That’s why I’m a linebacker

by Jordyn White; TheRoot.com
In women’s pro football, color matters, but race does not.

I hate her. I’ve never seen her before, and don’t know her, but I don’t need to. I see what she looks like. I see what she’s wearing. I see who she’s with. That tells me everything I need to know. She can’t be trusted–her kind never can–and all she wants is to push her own agenda and obliviate mine. So, for the next hour, my sisters and I will do everything in our power to show her and her little girl gang how we feel about having to share our turf with them. They will leave here, battered and bruised, with their heads down and their tails between their legs. And we will remain superior.

My fervor for this sectarian battle into which I am all too eager to enter has nothing to do with race or skin color. When my opponent is in her war gear, all I can see on her is the white in her eyes. But her armor– helmet, pads, uniform, socks, gloves, cleats–makes her readily identifiable. I’m a linebacker on a women’s semi-professional full contact football team, the DC Divas. Eleven Saturdays a year, for 3 hours, my teammates and I put on our maroon, gold, and white, and go to war.

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Millionaire coach supports prep girls hoops team

This story is pretty awesome.

A USA Today feature profiles Coach Jim Justice who, over the past  25 years, has coached more than 1,000 games — from AAU teams to West Virginia’s Greenbrier East girls high school team, which he took over 10 years ago.

What makes the 58-year old coach different from most high school basketball coaches is the fact that for him, it’s much more than just a job. He’s a millionaire who owns coal mines, farms and the nearby Greenbrier Resort.

He’s a coach whose generosity directly benefits his players. He paid $300,000 to have a parquet floor installed in the Greenbrier East Gym. At every game, the players run through an inflatable tunnel to the court when they’re introduced, and a video screen flashes their pictures.

When two feet of snow threatened to postpone a game against Huntington Spring Valley in late December, Justice hired a contractor to plow the parking lot.

Jeff Bryant, principal at Greenbrier East, admits there might have been cynics when Justice took the job. After all, why would a wealthy businessman want to coach? And how would he have time?

“That’s so pitifully easy to explain,” Justice says. “I love the game.”

He says he thinks he makes $3,300 to coach but doesn’t  know for sure because he gives the money to his assistant coaches.”

“There’s a lot more to him than what’s in his pocket,” wrote Alexis Hornbuckle, a former Justice pupil, in an e-mail. “He has a great heart and is a very loving and forgiving man.”

Hornbuckle played on one of his AAU teams before leading South Charleston to victory vs. Greenbrier East in the 2004 championship game. She played on two NCAA championship teams at Tennessee and now is with the WNBA’s Tulsa Shock.

For those who believe that wealth transcends dollars, Justice is an example of someone who has gotten way more back from life than he’s been able to give.
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Black History Month – Honoring Female Athletes

Over the years, there have been many great black athletes. This month, to celebrate Black History Month, we’d like to honor some of the women who have contributed to the soul of sports.

Pioneers
Althea Gibson was a pioneer in both amateur tennis and professional golf. In 1942, Althea entered and won her first tennis tournament. In 1947, Althea won the first of ten straight ATA National Championships. In 1956, she won the French Championships and, in 1957, won the All-England Championships at Wimbledon and U.S. National Tennis Championships at Forest Hills. Althea retired from amateur tennis in 1958 after she had won Wimbledon. In 1964, Gibson launched her golf career, joining the LPGA. She retired in 1971.

Another pioneer, Zina Garrison, became the first black woman to reach a Grand Slam Final (1990). She began playing tennis at the age of ten and held 20 major doubles championships before the end of her career.

Tennis
Both Gibson and Garrison are sports legends who paved the way for athletes like Venus and Serena Williams. Both sisters turned professional at 14 and have since moved up in the ranks to become two of the top single and doubles players on the circuit. In 2008, Venus won Wimbledon in a match against Serena, sister against sister. Last month, Serena won the Australian Open for a record fifth time.

