U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012

The fans have spoken! Congratulations Gail Devers (track & field), Jean Driscoll (paralympic track & field), Gary Hall, Jr., Lisa Fernandez (softball), Kristine Lilly (soccer), Dan O’Brien, Jenny Thompson (swimming), the 2004 U.S. Olympic Women’s Softball Team, Ed Temple, James Connolly and Ted Stevens. All were recognized today as the USOC and Allstate Insurance unveiled the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012.

The Class of 2012 is the 15th class to be inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and will bring the total membership to 96 Olympians, five Paralympians, 10 teams, four coaches, 10 veterans, 16 contributors and two Olive Branch award inductees.

“I am completely overwhelmed by this honor,”  said Lisa Fernandez, a three-time Olympic gold medalist. “I never thought that playing the game of softball that I love so much would allow me to reach this level of accomplishment. This is bigger than anything I have dreamed of. What we have been able to achieve as a sport is incredible, and there is no greater honor than being inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.”

HOF Inductee Kristine Lilly

HOF Inductee Gail Devers

HOF Inductee Jenny Thompson

The announcement, bios and videos can be seen here: http://www2.teamusa.org/News/2012/May/13/2012-Olympic-Hall-of-Fame-inductees-announced-May-13-2012.aspx.

College Club Sports: Consider as Valuable Alternative to Varsity Play

Thanks in part to Title IX, opportunities for you to participate in sports as part of your college experience have expanded substantially. Yet when thinking about competing on behalf of your school, you tend to think varsity sports. I’d like to take this opportunity to expand your horizons in case your radar is limited.

Two alternatives deserve consideration, including recreational and club sports. Recreational play is for everyone, no matter what level, and is intra-school; most likely students will be competing in the various sports (basketball, softball, volleyball, etc.) in a fun school league. Friends, fraternity brothers, sorority sisters and dorm floors can create their own teams and register to play.  It is great social fun and a valuable way for you to stay active.

But my real intent here is to focus on Club sports as an alternative for talented athletes who either may not quite be Varsity level or are indeed elite but don’t wish their sport to consume their college experience. Club is ideal for so many reasons.

The best way to introduce and advocate for Club play is to tell you about my recent experience at Club Volleyball Nationals in Kansas City, MO a few weeks back. What a fantastic few days. Hundreds of men’s and women’s teams congregated for the ultimate tournament after a season of local conference play. Dressed in their school uniforms and demonstrating incredible school spirit, these teams went at it with the same intensity and passion as varsity teams. Sure, the great majority of the teams could not compete with Division 1 varsity teams. But does that matter? The level of competition was good from bottom to top, and the top teams – WOW! They were committed and talented beyond belief and fantastic to watch; as fun and stimulating as watching the varsity levels for me and the so many other fans I spoke with.

Let’s look at the perks of club play:

1)   Level of competition can be excellent;

2)   Practices are typically 2 or 3 times per week as opposed to every day;

3)   Conference play does not usually entail travel afar;

4)   More time to hit the books;

5)   More time for the college social life;

6)   Additional time for engaging in other extracurriculars;

7)   Easier on the body since traditionally less rigorous;

8)   Overall, less stressful;

9)   Offers a way to stay physically active in the sport of choice;

10)  Skill improvement is more than likely;

11)   Presents the same chance for team camaraderie;

 

I can go on.

So if you are a student athlete assessing the opportunities in your sport, be realistic and work on finding the best fit. Certainly don’t feel inferior or feel as though you are settling for less if opting for club play. You are in for a great experience.

As always, look forward to your feedback and discussion.

 

U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Soccer Teams Unveil New Kits

U.S. Soccer and Nike unveiled the new home jersey for both the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams. The U.S. Men and Women will debut the latest Nike jersey when they play their next domestic matches in late May.

