Women?s Basketball Summer Series Edition 1: Hardiek Joins Royals KCrew
6/25/2013 1:38:00 PM | Women's Basketball
(Kansas City, Mo.) – On several occasions last summer Kansas City women's basketball's Lexis Hardiek visited Kauffman Stadium to watch the Kansas City Royals play. While in attendance, one group of people stood out on each of junior guard's visits: the KCrew.
“When I saw the girls last year, it seemed like something that I really wanted to do,” Hardiek said. “I loved the way they interacted with fans and it looked like they were having so much fun. I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”
First formed in 2007, the KCrew is a fun and energetic bunch dedicated to entertaining Royals fans young and old. From tossing t-shirts and prizes into the stands to hosting various interactive promotions around the ballpark, the KCrew is a group of true blue Royals baseball fans with a passion for the game!
“I really like baseball and the chance to work for the Royals was too good to pass up,” Hardiek said. “It's not your typical summer job, but that's what I like about it.”
Even though she wanted to join the KCrew, there were many steps along the way that led to the Hill City, Kan., native to becoming part of the team after applying, starting with a video submission for the judges.
“I couldn't make it the day of the tryouts because we had a scrimmage and basketball comes first,” Hardiek noted. “They let me submit a video though, where I went through all of the steps; interviewing a fan, answering questions in front of a camera, pumping up a crowd and singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame. It was pretty nerve racking.”
The judges obviously liked what they saw, as Hardiek became one of 18 members of the 2013 KCrew, where she now works about half of the Royals' home games this season and various events throughout the community.
“There is always something exciting happening,” Hardiek added. “I've been at events with Royals and Chiefs players and was even proposed to by a high school boy with a peanut. Unfortunately I had to decline.”
With half of the season remaining, Hardiek is eager to get the second half started and hopes to return next year for another go round.
“It is definitely something I would do again next season,” Hardiek said. “I love the girls I've met and can't wait to make more memories with them!”