Track & Field
It’s inconceivable to discuss black, female athletes without mentioning Jackie Joyner Kersee, considered by many to be the greatest female athlete ever, who became the first participant to score more than 7,000 points in the heptathlon.

Gail Devers is also an inspiration, winning gold in the 100 meter dash in two consecutive Olympics as is three-time gold medal winner Valerie Brisco. And of course there’s Flo Jo (Florence Griffith Joyner) who set record after record as the World’s Fastest Woman. Following in the footsteps of these great track and field athletes are contemporary runners like Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards.

Basketball
On the basketball court it’s easy to think about Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson. But how about Lisa Leslie, Chamique Holdsclaw, Swin Cash, Cheryl Miller, Sheryl Swoopes and Candace Parker? From Final Four appearances to representing the U.S. at the Olympic Games and playing in the WNBA, these basketball players, and many others, are role models for thousands of girls.

Softball
Softball also boasts some great players. Gold Medalist Natasha Whately broke the Olympic record for stolen bases with five in nine games and emerged in 2004 as one of the best players in the world.

Gymnastics
It’s easy to see why Dominique Dawes was called “Awesome Dawesome.” Dawes vaulted her way into the record books with a string of awards and titles. She came home with a bronze medal from the 1992 Olympics and two years later became the first gymnast since 1969 to make a clean sweep of everything gold at the U.S. National Gymnastics Championship.

Volleyball
Flo Hyman is remembered not only as a great athlete whose life and career were cut tragically short, but also as a woman of great character. At 6 feet 5 inches she played volleyball for the University of Houston and went on to win the silver medal at the 1984 Olympic games. In 1986 Flo collapsed and died during a volleyball match. Later than year, she was posthumously inducted into the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Winter Olympics
Who can forget 2002 when Vonetta Flowers made Olympic history, becoming the first African-American to win a gold medal in the Winter Olympics? Her fellow Olympians chose her to carry the U.S.A. flag in the closing ceremonies.

Swimming
Maritza Correia is part of a new generation of competitive African-American swimmers. In addition to competing at the Beijing Olympics, Correia hopes to provide young minority girls with a swimming role model and bring the sport to inner city communities.

Fencing
Black, female athletes are making moves in new arenas, some fairly obscure. Laura Flessel-Colovic has established herself as the top French fencer and one of the world’s best. Flessel-Colovic started her career at seven years old and worked her way up to winning three Olympic medals and three world championship titles.

For their contributions to female sports – from amateur and college competitions to the world stage of the Olympics and professional sports – black, female athletes have achieved parity with their white female counterparts and are celebrated around the world.

As we embark on a four-week-long celebration of African American History, let’s not forget these unforgettable athletes.

Get to Know: Kristine Lilly

Kristine Lilly is often referred to as the USA’s Iron Woman, and for a good reason. Not only has she played in 342 matches for the USA (the most capped player on the world) and scored 129 goals in her national team career, but she has played on both professional leagues that have existed in the US and she has done it all over the course of more than 20 years (her first international appearance was in August 3, 1987). Can you think of any other athlete who’s had a professional career of 20 years?

She has won 2 World Cups, participating in 5, and 2 Olympic gold medals, participating in 3. She was an all-star with the Boston Breakers in the WUSA (2001-2003), and she is now playing for the Boston Breakers in WPS. She was a four time NCAA champion at UNC, and helped her high school team to 3 State championships.

Kristine was the captain of the national team from 2005-2007, but took 2008 off to have her baby girl, Sydney. Later that year she came back  to the field as she was allocated to the Boston Breakers. She started all 20 matches for the Breakers, the only player on the team to do so, and led the team in minutes played with 1,800. She was voted to the All-Star team where she started and scored a goal helping the team to a 4-2 win over opponent Umea IK.

You can certainly say that Kristine is one of the world’s greatest athletes, but she’s not done yet. As she is preparing for another season with the Breakers, she took the time to answer some questions, posted below.

