Rockdale Citizen

Local basketball fans have a great opportunity tonight at Salem High School. The WNBA's Atlanta Dream will hold a practice at Salem from 6 to 8 p.m. as part of the team's Take The Show On The Road program.

But that's not all.

With the purchase of a $15 ticket to the event, fans will receive a lower-level ticket to an upcoming Dream game of their choice at Philips Arena. And along with practice, Dream players will participate in an autograph session, there will be a raffle for a chance to win an autographed jersey, and a WNBA replica ball, as well as other giveaways and prizes.

"Having the Atlanta Dream come to Salem High School is not only a great opportunity for our student-athletes at Salem, but it is a great opportunity for everyone of Rockdale County and surrounding counties," said Salem girls coach Rochone Dilligard.

The Dream, who through Sunday were 3-5 after a 92-73 loss to Connecticut, is in its fifth season as an expansion team. The team has been in the postseason three times, including a year ago when the Dream lost to the Minnesota Lynx, three games-to-none in the WNBA Finals. Professional women's teams like the Dream exist, in large part, because of Title IX, a landmark education amendment in 1972 that prohibited sexual discrimination in any educational program.

"This is a celebration of Title IX which changed the landscape of women's (athletics) forever," Dilligard said. "The progress that has been made has created a wonderful atmosphere for women's athletics and given many aspiring women's basketball players something to strive for in addition to their educational successes."

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Dilligard at 615-516-4647.