Lutz kept playing college basketball while teaching

Class of 2016 Baldwin alum Carly Lutz has spent the past several months working as a full-time substitute teacher at Harrison Education Center while also playing basketball in her final year of eligibility at Point Park College.

Because of an injury and the way that Covid affected sports seasons, Lutz was able to continue playing at Point Park this past season, even though she graduated in spring of 2021. She had to miss practices because of teaching, but her team supported her. 

“The whole team was very understanding and supportive of my decision to play and work. I am very lucky to have the team and coach that I had at Point Park,” Lutz said. 

Basketball taught Lutz valuable lessons for coming back from hard times. 

“Basketball taught me resilience. Life throws a lot of curveballs, just like a basketball game. I can always handle a challenge,” Lutz said. 

Basketball has been Lutz’s way of feeling through her emotions. 

“Sports have gotten me through the toughest times of my life. Sports have also given me the happiest and saddest days of my life,” Lutz said. 

Lutz lost her best friend, who played basketball with her, to suicide. Through this tough situation, Lutz organized a Baldwin basketball game devoted to depression awareness in memory of her friend. 

“We raised money for her foundation and tried to promote education for mental health,” Lutz said. 

Without Title IX and the ability to play high school sports, Lutz would have missed some of the key experiences in her life. 

“Basketball will always be more than a sport. Basketball is a part of who I am and I can’t imagine my life without it,” Lutz said.