What was your favorite moment/experience while at UNC?

I don’t think I have one moment that was my favorite but the best part was the great friends I made there.  Plus the education I got and winning 4 national championships were also good.

Do you intend to play in the 2011 World Cup or 2012 Olympics?

I haven’t been asked back up to the national team. So really it is in the hands of the U.S. coach.

Who on the national team is the most difficult to go one-on-one with?

Back in the day Joy Fawcett was always difficult to go up against.  Now Christie Rampone, Kate Markgraf and Amy LePeilbet were all difficult.

What does it mean to you, as a player and a person, to hold the world record for international appearances representing your country?

I am just really proud to have played in so many games.  That means I worked hard to remain a starter and be healthy to participate in so many games.

Do you think anyone will ever get more caps for their country than you have for the USA?

I’m not sure about that, but records are always made to be broken.

Who is the most difficult player from another country that you’ve ever had to play against?

Hege Riise, a player from Norway. She was very good.

If you could participate on any game show, which one would it be and why?

I always wanted to be on Family Feud.

Growing up, what was your favorite TV show to watch?

Happy Days.

If you didn’t play soccer for a living, what would you be doing instead?

I’m not sure. I love to take pictures, maybe a photographer.

I’ve read on your website that you took some cooking classes with your husband. What is your best dish?

My best dish now, is probably the mac & cheese I learned how to cook, by Ellie Deaner.

Do you have a hidden talent?

I can touch my tongue to my nose.

What is the craziest, most thrilling thing you’ve ever done?

I almost hiked to the top of Kilimanjaro.  Missed the summit by about 1500 feet.  I got altitude sickness.

Has your little one shown any interest for soccer?

She can kick a ball.

What do you like to do when you’re not training?

Play with my daughter and take a long walk with my dog.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Chocolate chip ice cream

What was your first car?

Passat

You’re first appearance for the USA was in 1987, more than 20 years ago, and you’ve been playing ever since you were a little kid- pretty much your entire life. How have you been able to play at the highest level for so long?

I just worked hard.  I made sure I was always fit.  I learned how to take care of myself but I also had fun with the people I played with, which made me want to work for them and vice versa.

This one is just for laughs. Do you think Sidney and the other WNT babies (the girls) will be the future of the national team?

It would be interesting to see one day what they all decide to do with their lives.

What do you want your legacy to be?

I think I would want people to know I went out there every day and worked hard and played for my teammates and to be the best!

What are your thoughts on the next WPS season?

Hopefully we can win in Boston!

(Ed. Note: Be sure to follow Kristine on her website www.KristineLilly13.com)

Sporty Saturday Spotlight 1-09-10

Not sure what you want to do after you hang up your cleats, board, glove, shin guards, sneaks, or stick? This Saturday the sporty spotlight shines bright on Trish Bare Grounds, an athletic trainer from Bare Essential Sports Medicine. Check out Trish’s insightful interview below where she shares her amazing career and fave sporty moments.

Name: Trish Bare Grounds

Age: 44

Sport(s): Dance, Equestrian, Track, Cheerleading, Soccer, Marital Arts — Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) for just about every sport there is at some point during my career but I focus now mainly on action/extreme sports, martial arts, cheer & dance

Hometown: (Just since January) Rebersburg, PA

High School/Middle School/College: Linton Stockton High School, Linton, IN; BA from DePauw University, MS from University of Miami; Yet to finish 2nd MS & PhD at University of Florida

Number: 10

Position: Nowadays Certified Athletic Trainer & Owner of Bare Essentials Sports Medicine Co LLC

What’s your fave sport?

Everything!  My favorite sports to cover as a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) for the past decade and more have been BMX (freestyle & Racing), Skateboard, Motocross (FMX & Racing), Snowboard, Skiing (Freestyle), Taekwondo, MMA, & Cheerleading …you know very similar sports!  I tend to drift towards the non-traditional sports with more adrenaline these days although I have worked and loved everything from football, basketball, baseball, soccer,  & track among many other of the more traditional sports.

