Back-to-School in Style: Natasha Howard Treats Students to Sneaker Shopping Spree at Academy Sports + Outdoors
Natasha Howard, three-time WNBA champion and respected veteran forward, spent an unforgettable afternoon with fifteen local students at Academy Sports + Outdoors, turning an ordinary back-to-school errand into something magical. With the start of the school year just around the corner, Howard partnered with the retailer to treat the kids to a shopping spree that wasn’t just about sneakers and clothes—it was about confidence, connection, and walking into the new academic season feeling ready, inside and out.
From the moment Natasha stepped through the doors of the store, she brought a presence that filled the space with warmth and excitement. Dressed casually in joggers and her own well-worn kicks, she greeted each student with a smile, a fist bump, or a gentle shoulder squeeze. Many of the students were initially shy, clearly starstruck to be sharing space with a professional athlete. But Natasha’s energy quickly eased their nerves. She wasn’t there just as a celebrity or a spokesperson. She was there to listen, to laugh, and to make sure each student walked away not only with a new pair of sneakers but with something that couldn’t be rung up at the register: self-belief.
The event began in the footwear section of the store, a wide open space lined with shelves of athletic shoes in every color, size, and style imaginable. The students wandered through the aisles, pointing at bright colorways and testing different soles for comfort. Some gravitated toward high-performance basketball shoes, others toward lifestyle sneakers. One student clutched a pair of crisp white trainers and said she had always wanted them but had never had the chance. Another tried on a neon-accented pair and looked down at his feet with a grin that stretched from ear to ear. Natasha moved between the kids, asking questions, offering advice, and reminding them that style starts with what makes you feel good. She told them to trust their instincts, to pick something that reflects who they are, not just what looks cool on someone else.
She shared a bit about her own love of sneakers, reminiscing about the first pair she ever bought with her own money, and how even now, a great pair of kicks helps her get in the right mindset—whether it’s for practice, a big game, or even just a day of travel. She said shoes were a form of self-expression, and for many athletes, a quiet confidence booster. Several students listened intently as she explained how she chooses her game-day footwear, not only for performance but for how it represents her personality.
After everyone had picked their shoes—some going for bold colorways, others sticking with versatile, everyday styles—they moved on to clothing and accessories. Academy’s racks were filled with options: hoodies, track pants, gym shorts, athletic tops, and backpacks. Natasha helped several of the students put together outfits, walking them through color coordination and asking them about their favorite school subjects or what extracurriculars they were excited for. One student mentioned joining the school track team this year and beamed when Natasha suggested a pair of running tights and a matching top to help her train. Another student, nervous about entering high school, asked for Natasha’s advice on how to stay confident. Her answer was simple but resonant: “Own your space. Walk in knowing you belong.”
Throughout the afternoon, it became clear that this was more than a shopping trip. It was a moment of mentorship. Natasha listened to each student, validated their thoughts, and made them feel seen. When one boy hesitated over whether he could pull off a bright red hoodie, she nodded firmly and said, “You can rock anything if you walk tall in it.” Moments like that, though small on the surface, were layered with impact. These students weren’t just trying on new clothes—they were trying on new versions of themselves, encouraged by someone who had walked a difficult path and made it to the top.
Parents and guardians who accompanied the kids watched from the sidelines with grateful expressions. For many of them, a back-to-school shopping trip like this wasn’t always financially feasible. Natasha’s involvement made it possible for their children not only to prepare materially but to experience a kind of attention and generosity that stays with you. Some parents shed quiet tears when they saw their children light up over a new backpack or twirl in a jacket they picked themselves.
At one point, Natasha gathered the group together in a quieter part of the store and asked each student to share one goal they had for the new school year. The answers varied—some said better grades, others mentioned joining new clubs, making friends, or trying a new sport. She nodded and listened to each response, then spoke about the importance of setting goals and backing them up with effort. She told them that success isn’t always about talent—it’s about showing up, working hard, and staying true to your values even when things get tough. Her words weren’t scripted or lofty; they were honest, grounded, and exactly what the moment called for.
As the shopping bags began to fill and the line at checkout grew, Natasha continued making her way around the store, laughing with students, helping them find the right sizes, and handing out high-fives. She posed for photos and signed the tongues of sneakers when asked, joking that maybe someday those shoes would be worth something. More importantly, she made every child feel important. No one was rushed. No one was left behind. Everyone had time to enjoy the experience and the sense of community it fostered.
The final moments of the event were celebratory. With purchases complete and thank-yous exchanged, Natasha and the students stood in front of the store for a group photo. Some kids held their bags over their shoulders like trophies. Others crouched in front, showing off their new sneakers. Natasha knelt beside them, smiling wide, her arms around two of the younger participants. When the camera clicked, what it captured wasn’t just a happy memory—it was a turning point. For those kids, it may very well be the moment they begin to understand the kind of power they hold just by being themselves.
As everyone departed, a few students lingered to thank Natasha again, their eyes filled with joy and the kind of excitement only a new school year—and a new pair of sneakers—can bring. One girl hugged her tightly and said, “I feel like I can really do this now.” Natasha’s reply was immediate and without hesitation: “You already could. Now you just know it.”
Afterward, Natasha reflected on the experience with humility. She said she remembered what it felt like to walk into school on the first day and worry about fitting in. She knew how something as simple as a clean pair of shoes or a backpack you picked yourself could boost your confidence and make the day feel less scary. She spoke about wanting to create moments like this more often, to connect with young people beyond the court and remind them that they matter.
She believes in leading by example—not just through wins and championships, but through showing up, being present, and using her platform to lift others. That afternoon at Academy Sports + Outdoors was a perfect expression of that philosophy. The impact didn’t end when the shopping bags were packed. It continued in every step those students would take in their new shoes, every hallway they would walk down on the first day of school, feeling just a little taller, a little stronger, and a little more ready to meet whatever comes next.
Natasha Howard didn’t just go shopping with a group of kids. She gave them something intangible and lasting. She gave them a sense of pride, of joy, of possibility. She gave them a reason to believe that they deserve to walk boldly into their futures—and she did it not with speeches or slogans, but with patience, presence, and a whole lot of heart. The students left the store that day with more than new gear. They left with the quiet but powerful knowledge that they had an ally, a role model, and a reminder that someone believed in them long before they learned to believe in themselves.
