YOUNGSTOWN WNBA's Darling to help reopen renovated gym

The Rockers player will sign autographs at the event.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Cleveland Rockers guard Helen Darling will cut the ribbon to open the newly-renovated Jewish Community Center gymnasium.
The event will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at the center, 505 Gypsy Lane, said Amy Fibus-Hendricks and Judd Rubin, co-chairs of the center's sports and fitness committee.
Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, Darling will kick off the JCC's Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA basketball program for kids in grades K-6, and sign autographs on WNBA merchandise to be provided.
The ceremony will highlight a day-long open house beginning at 9:30 a.m. featuring a free sampling of winter classes. The free classes, which include activities such as spinning, Bosu, Tai Chi, Yoga, Karate, swimming, bingo, music, team sports and crafts for adults and children of all ages, are open to non-members as well as members of the center.
Player's background
Darling played at Penn State and began her professional career as a Rocker in the spring of 2000. In her final season at Penn State, Darling was the recipient of the 2000 Naismith Award for small player of the year, and was the first player in school history to earn recognition as Big Ten Player of the Year.
Darling scored a career-high 18 points July 8 at Houston. She posted career highs of eight assists, four steals and five rebounds June 5 at Los Angeles.
She began playing basketball in the sixth grade and was a member of the USA World University Team in 1999. Darling, who earned her degree in education in December 2001 from Penn State, sat out the 2002 season following the delivery of triplets (two boys and a girl) on April 13.
Improvements
According to Fibus-Hendricks and Rubin, the JCC gymnasium renovation has both improved its aesthetics and has enhanced the level of safety of the facility to the highest possible standards of today's gyms.
The original ceiling was removed and replaced with new lights and ceiling fans, the walls and the ceiling have been painted, a new floor and wall mats were added and the bleachers have been refurbished.
The Jewish Community Center, which is open to anyone regardless of race, color, religion or national origin, is a social service agency designed to meet the educational, health and social needs of the entire community.
To register children for the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA basketball season, or for additional information about the JCC open house, contact program director Betzy Weinblatt McVey at (330) 746-3251, ext. 136.