Soccer Superstar Foudy Meets MKA Teams

“Follow your dreams” was the potent message delivered by soccer superstar and Title IX activist Julie Foudy, the surprise guest at a recent MKA girls’ varsity soccer practice.

Foudy was USA National Team captain for 13 of 18 years, is a two-time World Cup Champion, and the holder of three Olympic medals (1996 Gold, 2000 Silver and 2004 Gold) in addition to being the third world all-time capped player among men or women. She has recently moved to New Jersey, and knows MKA Athletic Director and girls’ varsity soccer coach Todd Smith through his work with her girls’ soccer and leadership Academy.

The MKA soccer players were joined by the field hockey team and provided a rapt audience as they heard about Foudy’s soccer experiences and insights into life. “Even if people disagree with you, tell them your ideas anyway, “ she said. “Find a support group, smile and tell them you’re going to keep on going … You can make a difference if you have the courage to take steps, and sometimes the hardest thing to do is to take those steps.” Describing the long journey of establishing women’s soccer as a respected addition to the world of sports, Foudy also taught her young audience the importance of using adversity to make a difference in life. “Julie’s visit with our teams was fantastic,” said Smith, ”she understands the value that sport plays in one’s life and talked to the girls about the different styles of leadership and being a role model both on and off the field…she is truly inspirational.”

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