How many years have you been playing your fave sport?

I have been an ATC for over 20 years and see no signs of slowing down yet; in fact I thinking I am working more now than I did even 10 years ago.

What was your fave sporty moment or memory?

My favorite moments come after I have helped an athlete return from an injury, especially injuries that could have been detrimental to their sporting careers (or that thought were career ending), climb up on the podium.  Just seeing them reach their dreams are the best moments of all, and I have many from pee wees to high school, to college to Olympic to Pro, and they all mean a lot to me! It is especially cool when that athlete steps down off of the podium and hands me their flowers in thanks for helping them get there, or after their sporting career they return to school to become an ATC themselves!

What was the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing your sport?

Patience and persistence no matter how frustrating things gets…and always look ahead with a glass half-full mentality no matter what!

What lessons have you learned about work ethic from your sport?

Same…patience & persistence win the game even when people try to knock you out, and always have a glass half-full…and always, always, always respect everyone no matter who they are.

What have you learned about teamwork?

Teamwork is amazing!  Things get done so much better and quicker when you work together and let others help you…everyone can contribute to make it all happen.  When someone thinks they are all that is needed that is when things go terribly wrong.

How do you balance school and sports?

For me it is balancing motherhood and sport coverage, and as a single mom that can be rough, but my daughter travels with me to whatever sporting event I am working and she gets to meet some really incredible people…some day I will tell her how famous the athletes she hangs out with were!  I have to keep things in perspective, family is always first for me, although I have many sons and daughters out there, just come to an event and you will hear them scream MOM!!  Love it!  But I have learned over the years that I have to make time for me as well as for family, friends and my athletes, otherwise I go crazy.  Since I love my work this is very often a hard concept for me to remember.  School, research, and writing take a back seat but somehow seem to get done.

List some awards or accolades you’ve received.

NATA Service Award given to a select few ATC’s each year who have volunteered and given back to sport and community over a period of 15 years or more; NCA Trainer of the year for the past 12 years; I have been priviledged to have worked some really cool events from World Cups, to World Championships to Olympics, to Dew Tour & Winter Dew, to local and state events in just about every sport, but the greatest award/reward I have received are the thank-you’s I get from my highly appreciative athletes every day.

Who’s your fave athlete, both male and female?

Hmmm, rough question there are so many!  I think Donna Vano (snow & skate) would have to be one of my all-time favorite females, but so is Diana Lopez  & Kay Poe (TKD) and so many more that I have worked with over the years…as for the guys wow I work with so many incredible people who are also amazing athletes, including Daniel Dhers, Chad Kagy, James Foster, Drew Bezanson, Brandon Dosch, Anthony Napolitan (BMX), Austen Seaholm, Ryan Sheckler, Christian Sereika (SKB), Steven Lopez, Jason Neville, Josh Coleman (TKD)…..I could go on for days!

Tell us about your profession.

Athletic Training for me is a way to still be a part of sports I love, especially action & extreme sports, where what I do can mean the difference between being able to compete or not.  I can honestly say I love what I do.  I get to go to work everyday and simply watch some tremendously talented athletes play the sports they love, and in the process meet some pretty awesome individuals.   I give them the added support for development and care of their mind and body that often helps them reach their highest dreams

Why did you choose this profession?

I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, originally thought I wanted to be a surgeon but also wanted to be there when the injury happened all the way until the athlete returned to full participation in the sport they loved, so it had to be Sports Medicine, and I kind of fell into Athletic Training as a means to be there, and not just the office, but actually working on-stie with athletes.  When I first joined this profession I was told girls would never do well and to make sure I had a “back-up” profession, which only made me want to prove them wrong, so I set on a path to work to the highest level of sport and hopefully make a difference in athlete’s lives, as well as hopefully open the door for other girls who wanted to do the same. If it were up to me I would work for free for all the sports and athletes who appreciate the care I provide if only I had no bills or at least more sponsors that reduced that burden since so many athletes I work with do not have health insurance, so they often go without care unless it is free.

