The Hadley Baker way

DE PERE – “The game of basketball gives players an opportunity to learn life lessons that will prepare them for the future — discipline, drive, dedication, teamwork, courage, perseverance and the will to fight, to never quit and to never give up. There are those players who are satisfied with being average, but there are also those who approach each day the Redbird way — with courage, with perseverance and a will to fight.”

These remarks, shared ahead of the Redbirds Jan. 7 game against Manitowoc Lincoln, could have applied to any of the girls on the court that night, but especially to Hadley Baker, a De Pere seventh grader who has truly demonstrated what it means to approach each day the Redbird way, both on and off the court.

Hadley was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer, in July of 2023 and has been battling cancer ever since, undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and clinical trials.

But Hadley hasn’t let the weight of her battle keep her down.

“Hadley is one of the strongest people I’ve ever met in my entire life,” said Hadley’s mom, Lauren Baker. “And she goes through this with a smile on her face. It’s been hard. She’s been through weeks and weeks of chemo and radiation. We’ve been into a couple of different places for trials. She’s been denied a couple different places because her tumor is too big. It’s been a ride, but she’s smiled through it all.”

In recognition of her strength and positive attitude despite the challenges she faces as well as her dedication to basketball, Hadley was surprised with a varsity letter before the start of Tuesday night’s game.

“Hadley Baker is the definition of what it means to be a Redbird and has shown all of us what it takes to live the Redbird way,” an announcement to the crowd read as they rose to give Hadley a standing ovation. “Hadley has taught all of us what it means to be strong, to have courage and to face each day with optimism and an award-winning smile. Hadley is a part of our Redbird basketball family and tonight we would like to award Hadley a varsity letter. Hadley has earned her letter by being a teammate we can count on and we aspire to be like. There is the Redbird way, and there is the Hadley Baker way. Congratulations Hadley, you’ve earned this.”

Throughout her battle, Hadley has held onto her passion for basketball, often attending games and joining the De Pere girls’ team on the bench when she is able.

“She’s played basketball since third grade. It’s a huge part of her life,” Lauren said. “I think it gives her not so much hope, but excitement and joy. Basketball is such a huge part of her life and to have all these teams supporting her… It’s amazing. The [UW-Green Bay] women’s team has been great for her this year and De Pere, both the girls’ and boys’ teams have been fantastic.”

Even the Manitowoc Lincoln team showed their support for Hadley, joining in on a photo with her and her letter.

“They treat her like one of their teammates,” Lauren said about the Redbirds. “They love her and she loves them and it’s just amazing… And to see what it does to Hadley, it’s crazy. Like when Egan dropped off her jersey today, she just came in with the biggest smile on her face.”

And the connection they share with Hadley is special for the girls on the team, too.

“Tonight was very special, especially for me because I’ve been able to get really close with Hadley,” said De Pere Senior Egan Bierowski. “Seeing her be able to get the varsity letter was just incredible… We don’t really know what her high school is going to look like, so to be able to be a part of that was really special… I was sad, but I was also very happy that we were able to do this.”

With Hadley’s future uncertain as her cancer continues to progress and her treatment options become more limited, the Redbird community has set to work ensuring Hadley gets to experience all that she can — attending the homecoming dance this fall, being recognized on senior night earlier this season and now being awarded a varsity letter.

And in true Redbird spirit, Hadley hasn’t given up her fight as she prepares to head to Miami this weekend for a clinical trial.

Updates on Hadley’s battle can be found on the Hope for Hadley Facebook page.