Sue Bird was just seen giving a speech to kids a week ago and now she is in the news again. This time, she is being honored as the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Role Model of the Year. She was given the award on Wednesday at the Middlesex County, Connecticut Chamber breakfast. During the event, hundreds of students and local business leaders came to see her get the award and they all had some great things to say about the Seattle Storm player.

Since Bird was a member of the UConn Women’s basketball team, she is still hailed as a local hero, even if she does play across the country now. After leading the team to two National Championships and three Big East Championships while playing for UConn, it’s no wonder that local kids look up to her and really aspire to emulate the athlete in their own sports and activities. It’s not just Bird’s physical skills, however, that make her such a popular public figure. It is her positive, can-do attitude and confidence that really get people inspired.

Larry McHugh, president of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, says that Bird elevates every single sports team that she associates herself with, leaving it even better than it was when she leaves. He says that she exhibits those very same qualities in every community she lives in as well, making her not only a model athlete but also citizen. He went on to explain, “She serves as a model for all young people on achievement on and off the court which is why we are honored to present Sue with the 2016 Role Model of the Year Award.”

Bird even sounded inspiring as she received the award, saying how humble she was to be in the company of the past recipients of the award, who range from army ranges to NBA stars to CEOs and coaches, and how honored she was. She also mentioned that growing up, she did not have any female athletes to look up to and that she is thankful that she has the opportunity to do that for young women across the country in her own position as a pro athlete.

It is always wonderful to see the women of the Storm be honored in their local communities for their character and leadership just as it is to see them cheered on the court.

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