Green 3‑D Stars Shine at Dallas Soccer Bash

Visitors stepping into the south gate of the FIFA Fan Festival in Dallas were greeted by bright lime‑green statues that seemed to pop straight out of a sci‑fi set. The figures belong to the “If Then She Can – Game Changers” display, which celebrates 26 women who have pushed the boundaries of STEM in sports.

The show is part of Lyda Hills Philanthropies’ IF/THEN program and highlights 10 Dallas‑Fort Worth professionals. From sports medicine to shoe design, the women’s work changes how athletes train and how fans watch games.

Each statue was printed in 3‑D with UV‑cured acrylic, and a QR code on the base links to more details about the featured inventor or scientist. Among those honored are former Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall and Dr. Antonia Chen, a surgeon who teaches orthopedic surgery at UT Southwestern. Chen’s sculpture holds a knee‑replacement implant, hinting at her life‑saving work.

The creators say the exhibition is meant to spark curiosity:

“If a young person walks away thinking, ‘I could do that,’ then we’ve accomplished exactly what we set out to do.”
Chen added that future shows could feature hundreds of figures, reflecting the growing number of women in tech and health fields.

The event encourages people to see sports as more than just games; it’s also a laboratory for science, engineering, and innovation. By walking past the statues, festival‑goers get a quick lesson in how hidden careers shape every match.