For Christy Koepke, it’s been a difficult year - since everything has been closed because of the pandemic. But when she heard the news that she would be attending three Sherrard volleyball games in one night (April 6), she cried happy tears of joy and shock. Her heart-warming reaction is being shared across social media - bringing joy to all.
It’s been over a year since she's been in the stands cheering the players on to victory. Not only that, she hasn't been able to go to Gigi's Playhouse for in-person get-togethers either, something Linda said has been hard on Christy.
“It was hard for me not to cry telling her! I know how much it means to her to go to all these games. It’s been a long year,” said Koepke.
“She attends all the games... She’s been doing that for many years. She’s there with her scorebooks - keeping score her way... they all know her and love seeing her at the games. Because of covid she hasn’t been able to attend any of them... That’s why it was so exciting for her,” said her mom, Linda Koepke, who filmed her reaction.
Sherrard's volleyball games April 6. She faithfully
attends every sporting event at the school, before
this night, she hadn't been to a game in over a year.
She said Christy has been attending games at Sherrard for almost 20 years - since her younger sister, Sarah Koepke, began playing sports in junior high. Sarah played every sport during her career at Sherrard School District, and graduated in 2006.
Sherrard Volleyball Coach and High School special education teacher Vanessa Schulenberg remembers Christy in the stands when she was a student at Sherrard. It was partially because of her involvement at sporting events, that Schulenberg was inspired to go into special education.
“Many of the volleyball girls told me they cried when they watched her video,” said Schulenberg.
“Having Christy in the stands means a lot. It feels like things are slowly starting to return to normal. Christy is referred to as our ‘spirit coach’ and we’ve been missing her pride and excitement at games. The girls were thrilled to see her again and made sure to stop and catch up with her!” She said.
Christy graduated in 2001 from Black Hawk Area Special Education District, but her Sherrard peers wanted her to walk with them for graduation, so she walked for both. She is well-known and well-loved by all in the Sherrard community - coaches, players, and fans in the stands, alike.
“It’s just unbelievable how many people know her throughout the Quad Cities,” said Linda.
Koepke (right) pose for a photo commemorating their time back to
Sherrard School stands to cheer on the players and keep score
- something Linda said Christy has been doing for almost 20 years.
Players are given four tickets each - and it was freshman Emma Doty’s mom, Niki, who shared two of her tickets with Linda and Christy.
Linda said they’ve already scored basketball tickets for next week - and Christy is beside herself with excitement.
