Soccer is a non-contact sport
Dear Elizabeth:
Before last weekend, I had not heard about you nor the women’s soccer program at the University of New Mexico. Women’s soccer has always struggled for attention and I know this first-hand. As a young Sports Information Director (SID) at UC Irvine, I helped to promote the sport for the school. I wrote the media guide, press releases and hometown stories about the players. They all wanted to win, but played the sport in the right manner and never did anything to embarrass themselves or the school.
My guess is that you probably want to take back some of what you did in the match vs. BYU. The days of playing a match on an open soccer field with no attention are gone, Elizabeth. Everyone has a iphone or Blackberry these days and your low-lights unfortunately made it on to ESPN and other local news coverage.
By now, I am sure you are in hiding. The attention you probably received after your dirty play caused people to gasp when viewing the highlights (see below). Your name and actions are being mentioned in households across America. I’d bet you wish it were for a different accomplishment.
I am sure, due to the unwanted publicity, the school had to suspend you, indefinitely.
Anything captured on a video like this will follow you around for the rest of your athletic career and beyond. This one most certainly will.
It is not a something to be proud of, but as a junior, you may have a way out. People are given second chances. Do the right thing. Go beyond a rubber-stamped statement that your SID office released to the press.
Here are some things to consider:
1) Hand write a personal apology letter to the BYU team
2) Consider seeking help for your overly aggressive manner on the field. Nothing wrong with being competitive, but there is no room for dirty play. Words are one thing. Actions are another.
3) Make your hometown of Lancaster, CA proud by changing how you conduct yourself from today forward. It may have been one game but you need to change perceptions for the long road ahead.
4) Show people responsible within the athletic department that you have heard them and are making the necessary changes so that it will never happen again.
Thanks for listening and good luck.
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If you want a different take on the story, Here is the ESPN coverage about the the BYU vs New Mexico Soccer game
