The forward hosts annual camps to empower young hoopers in her dad’s hometown. It started with a duffel bag of shoes.
Paulina Hernandez, a forward for Youngstown State, is making a significant impact in her father’s hometown of El Seibo, Dominican Republic. After noticing local basketball players practicing in inadequate shoes during a high school trip, Hernandez felt inspired to help.
“It kind of touched me and I was like, ‘Wow, I have such a big platform, and I feel like I can really impact them,’” Hernandez said. “I feel like God was calling me to impact the girls.”
Hernandez’s commitment to service echoes her father’s legacy. Marcos Hernandez Goicos founded Seibo al Progreso in 2009, an organization that aims to improve the social, economic, and educational conditions in El Seibo. Upon returning from her trip, Paulina began collecting gently used shoes from her Amateur Athletic Union team and classmates, ultimately bringing over 60 pairs back to the Dominican Republic.
This initiative laid the groundwork for a larger project, as Hernandez partnered with her sister, Nicole, to establish a free basketball clinic for young girls in El Seibo called Dominicanas en la Cancha—translated as Dominicans on the Court—in 2024.
At Youngstown State, Hernandez has made a name for herself as a valuable player, earning the Horizon League’s Sixth Player of the Year award in 2026, during which she led the league with 63 blocked shots.
As Dominicanas en la Cancha expanded, Hernandez invited teammates to join her efforts. Former guard Bella Samz, sophomore Brooke Adkins, and graduate Casey Santoro traveled to El Seibo to offer personalized coaching. Coach Melissa Jackson noted the growth of Hernandez’s teammates through the experience, highlighting the challenges of coaching across a language barrier.
“I have heard them come back and be like, ‘Wow, Coach, it was really challenging but so rewarding, as well,’” Jackson said.
The Youngstown State athletics community plays a key role in supporting Hernandez’s work in El Seibo. The department assists with travel for the student-athletes and helps collect used shoes for the initiative, enabling Hernandez to bring full bags of donations on her trips.
Hernandez has witnessed tangible growth in the girls she mentors. “It’s great. I still text them and ask them about their games and just keep in touch with them. And they can always come to me whenever they have questions or need anything,” she said.
Looking ahead, the Hernandez sisters plan to integrate Dominicanas en la Cancha with Seibo al Progreso, utilizing basketball and shoe donations to support their community. “It just warms my heart knowing that I can give back,” Hernandez said, “and knowing I have the platform and the people around me to help me.”
