WNBA star Tamika Catchings now has another platform, twitter

Professional athletes have enough trouble having a private life in such a public world. With the growing popularity of social media like twitter, these stars are urged by fans, teams and their agents to be on these new streams of media.

Tamika Catchings has made a big impact both on and off the court. And she's now bringing it to twitter. (Photo courtesy: Zac Ellis, Daily Beacon).

There’s no better role model in sports than Tamika Catchings. She plays with heart, integrity and with faith. And every time, it’s at 100%–whether in practice, shoot-around, or a game.

After contemplating for a while, the face of the WNBA, Tamika Catchings has finally joined twitter.

It was fun helping her get started. Although reluctant at first, she is anxious for possibilities.

There are so many good things about twitter like interacting with fans, sharing your story and giving back. Tamika is such a positive influence on the team, in the league and around the community that her addition on twitter will be impactful.

A 10-year veteran in the WNBA, Catchings is a winner and has won at every level including two Olympic gold medals.

In the spring of 2004, she began the Catch the Stars Foundation. She holds an annual event to honor kids that have potential and are working hard towards a better tomorrow. I have been to the event the last few years and the smiles on thee kids’ faces are priceless.

According to her website, “The Catch the Stars Foundation provides these youth with organized programs geared toward motivating them to set goals, dream bigger and achieve more. The foundation is preparing our youth to catch their dreams one star at a time.”

Catchings has about every record with the Indiana Fever, the only WNBA team she has ever played for.

Although yet to win the MVP award, Catchings has been named the defensive player of the year four times and consistently has the most All-Star votes in the league.

I have been fortunate to work with Tamika for each of her ten seasons with the Indiana Fever and it has been a blessing.

Understandably, athletes like her are nervous trying something new out because they do enjoy their privacy. There’s also the obvious worry about tweeting something on accident or that you regret.

Ultimately, the positives completely outweigh the negatives as its pretty cool to have an elite athlete with great character on twitter sharing her life and perspective.

In a day where kids are so easily influence by a number of avenues, having another great role model on twitter will help.

If she tweets half as hard and as well as she plays, having Tamika Catchings will be a huge victory.

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