RAISING TOMORROW'S CHAMPIONS BLOG

Beyond the Book

With more than 150 interviews conducted throughout 2019 and 2020, we gathered far more material, about far more people, than could fit in one book. We will use this space, focusing on the earliest members of the National Team, to shine more light on the life lessons they shared.

Pioneers: Kim Wyant, Still Making History

February 26, 2021 | written by Paul Tukey

Growing up in Miami, Kim was often the best athlete playing whatever sport was in season, even though everyone else participating was a boy.

Pioneers: Denise Bender, Never Say Quit

February 14, 2021 | written by Paul Tukey

INTRODUCING: Denise Bender COLLEGE: Washington State and the University of Washington INTRODUCTION TO SOCCER: Growing up with a brother and twin sister on Mercer Island near Seattle, Denise competed in gymnastics and diving, as well as track and basketball, and didn’t start playing soccer until the Mercer Island Jockettes were formed in the early 1970s. […]

Our Book's Goal: To Give Back

February 14, 2021 | written by Paul Tukey

Generosity, in the form of gifts, donations or scholarships, helped launch the careers of numerous National Teamers. Giving back is also the core spirit that drives our book project. “At the time, I didn’t even realize (the financial assistance) was happening,” said 2019 World Cup champion Jessica McDonald, who was discovered at age 12 by […]

Pioneers: Linda Gancitano, the Champion of Change

February 7, 2021 | written by Paul Tukey

COLLEGE: University of Central Florida YOUTH CAREER: Linda grew up near Mullins Park in Coral Springs, Fla., where she spent countless evenings scrimmaging with boys, including her brother, Nick, who would become the field goal kicker for Penn State University’s national championship team that beat Georgia in the 1983 Sugar Bowl. Linda joined her brother […]

These Are the Stories Worth Telling

February 1, 2021 | written by Paul Tukey

In honor of this week’s 35th anniversary of the National Women and Girls in Sports Day, Joanna and I are so proud to be officially launching this web site, blog and soon our book. They’re the stories I wish I had been telling all along.

Pioneers: Emily Harner, Bound and Determined

January 31, 2021 | written by Paul Tukey

Emily Pickering Harner played on the U.S. women's national soccer team in 1985, the first official U.S women's national team in history.

So Much Badassness . . .

January 29, 2021 | written by Joanna Lohman

During a trip to Toronto for the International Women's Forum World Leadership Conference something happened in Toronto that really defined my purpose on this planet.

Pioneers: Lorraine Fitzhugh, Paying it Forward

January 23, 2021 | written by Paul Tukey

Lorraine, known as “Fig” to her oldest friends, was born in England in the 1960s — where it was still illegal for girls to play soccer. That law changed in 1970, but even after she had moved to the United States with her family in the 1970s, it never occurred to her father, Bryan, that he could sign her up to play.

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