What kind of schooling did you have to complete?

You only have to have a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine but I went onto get my Master’s and trying to finish up a PhD so that there are never any excuses from my education not being high enough to be hired.  When I sat for my Board Exams you also had to have completed 1800 hours of practical work with athletes, after working with over 50,000 athletes during my career I have lost track of how many hours I have put in to this point!

What’s your day like?

Depending on if I am at an event or just checking on the athletes while they are training, I have to be prepared to handle any kind of injury that can happen at anytime, and of course I tend to work those sports which have a greater chance of serious injury even in training.  Event coverage usually is anywhere from 10-14 hours/day, while training is generally less than 6 hours of work. I also have to spend time on the computer and phone trying to get events to work, staff to cover the events, supplies for the events, and sponsors and/or donations to cover the cost of traveling to and covering events as most of the sports I cover have little to know budget for medical care among athletes who probably need it the most.  I work anything from charity events to help support a local skatepark all the way up to highly televised events, and love caring for all the athletes no matter what age or ability level, they all have their own place in the sporting world.

What’s the girliest thing you like to do? (Pretty Tough signature question)

I loooooove pedicures!  And since I wear flip-flops or sandals anytime I am not working the toes have to look good!

Thanks, Trish!!

Do you or someone you know want to be spotlighted? Send an email to Keri Mikulski at kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.

Happy Saturday!

Sporty Saturday Spotlight 11-21-09

This Saturday the sporty spotlight shines bright on wakeboarder and snowboarder, Lucille Rogoff.  Check out Lucille’s interview below where she shares how she went from feeling scared to snowboard to making money doing it, her fave athletes, and much, much more.

Name: Lucille Rogoff

Age: 40

Sport(s): Snowboard, Wakeboard, Wake skate, wake surf, and trying to learn to barefoot

Hometown: Monroe, NY

High School/College/Grad School: Monroe-Woodbury High/Ramapo College of NJ/ University of Phoenix

Sponsors: Freestyle Watch Co, SMX Optics, Fuel, SixSixOne, SockGuy, SnowGirls, Tooks Int’l, Kinesys, GoPro, Member of the Monster Army

What’s your fave sport?

I love all sports and would have a hard time choosing just one, but I make money snowboarding, and I compete as well, so its probably my most lucrative sport.

How many years have you been playing your fave sport?

Funny thing is I have actually only been doing all my sports for going on 4 years, this will be my 4^th season snowboarding, and I am in my 4^th season wake boarding,less for all the other water sports.

What was your fave sporty moment or memory?

It took me forever to want to learn to snowboard so my favorite memory is when I was finally able to ride all over the mountain with my friends.

What was the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing your sport?

Respect gets Respect, not that I didn’t know that before but to see how frequently in lessons it is stressed that.

List some awards or accolades you’ve received.

Ranked 2^nd in Central Vermont and 7^th nationally for Slalom and Giant Slalom.

Who’s your fave athlete, both male and female?

Hannah Teter/Dallas Friday are my favorite female athletes and Rusty Malinoski/Danny Kass are my favorite male athletes.

What’s the girliest thing you like to do? (Pretty Tough signature question)

I am tomboy at heart, but I love to put on a dress and look like a girl whenever possible, and nothing beats a good manicure/pedicure to go with that.

Do you or someone you know want to be spotlighted? Shoot an email to Keri Mikulski at kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.

Happy Saturday! :)

Sporty Saturday Spotlight 10-24-09

This Saturday the sporty spotlight shines bright on fourteen-year-old superstar skateboarder, Stacia Suttles. Stacia hails from Bronx, New York (Go Yankees!). Today she shares her biggest lessons, balancing three sports, and the dish on her skateboarding sponsors. Check out her insightful interview below.

