Todd Barin

Web Editorial Associate

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The WNBA Champion Lynx hosted a celebration parade for their fans on Friday and it was done in Minnesota-esque fashion.

Despite the 33-degree wind-chill, Lynx supporters filled nearly a half-mile of blocked off streets in downtown Minneapolis. The candy-cluttered pavement was soon smashed by a combination of convertibles, a dance line and of Lynx staff members.

With pompoms in the air and helicopters overhead, the players and coaches waved in appreciation to the thousands of fans lining the streets and skyways.

“We talked about how this city embraced us in 2011 and 2013, but now it’s different,” Seimone Augustus said. “We are starting to inspire young women and open people’s minds to women in sports, not just basketball. People are starting to gain that trust and respect that you need in order for women’s leagues, soccer leagues, basketball leagues, whatever it is to be successful.”

After enjoying the parade in the frigid weather, players and fans gathered in the Target Center to continue the celebration.

“This is such a great environment. They are such nice people that you just love to see them win,” commented lifetime fan Rosa Jones alongside her daughter Raelynne. “I know there a lot of people who don’t like to use the ‘dynasty’ word, but Jiminy Crickets, if three championships in five years isn’t that, than I don’t know what is.”

Once all of the players were introduced and took the stage, Governor Mark Dayton declared Oct. 16th Minnesota Lynx Day in Minnesota.

“You all make Minnesota so proud. All of your individual talent and the way you have come together as a team… You’re the best of Minnesota.”

Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges was also in attendance and was as excited as every fan in the building.

“I know I speak on behalf of the city and council members when I say, you make us more awesome than we already were.”

The rest of the ceremony was left for the players and coaches to reminisce on an amazing season.

“It all starts with our core and the leadership we get from Lindsay, Seimone, Maya and Rebekkah,” coach Cheryl Reeves emphasized. “And through a really rough season, through injuries, despite them not being on the court the entire time, their leadership was unbelievable. They all had a belief in this team.”

Lindsay was her usual sarcastic self and joked that winning the championship made for a fun Wednesday. Whalen then got serious and said that the game was unbelievable.

“The place was packed. The fans picked us up every time we needed energy and it was a really great day,” Whalen said.

All-Star Game MVP Maya Moore then took to the microphone and talked about the emotion in the arena during the winner-take-all championship game.

“Game 5 here was a once in a lifetime opportunity. This arena had never seen what it saw on Wednesday,” Moore said. “You guys are phenomenal! It was awesome.”

The last player to talk was certainly not the least important throughout the team’s playoff run. Sylvia Fowles discussed the importance of not peaking too early in the season in order to make a run at the championship.

“We didn’t hit our stride in August, we were only on the rise,” Finals MVP Fowles said. “Every game we got better and better and got more comfortable with each other.

From the ‘Whose house? Our house’ chants filling the streets of downtown, to the emotional championship video shown at the end of the ceremony, the Lynx parade was nothing short of spectacular… just like their season.