If you have attended games at the Target Center over the past few seasons, chances are you may have run into Don Ackerman and his two daughters, Abby and Sammy. Ackerman enjoys being involved as much as possible and introducing his girls to the positive sports atmosphere that the Lynx provide.

After all, for these fans, attending Lynx games has become much more than just basketball—it’s a family event.

“Me [and my dad] have always bonded over sports,” Sammy said. “That’s where my love of sports and choice of a sports management major came from. It’s what I want to do with the rest of my life because of what [Dad] did to get me involved in sports and bringing me to basketball games all the time. That’s why I started playing basketball, as well.”

Ackerman says that the women’s team tends to get a bit overlooked in comparison to the NBA, and yet the Lynx have a dedicated—and always-growing—support group that he and his girls love being a part of. To them, the Lynx fans really create an extended family.

“The Lynx crowd really wants to be there to support [its] team,” said Sammy.

Head coach Cheryl Reeve and the Lynx players work to be a group of role models for kids—and girls especially—to look up to.

“[It’s important] to take a minute and remember kind of the bigger picture of sports and the awesome things that we can do through sports and the community of basketball,” said forward Maya Moore in an interview earlier this season.

From holding meet-and-greets to dancing on the court with fans following a win, Moore and the rest of the team continue to excel at connecting with their supporters.

While it’s often difficult to find televised WNBA games, Ackerman and his daughters attend a majority of the Lynx games in person—and it’s always well worth it. The girls have enjoyed opportunities to meet both players and Lynx staff, and Ackerman said they’ve always been met with kindness and enthusiasm.

“I’ve always wanted my daughters to see women playing basketball to show them they can do what they want when they grow up,” Ackerman said.

For this reason and many others, it’s never been difficult to cheer for the Minnesota Lynx, and he takes his commitment seriously.

Ackerman relocated to the Twin Cities in 1994, immediately becoming a Lynx fan when the team started up in 1999.  For those who know Ackerman personally, they will tell you he isn’t one to sit on the sidelines when he’s passionate about something. Early on in the team’s development, Ackerman started volunteering for the Great Basketball Dribble, an annual breast cancer fundraiser held by the team.

He enjoys being involved in whatever ways possible, whether helping with events or helping to engage others who support the team. As someone who loves both playing and watching basketball, Ackerman enjoys meeting other fans just as much as he enjoys the game.

“I love chatting with fans—home and away—about sports and life,” Ackerman said. “One of my passions is finding ways for fans to help fans, so I’ve been an active member of a couple communities to do that. I love it when people work together to help one another.”

So, if you’ve been thinking about attending a Lynx game this season, Ackerman encourages you to grab the opportunity—you won’t regret it. The 2015 season has come with its share of challenges, but Ackerman describes the current team as reloaded and hungry. The players are working hard, and they’re winning.

Come on out, join the family, and dance.

“We’ll celebrate with you,” Ackerman promises.