For the first time, Nike has taken a unified approach with the USA’s home kits, creating jerseys that feature the same design and concept for both teams. The American flag is utilized as the jersey’s inspiration, with a shirt that features horizontal red and white stripes and a blue crew neck collar. There is also a subtle tonal sash echoing the same design on the jerseys worn by the U.S. Men’s National Team when it famously defeated England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Both kits are visually identical, but the women’s kit is designed specifically for the female athlete to enhance range of motion.

Pre-sale for the U.S. Men’s jersey starts online at 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday, April 17, and orders will be shipped starting on April 26. The new jersey will be available for purchase in stores on May 1. The U.S. Women’s jersey will be available starting on July 1.

• Order New Jersey Here (starting at 12:01 a.m. ET Tuesday, April 17)

The U.S. Men will debut the new kit when they face Scotland on May 26 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. The U.S. Women will sport the new look for the first time against China on May 27 at PPL Park in Chester, Pa.

The fabric of the new home kits is approximately 23 percent lighter and 20 percent stronger than Nike’s previous models. Made with Dri-FIT technology, the kits help regulate players’ temperatures on the pitch. The shirts feature laser-cut ventilation holes to promote localized cooling where it matters most.

Environmentally, each kit is made using an average of 13 recycled plastic bottles. The new kit’s shorts are made with 100 percent Dri-FIT recycled polyester and the shirt with a minimum 96 percent recycled polyester.

The new home shorts are blue, while the socks – now with improved cushioning for greater comfort, movement and protection – are white with a blue band at the top.

U.S. MNT and WNT Authentic Nike Home Jersey Features
Design

• Body featuring red and white stripes with a blue crew neck collar
• Inside neck of the shirt includes the American Stars and Stripes flag
• Jersey has tonal sash on the front
• Blue shorts, and the socks are white with a blue band at the top

Comfort and Fit

• Fabric is about 23 percent lighter than previous years’ kits
• Embedded with Dri-FIT technology
• Laser-cut ventilation on the shirt
• Double-knit structure and yarns to make kit 20 percent stronger than past designs
• Nike Pro Combat Hyperstrong shorts feature padded waist and thigh protection
• Nike Pro Combat Hypercool 2.0 top delivers ventilation and sweat-wicking fabric

Environmentally Friendly

• Shorts made with 100 percent recycled polyester
• Shirts made with at least 96 percent recycled polyester
• Kit made using an average of 13 recycled plastic bottles

Jersey Availability Timeline

• April 17: Pre-sale for U.S. Men’s jersey starts online at 12:01 a.m. ET
• April 26: Orders will start being shipped
• May 1: New jersey will be available for purchase in stores
• July 1: U.S. Women’s jersey will be available

MZ & Emmers Sports Bra Auction for Breast Cancer April 7-15

They are back at it again! Soccer player McCall Zerboni and Emma Bayer, are raising money again for breast cancer research. If you have no idea what this article is about, check out this other article for some background information on how a professional soccer player and fan came together to help make a difference.

The Bayers and Zerboni have worked really hard on their second “MZ & Emmers Sports Bra Auction for Breast Cancer” for many months to help support the fight against breast cancer. The first auction involved sports bras from soccer players from all over the world. This time, they have gone outside of women’s soccer and reached out to female athletes from all over the sports world.

From surfers, to mountain bike racers, race car drivers, swimmers, slalom kayakers, figure skaters, cheerleaders, boxers, basketball, volleyball, football, and, of course, soccer players, the auction offers great items (sports bras) and reaches out to more than just soccer fanatics.

“We went outside (of soccer) so we could reach a larger audience and get more women involved,” said David Bayer, Emma’s dad. “Breast cancer is, of course, the main focus, but we really want to let everyone see the power of women’s athletics too. They don’t get enough notice.”

“One really cool thing is that so many of the women are really embracing this. Many have some sort of connection to breast cancer,” he added.

The disease has touched the lives of so many in some way or another, like Zerboni, who has lost an aunt to cancer. She doesn’t need to think twice about getting involved to try to help find a cure. For the athletes, it’s a way of using their voice to raise awareness and help a worthy cause.

And now sports fans have the opportunity to get involved, support the athletes, and the cause at the same time by bidding on an autographed sports bra.

