Duke Basketball Game: A Moment of Unity and Sportsmanship
SACRAMENTO, CA – The energy surrounding women’s sports is fueled by a uniquely supportive community, and that spirit was on full display before the NCAA Women’s Tournament Elite Eight matchup between UCLA and Duke at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Ernestine Balisi, a seasoned singer who has performed the national anthem since 2016, experienced an unexpected challenge during her performance on Sunday.
From the outset, Balisi encountered audio malfunctions. While she could hear herself singing on the floor, her voice wasn’t reaching the audience through the arena’s speaker system. What followed was a powerful demonstration of American patriotism and community spirit.
A Crowd-Sourced Anthem
Recognizing the situation, the attendees at the Golden 1 Center spontaneously joined in, filling the arena with their voices and effectively overcoming the audio issues. They sang along with Balisi, creating a truly inspiring moment.
“I loved it when the fans sang with me,” Balisi shared with USA TODAY Sports. “That was truly inspiring. And honestly, I’m glad that everyone knows the words, because, you know that’s what happens. But it’s just great whenever people sing along with me.”
Balisi admitted to experiencing mixed emotions, initially questioning whether to stop. However, the enthusiastic response from the crowd motivated her to continue. “Once I started hearing people sing with me, I was like, well, gotta keep going and go make the show go on… I know that the fans are not here for me, so, that’s why it’s like, just get the song done.”
Thankfully, a microphone with a wire was quickly provided, allowing Balisi to complete her performance.
A Familiar Feeling
This wasn’t the first time Balisi has experienced such a heartwarming response. She regularly performs at the SAP Center before San Jose Sharks games, where fans often sing along, particularly during the Canadian national anthem. A similar moment occurred during a Sacramento Republic game.
“That’s why I was just like, we’re going to keep going,” Balisi explained. “They’re at least the same key and the same tempo, you know? I’ll take that. They heard my pitch. Let’s go… They were great.” She expressed gratitude that the crowd didn’t react negatively, instead offering support and encouragement.
The Power of Community in Women’s Sports
Sacramento native Raya Hazini, a former college singer, instinctively joined in, prompting her section to sing along. Los Angeles resident Nate Rubin, sporting UCLA gear, expressed pride in the moment, highlighting the unity displayed in a divided country. Clifford Winston also joined the chorus, describing the experience as “flat-out awesome.”
Hazini connected the moment to the broader spirit of women’s sports, noting the strong community that exists and the tendency to uplift one another. “The game is win or loss, but everybody here is just a community. So we raise people up. And I thought that’s what Sac is about. Sactown is about community.”
She added, “Women’s sports has been on the margins forever and since Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers and all the greats (emerged), you know, the community, women’s sports community, is very strong, and we’re always raising people up. We’re not trying to marginalize because we are marginalized already. We’re going to keep going and we raise up. And you saw it today.”
This incident at the Duke basketball game serves as a powerful reminder of the unifying force of sports and the incredible support within the women’s sports community. It’s a testament to the fact that sometimes, the most memorable moments aren’t about flawless performances, but about the collective spirit of those in attendance.
