Pursuing a passion for handball has led Tia Foxx, the newly appointed president of the Sun Devil Women’s Handball Club, on an unexpected journey. Despite never having played the sport before this year, Foxx discovered her enthusiasm for handball through the crossover between sports while engaging in intramural basketball.
Handball, characterized as a high-energy indoor game where teams compete to score by throwing a ball into a goal, has gained traction for its dynamic and aggressive playstyle, especially among women. “It’s fun to watch. It’s high energy, lots of action. It’s physical,” Foxx remarked, highlighting the sport’s unique appeal.
Foxx’s foray into the sport began when she met Viva Kreis, a senior majoring in mass communication and a player for the USA Women’s Indoor National Handball Team, during a basketball game. Inspired, Foxx decided to participate in a developmental handball training camp in Irvine, California, aimed at all skill levels. “I had no clue what I was doing, but still had a blast,” she said of her experience at the camp.
Upon returning to Arizona State University (ASU), Foxx was motivated to establish a handball club, believing it would enrich the university’s sports community. Utilizing LinkedIn for outreach, she sought support for her initiative. Within eight weeks of collaborative efforts, she successfully established the Sun Devil Women’s Handball Club.
The club’s formation drew interest from other students, notably Charli Brown and Izzie Ayer, both seniors studying sports business. They reached out after seeing Foxx’s LinkedIn post, and soon after, they took on key roles as vice president and team coordinator, respectively. The club also enlisted the help of ASU alum Olivier Desplanques, who has been playing handball since childhood and stepped in as the head coach following the closure of a local handball club during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In April, the club held its inaugural informational meeting and practice sessions, providing prospective members with insights into both indoor and beach handball. Bella Merkel and Isabella Soriano, both juniors studying aerospace and biomedical engineering respectively, were motivated to join after encountering a promotional post for the club on social media.
As the next semester approaches, Foxx is focused on expanding the club’s membership and intends to apply for recognition as an official sports club to gain access to additional resources. “We’re not going to be pros or anything like that. It’s just good vibes and fun,” she stated, emphasizing a commitment to promoting the sport and generating interest within the ASU community.
For more information about the Sun Devil Women’s Handball Club or to get involved, interested students may reach out through official ASU channels.
For inquiries, contact the reporter at asadlier@asu.edu and follow on X at @audreymsadlier.
Audrey Sadlier, a junior at ASU specializing in journalism and mass communication, serves as a community reporter with The State Press, continuing her engagement in student journalism.
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