The money raised will be divided by three different organizations, each with different missions.

The first beneficiary is the The Keep-A-Breast Foundation, which primarily seeks to increase breast cancer awareness. The second is The Breast Cancer Survivors Network, which is the largest support group for breast cancer victims in the state of Georgia. Lastly, a share of the profits from the auction will go to LA County affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure for research.

The sports bra auction will run from April 7-15 on eBay. For more information, visit the project’s Facebook page here.

Julie Foudy Announces “Choose to Matter” Contest Winners

I feel like the proud mother of 70 babies. Well, OK, 70 leadership service projects.  I truly felt that same sense of pride while reading about these awesome projects from the Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy’s (JFSLA) students and the girls of our partner nonprofit, Girl Talk (and the good news is they don’t require being bathed and fed! J).

I am still beaming that more than 60,000 people were exposed to the great work our girls are doing in their communities through our first ever JFSLA “Choose to Matter” Contest. Our hope is that by reading about these amazing leadership projects, many more people will be inspired to the do the same in their community.

Huge congratulations to our four winners who, thanks in large part to the generosity from McDonald’s and The Century Council, are heading to the Olympics this summer as Youth Ambassadors for McDonald’s “Champions of Play” Program! Here are the grand prize Choose to Matter Contest winners:

• Jackie Schaefer (age 12) “Kids Helping Kids,” from Jacksonville, FL (JFSLA New Jersey)
• Amanda Christianson (age 14) “Cleats for Kids,” from Plainfield, IL (JFSLA Illinois)
• Gulafsha Kamrulhodda Ansari, “Giving Girls a Chance to Play,” (age 16) from Mumbai, India (JFSLA California)
• Girl Talk: Moriah Wilson (age 14), “Lil’ Hearts of Love: Pillows and Pages Edition,”Atlanta, GA (GirlTalk)

And congrats also to our 2^nd and 3^rd place winners who get a $500 and $250 PUMA shopping spree on Eurosport’s website, soccer.com:

• New Jersey:
  • 2^nd place: Mariana Azevedo, “Mother Nature Strikes…Teen Defends!”
  • 3^rd place: Nicole Romola, “Bear Hugs”
• Illinois:
  • 2^nd place: Madison Martin, “Big Sister to Down Syndrome Kids”
  • 3^rd place: Amy Scruggs, “Teen Pride Volunteers”
• California:
  • 2^nd place: Maryssa Beare, “Operation Save Second Base: Breast Cancer Awareness”
  • 3^rd place: Montana Ankner, “Let’s Put An End To Cyberbullying”
• Girl Talk:
  • 2^nd place: Emily Huff, “Choose to Matter 24/7/365”
  • 3^rd place: Erin Ernst, “Spreading Christmas Hope”

 

CHOOSE TO MATTER.

You can make a difference every single day, the question is — will you?

We asked our girls to choose to matter and look at the results.  http://contest.juliefoudyleadership.com/2012-jfsla-choose-matter-contest-winners

Now ask this of yourselves and each other: if we all just did a bit more to mentor, give back, lend a hand, help a friend, help a stranger -imagine the results.

Thank you to the 70 girls who just reminded us of the potential for good.  In all of us.

Live. Lead. Pass it On…. and remember to keep laughing.

 

Julie Foudy

Seattle Sounders Women Sign USWNT Forward Alex Morgan

Wow. Wow. Wow. Alex Morgan is in the headlines, again!

(via release)

Seattle Sounders Women have signed US Women’s National Team forward Alex Morgan pending official USSF/CSA approval, the team announced today.

“Alex is a world class player who has proven herself well beyond her 22 years.  Her breakout World Cup performance sets the stage for what will be an exciting Sounders Women’s Season.” said Sounders Women General Manager Amy Carnell.

Morgan, 22, has 32 appearances and 16 goals for the US Women’s National Team since making her debut in 2010. The Diamond Bar, CA, native was the youngest player on the team that competed in the 2011 FIFA World Cup.  She made an impact coming on as a substitute, however, scoring goals in the semifinal and final.

