From High School Basketball Star to 'Senior Lion Fan': Legislator Hsu Hsin-ying Joins Hsinchu Lioneers Training Session to Cheer on the Team

The Hsinchu Lioneers professional basketball team recently launched their second-phase preseason training, and a special guest—both a fellow basketball enthusiast and a longtime supporter—made a surprise appearance at the practice court.

Legislator Hsu Hsin-ying showed up not only as a passionate fan but also as a former player who once competed on the court herself. She came to cheer on the entire coaching staff and team members, even taking a few shots herself, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.

"Seeing how tall and skilled everyone is, I was actually more nervous walking in here than when I’m questioning officials in the legislature!" Hsu joked with a smile. Little known to many, Hsu—often recognized as an academic and STEM-oriented woman—was once a member of the basketball team at Taipei Municipal Zhongshan Girls High School, where she helped win the Taipei City Senior High School Women’s Basketball League championship. When talking about basketball, her eyes light up with unmistakable passion and resonance.

"Back then, our playing style might have looked like mere showmanship to professional athletes, but the love for basketball and the fighting spirit we had were exactly the same as yours," said Hsu. She revealed that she has always been a loyal Lioneers fan, regularly attending games to support the team. "Every time I watch you all fight hard on the court without giving up, I’m deeply moved."

Hsu emphasized that since its founding, the Lioneers have become more than just a basketball team—they’ve evolved into a core force uniting emotions and shared memories for the city of Hsinchu. Known as a "technology city," Hsinchu sees countless locals and tech professionals head to the stadium after work or on weekends to cheer for the Lioneers, making it an essential source of spiritual nourishment.

To help energize the players during their intense preseason training, Hsu personally brought coffee and Beipu Lei Cha egg rolls—a local specialty—and handed them directly to the foreign head coach and players, wishing the team continuous improvement, growing strength, and good health in the new season.

Hsu stressed that no matter whether she was a player in the past, a public representative today, or whatever role she may take in the future, she will always remain the Lioneers’ strongest supporter and loudest cheerleader. As a sports enthusiast, Hsu also shared a concrete vision for sports development: through the three pillars of "sports entertainment," "sports industrialization," and "sports branding," she aims to integrate sports into everyday life. Leveraging the Lioneers’ game-day appeal and the enthusiasm of Hsinchu residents, combined with the region’s strengths in technology and healthcare, she envisions using the team as a real-world platform to advance scientific training, athlete protection, and smart wearable applications—ultimately driving a complete sports industry chain. Finally, by strengthening urban identity through the Lioneers and promoting a multi-functional performance center, she hopes to host major sporting and cultural events locally, building a proud city brand for the people of Hsinchu County.