August 1, 2008 - For 10 days in June, Stephanie (Lopez) Cox knew she wasn’t going to the Olympics. For the next days 10 days it appeared she might. And then she was headed to China. What caused the rollercoaster ride and how did the star soccer player deal with the ups and downs?
Stephanie’s story deals with personal setbacks, overcoming obstacles and second chances. It’s about playing with passion and reaching for the stars. It’s a story of inspiration and happily, one of triumph.
If you’re not familiar with Stephanie Cox, you should be. A leading player at the Univ. of Portland, she had an undefeated season and won an NCAA title. As a member of the Women’s National team, she started all six games of the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup and was a more than likely candidate to make the 2008 Olympic roster.
But in a meeting with the U.S. coaching staff this spring, Cox was told that she had not made the final roster for the Summer Games. Head coach Pia Sundhage felt Cox had lost some passion for the game and that a break could help her recapture the vitality that had made her one of America’s top young players.
Devastated, Cox flew to Denver for a previously arranged speech on behalf of her sponsor Nike. The theme for the speech: Overcoming Obstacles.
On the podium in front of the Colorado Rush Soccer Club, Cox talked about playing in two youth world championships and not winning gold. She talked about her undefeated season at Portland, but also about falling short the other three years. She talked about the crushing semifinal loss at the Women’s World Cup. She spoke with passion and towards the end of the speech came the kicker.
“Despite all of these setbacks on the field, I’ve always made every team and continued up the ladder with the National Teams,” said Cox. “But just two days ago, I experienced my greatest personal loss as a soccer player. Two days ago, I found out that I didn’t make the roster for the Olympics, so I won’t be able to pursue a gold medal.”
Cox explained that she had given her best at every level and the fact she was at peace with that knowledge.
She finished to a standing ovation.
“It was one of my proudest personal moments to give that speech because I let it all out there,” she recalled. “It was hard to do, but I knew that even without the gold medals, it’s really about the process and the journey, about who you become as a person and the relationships you make along the way.”
Exactly a week later, Cox received a call informing her of the injury of a teammate and inviting her to play in the Peace Queen Cup. During the tournament, she was officially added to the final roster for the Summer Games and offered renewed hope of Olympic gold.
The lessons in all this? There are many. But surely not all goals are realized and many dreams don’t come true. But if you traverse the valleys as well as you celebrate the ascents to the mountain top, both journeys can be equally beneficial.
So true, and so well said.
Full story at ussoccer.com
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