“I am excited to play in a city that is so passionate about soccer. The Sounders have been one of if not the best fan support in MLS. I can only imagine how Seattle fans would respond to having a full professional women’s team in the future.”

She also recorded five goals in ten appearances as a member of the US Women’s U-20 National Team.

After finishing a prolific college career at the University of California Berkeley, Morgan was selected with the first pick in the 2011 Women’s Professional Soccer Draft by the Western New York Flash.  She scored four goals in her rookie campaign and helped the Flash to win the league title.

Morgan will join fellow US National Team players Hope Solo and Sydney Leroux on the Sounders Women this season pending official USSF/CSA approval. Games will be played at Starfire Sports Complex, with the schedule and season tickets announcement to be made Tuesday February 28th.

The Sounders FC does not have any direct relationship or ownership with the Sounders Women. For more information visit the new Sounders Women website at www.sounderswomen.com.

Related Posts
Soccer Star Alex Morgan Poses for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition
W League: Sounders Women sign Hope Solo & Sydney Leroux
Abby Wambach New Co-Captain of U.S. Women’s Soccer Team

Abby Wambach New Co-Captain of U.S. Women’s Soccer Team

Abby Wambach will have a new title at the  London Games.

Coach Pia Sundhage recently named the 31-year-old Wambach a co-captain of the U.S. women’s soccer team- or essentially the vice-captain to team leader Christie Rampone.

It makes sense, given that the dominant striker was already the team’s go-to spokeswoman and vocal locker room leader.

But she can go on and on at times, to the point that Pia Sundhage had to tell Gabby Abby to “shut up” at a meeting not long after Sundhage became coach four years ago.

Wambach says she likes the co-captain role but she thinks Sundhage regrets it sometimes “because I tell her exactly how I feel.”

It’s easy however, to see why Sundhage made the change. Wambach is a role model on and off the field.

“Quite honestly, I was a little shocked that Pia wanted to change things up,” Wambach said. “Not that she doesn’t like to change things up – she loves that part of sports – but I have so much respect for all of my teammates that quite honestly if I have the co-captain or captain band, I’m still going to be who I am. I’m still going to support you. I’m still going to yell at you. I’m still probably going to kick you in practice. I’m still going to make you the best player you possibly can be.”

The Americans are in Portugal now training for the 12-team Algarve Cup which begins next week.

Hopefully Wambach and Rampone will lead the team to an Olympic gold medal this summer.

Sh*t Soccer Girls Say

Pretty Funny – a small glimpse into some of the sh*t soccer girls say. Follow @SoccerGrlProbs on Twitter. What are your favorites? Any adds?

[Video] Behind the Body Paint with Alex Morgan, Natalie Coughlin and Natalie Gulbis

Soccer super stud Alex Morgan had to look twice in the mirror to make sure she wasn’t completely exposed. Despite feeling slightly uncomfortable, Morgan was thrilled with the end result.

Olympic gold medal swimmer Natalie Coughlin loved modeling for the SI Swimsuit issue, despite the 12 hours it took to paint a swimsuit on her.

Professional golfer Natalie Gulbis had a green string bikini with white golf balls painted on her for the shoot.

Related Posts:
Soccer Star Alex Morgan Poses for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition
Natalie Coughlin and Natalie Gulbis join Alex Morgan in Body Paint
2011 Class of Naked Athletes for ESPN Body Issue

Surprise Guest Hope Solo at Conga Room in LA #womenandsport

 

USWNT goalkeeper Hope Solo, looking stunning in an orange gown, made a surprise appearance at L.A. Live’s Conga Room during the 5th IOC Women and Sports Confab Friday night.  Here she is talking to Michelle Kwan, co-chair of the event and winner of one of the evening’s awards.

 

Jennie Finch,  Michelle Kwan,  Nadia Comaneci,  Hope Solo at the IOC Women and Sport dinner in Los Angeles sponsored by the Power of  I.

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