Name: Stacia Suttles           

Age: 14

Sport(s): skateboarding, tae-kwon-do, basketball

Hometown: Bronx, NY

High School/Middle School/College: St. Catherine Academy

Number: 31

Position: forward (basketball)

What’s your fave sport? skateboarding

How many years have you been playing your fave sport? 10 years

What was your fave sporty moment or memory? Learning how to drop in a ramp

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing your sport?

To never give up.

What have you learned about teamwork?

In basketball you need to work together with your team, and you can’t act as if you are alone.

How do you balance school and sports?

I get my schoolwork done first, then comes skating, basketball, and tae-kwon-do.  When I am in school, I think about school, and when I am doing a sport, I think about the sport.

List some awards or accolades you’ve received.

In tae-kwon-do I have achieved the level of half/black belt, and in November 2009 I will get my 1^st degree black belt.

Who’s your fave athlete, both male and female?

Ross Levine(martial arts), Danny Way(skateboarding), Rajon Rondo(basketball), Layla Ali(female boxer)

Are you sponsored? If so, by who?

Yes I am sponsored in skateboarding, by Fuel clothing, Division 26 clothing, Physcho wear, Aplomb clothing, F1 ceramic bearings, IPath footwear, SMX Optics, Christopher bean coffee, Drop in ride shop, and warrior skateboards.

What’s the girliest thing you like to do? (Pretty Tough signature question)

I like to have a lot of clothes, and sneakers. I also like to have my hair nice.

Thanks, Stacia! Good luck with your skateboarding career, sponsorships, and earning your black belt. I love your advice to ‘never give up’. Good stuff.

Do you want to be spotlighted? Send an email to kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.

Happy Saturday!

Sporty Saturday Spotlight 10-17-09

This Saturday the sporty spotlight shines bright on Pennsylvania pitcher and 2009 Patriot News Player to Watch, Hanna Bennett. Hanna shares two amazing pics, her work ethic, the importance of heart, and much more. Check out her insightful interview below.

Name: Hanna Bennett

Age: 16

Sport(s): Fastpitch Softball

Hometown: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

High School/Middle School/College: Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School

Number: 12

Position: Pitcher

What’s your fave sport? Softball

How many years have you been playing your fave sport? 8 years

What is your fave sporty moment or memory?

Making my high schools varsity team my freshman year.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing your sport?

That sometimes it’s not how good you are its how bad you and your teammates want it.

What lessons have you learned about work ethic from your sport?

That you only become good if you work hard. You’re not going to get any better by just sitting around.

What have you learned about teamwork?

That everyone on your team has to want to be a team you can’t just have some people wanting to be a team and other people not wanting to be a team, because it won’t work if its like that.

How do you balance school and sports?

It’s definitely hard, but I have a weekly scheduler that my dad and I sit down with at the beginning of each week and plan out the days I have work, the days I have softball practice/pitching lessons and the day I have to go to the gym. So keeping a schedule has definitely helped me a lot, so I’m able to see it visually.

List some awards or accolades you’ve received.

Freshman Year:

Freshman Varsity Letter

Sophomore Year:

Patriot News Player to Watch

Patriot News Top 10 Pitcher

1^st Team Mid-Penn Keystone Division All Star

Varsity Letter

Who’s your fave athlete, both male and female?

Male- Aaron Rowand

Female- Cat Osterman

What’s the girliest thing you like to do?

I like to just chill at my pool with my friends and tan. I could seriously do that all day.

Thanks, Hanna! Fabulous advice – hard work is definitely uber important, along with teamwork and heart. Looks like you’re definitely a softball superstar on the rise and congrats on your accomplishments. Best of luck with your career.

Do you want to be spotlighted? Send an email to kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.

Happy Saturday!

Sporty Saturday Spotlight 10-10-09

This Saturday the sporty spotlight shines bright on sixteen-year-old soccer player and skateboarder, Alex Espinoza. Check out the interview below where Alex shares her thoughts on fear and an amazing pic.

