city.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m loving the atmosphere,\u201d Buckholtz added. \u201cJacksonville Waves \u2014 come on, we have this here in Jacksonville.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even furry fans joined the celebration, with one fan bringing a dog dressed for the occasion.<\/p>\n
As the Waves took the court for the first time, many fans said they hope the team\u2019s debut is only the beginning of a long future for professional women\u2019s basketball on the First Coast.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really excited,\u201d Whipple said. \u201cBeing able to have some type of professional basketball team in the city, bringing the attention and bringing the excitement \u2014 I\u2019m all for it.\u201d<\/p>\n