Women gather for inaugural St. Joe’s Ladies Basketball Tournament in Lincoln
A new basketball tournament for women has started at St. Joseph School gym in Lincoln, drawing participants from across the Diocese of Lincoln. The event, named the first annual St. Joe’s Ladies Basketball Tournament, welcomed 26 women aged from their twenties to over fifty. Players came from various parishes within the diocese and were divided into four teams: The God Squad, Queens of the Court, The Collection Baskets, and Beatitude Ballers.
Tracie Goodenberger organized the tournament and is referred to as “the commissioner” by participants. She said, “I think us women need a chance to exercise, be silly, kind of re-live our glory days.” Goodenberger described the games as more than just competition—they are also about building friendships and sharing faith.
The tournament follows several weeks of informal pick-up games that served as opportunities for ministry and community building among women in t-shirts and sneakers. Goodenberger called it a “very natural form of evangelization.”
“Every week we begin by introducing ourselves, sharing our ‘glory days’ basketball stories, and saying which parish we belong to,” Goodenberger said. “We open in prayer – giving glory to God and praying no one gets injured. It’s simple, but meaningful. Connections are formed. Women from different parishes meet. And yes, some non-Catholic friends have joined, too.”
Goodenberger moved to Lincoln after attending optometry school in Memphis where she helped start a Bible study group alongside a spikeball league with her roommate. She explained that this experience inspired her approach in Lincoln: “Honestly, that spikeball league brought our class together in such a unique way, I was inspired to do something similar here in Lincoln. It opened the door to deeper friendships and more intentional conversations about faith.”
She noted that while there are many Bible studies available locally through St. Joseph Parish—one of 134 parishes supported by six educational institutions within the Diocese of Lincoln—she wanted an activity combining exercise with community engagement.
“But as a new mom with limited time, I thought, ‘what if we created something that combined exercise, laughter, healthy competition, and community? Something that allowed women to just play,’” she said.
Katie Fischer participates on Saturdays and attends Cathedral of the Risen Christ Parish in Lincoln. A mother of six children herself, Fischer said: “After the first game I played, I just couldn’t stop smiling, thinking about it the rest of the day.” She added: “It had been a while since I’d played basketball, but the competitive juices started to flow… It was so fun just to play sports again. Women don’t usually get a chance to have a basketball league… so I’m thankful to Tracie Goodbenberger for putting the work in to make it happen.”
Goodenberger credited St. Joseph Parish for supporting both weekly games and this inaugural tournament: her husband plays men’s league games on Sundays while hers are held Saturday afternoons.
“I listened to a podcast that said, the best way to feel belonging is to contribute,” Goodenberger said. “And that is ultimately how I felt. Once I started contributing to the parish, I feel more of a sense of belonging.”
Tabitha Divis also plays regularly at St. Joseph Parish; she previously played college basketball at North Platte Community College and participated despite being nearly 30 weeks pregnant.
“I definitely feel like I’m just a little bit slower but still got some game,” Divis said.
Goodenberger praised Divis’s skills on court: “brings the competition.” Divis noted efforts are made before each game so teams remain balanced regardless of skill level or past experience.
“I would say majority of women didn’t even play in high school,” Divis added.“All levels are welcome.”
While many players compete seriously during games—sometimes including Marian Sisters playing in full habits—the focus remains on connection rather than winning alone.
“It always ends in high fives and good laughs,” Goodenberger said,“and as long as no one gets injured—that’s a successful day.”
According to its official website, the Diocese operates throughout southern Nebraska offering programs focused on faith formation such as youth activities and evangelization events like this one.
Goodenberger sees these athletic gatherings as part of her former Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) missionary training: “Sports allows us to build those relationships on such a natural level… because we grow in virtue by taking care of our bodies… working with people on team… when we learn how be little uncomfortable… break out usual Saturday routine… meet other women.”
Looking ahead beyond basketball season she hopes other sports can be introduced—including volleyball or soccer—to broaden participation among diocesan members regardless whether they attend church regularly or not.
“Maybe we can expand this multiple sports,” Tracie said.“Maybe fall we have volleyball pickup game.Or summer,girls get together play soccer.We can try different sports.And kind stretches us.”
Divis echoed desire for growth:“We’d love see grow Lincoln invite more women get other parishes involved.Even inviting women who aren’t Catholic,but could come see what love Jesus can do life.”
Relationships formed through these events may continue outside athletics according organizers’ hopes:
“I kind hope people start make these connections,and when they see them Sunday Mass or around parish,having initial‘Oh,we play basketball together,’and goes long way.Maybe lead Bible study.Maybe lead having families together dinner…”
On this occasion,the Beatitude Ballers won championship trophy;each participant received smaller trophy marking day spent together—in competition,in fellowship,and giving glory God,“one jump shot at time.”
The Diocese supports initiatives like these as part its mission nurture active followers engage members communications events support vocations family life catechesis charitable efforts across region.
