University of Connecticut Athletics
Lifelong WBB Fan Finds Sanctuary in Basketball
3/28/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
By Alyssa Cantisani
STORRS, Conn. - Almost a year ago, Jaime Cowie of Cromwell, Conn., was diagnosed with invasive stage-two breast cancer and this past year has been awfully trying for her and her family. However, with more than five surgeries, four hospitalizations and two near death experiences, Cowie is still cheering on the Huskies, no matter what.
Cowie grew up listening to the women's games on the radio, when the wind was blowing just right, and getting to the game as a child was close to impossible. Today, if UConn is on the television, you don't bother her.
In 1990, with her middle school basketball team, Cowie was able to make her way to watch the women play and that game is where it all started.
28 years ago, that tiny middle schooler walked up to six-foot tall Kerry Bascom asking for an autograph after a game.
"After that night, stupid middle school me said, `you know what I'm going to write a letter,'" said Cowie. "They are rock stars, you don't expect them to read it let alone get a response. I got two."
Fast forward to December 19, 2017 and middle school Jaime would've fallen over. After not feeling well for the entirety of the game because of cancer treatments earlier in the week, Cowie was virtually the last one out of the Mohegan Sun Arena and as she was walking out there was something inside of her that said, "turn around."
There she was, Kerry Bascom. It was fate.
"It took me about five minute to stop stuttering over myself to say something to her," said Cowie.
The inner conflict of whether or not to speak was eating her alive and then, in a voice ten octaves too high, the words finally came out.
Cowie explained to Bascom how much she looked up to her and all that her and the class of `91 had done for UConn women's basketball. As Cowie turned around and Bascom saw her name on the back of Cowie's sweatshirt, she squealed. The rest is history.
On December 19, a beautiful friendship was formed.
"It's been a very uplifting experience since then," said Cowie. "Unfortunately, after being diagnosed last year it has been nothing but complications one after another but Kerry's messages to me every day have been to keep fighting and I know that if I don't she's going to kick me in the butt."
The combination of this new friendship along with the support from UConn Athletics has been a turning point in Cowie's life, especially in helping her get through this past year.
"In all honesty, I didn't grow up in the best of circumstances," said Cowie. "Sports was sort of my saving grace back then and it is my saving grace now. When I go to a game, it's a couple of hours of not being sick that I just get to watch UConn play."
Sports have the power, if given the opportunity, to help people escape. Escape from the hardships of life and bring them to a place where nothing except the court, the field or the ice matters. For a few hours, everything is out of sight, out of mind. The UConn women's basketball team gives Cowie the opportunity to be just a fan, even if it feels like it's just for a moment.
All of #UConnNation stands behind you, Jaime.