Name: Alex(us) Espinoza

Age: 16

Sport(s): Soccer and Skateboarding

Hometown: La Habra

High School/Middle School/College: La Habra High School

What’s your fave sport? Soccer and Skateboarding

How many years have you been playing your fave sport?

Soccer – 8 years

Skateboarding – 9 1/2 years

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing your sport?

What I’ve learned from skateboarding is that you can’t be afraid of anything.

What lessons have you learned about work ethic from your sport?

I’ve learned that when you fall just get back up even if you are hurt.

What have you learned about teamwork?

That teamwork is very important. You’ve got to listen to what people tell you.

Who’s your fave athlete, both male and female?

Soccer – David Beckham

Skateboarding – Adam Taylor, Lyn-z Adams Hawkins, Ryan Sheckler, Cody McIntire, and Tony Alva.

What’s the girliest thing you like to do? (Pretty Tough signature question)

Getting my nails and hair done.

Thanks, Alex! Great work ethic advice – when you fall, get right back up. Can’t wait to check out your fave skateboarders and best of luck with your sports career. :)

Do you want to be spotlighted? Send an email to Keri Mikulski at kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.

Happy Saturday!

OAKES in the Offseason

What an amazing experience being part of the inaugural Women’s Professional Soccer season has been! I’m a part of history. I’m a PRO athlete. But now it’s the offseason, and so what next?

The difficulty as a player within this first-year league is that there is very little to count on once the season ends. And with mostly year-to-year contracts, players at this point have not yet re-signed with their teams; they don’t get paid in the offseason either.

We all anticipate returning to play in the league next season, but that’s not for sure. We anticipate returning to the same city and team, but that’s not for sure either. And we seek a means to make a living for the time being, but are limited in job choices due to the fact that we’ll hopefully be leaving to begin the next WPS season within six months.

Even as we returned home in mid-August, many players still did not have clear plans for themselves. I, personally, shared the same unsettling feelings of uncertainty concerning my offseason game plan, or lack thereof. I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do, or where I was going to live, or how I was going to continue my training. I just believed that I’d be able to figure it out.

It’s been almost two months since my last game with the Chicago Red Stars and this is what I’ve figured out so far:

#1:  I’ve moved into a great apartment in my hometown of LA that I’ll be subletting through February. I get my own bedroom, private bathroom, and walk-in closet, all at a reduced rate. I live with an adorable Japanese student that’s been in the US for only two years. Her accent and modest demeanor are absolutely endearing. Optimistically, I don’t foresee any roommate conflicts.

#2:  I’ve begun an incredible 6-week yoga teacher certification training program at the InFocus Wellness Institute in Santa Monica , CA . In just two weeks, I, already, have experienced revelational moments and predict this to be a transformational and life-changing experience. (More on this Yoga Naga teacher training to come!)

#3: I’ve begun running private soccer lessons and have begun working soccer clinics for the Malibu AYSO league. I love working with kids, particularly girls, whom I can also mentor and inspire as a role model. In fact, I’ve begun discussions of possible collaborations with charities to put on free soccer clinics in LA, while also taking steps to put on my own specialty camps/clinics in the future. So be on the look-out for that!

I’m feeling awesome so far!! I have been able to fit in time at the gym to maintain a strength/rehab regiment as well as a few ballwork/skills sessions per week. I am determined to not lose sight of my top priority, which is to be ready to perform next season.

I’m a firm believer in nurturing your body and allowing yourself time to rest. So my current training schedule will intensify as the next season nears. Meanwhile, I’m committed to making a difference in the lives of others through education, empowerment and compassion, so I hope to also develop a network that will allow me to utilize my knowledge and experience in order to make that difference an ongoing reality.

I’d love to hear your ideas on what the soccer community needs and/or how we, as pro soccer players, could contribute to your community in any way.  Have any ideas?

~Jill Oakes

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