Oct. 16, 2002
On any given weekend you can visit a local soccer field in the United States and you'll see them chasing down a black and white ball with intense expressions on their faces, America's soccer playing public. It wasn't long ago that soccer, the most popular sport in the world and a multi-billion dollar global industry, was a fringe sport in the United States. But in recent years, soccer has made serious inroads into Americans' hearts and homes. More children are playing soccer today than any other sport, and California is home to some of the best soccer in the United States. Join top names in American soccer for a discussion of the past, present and future of "The Beautiful Game" in the United States.
Panelists include:
Jerry Smith - Head Coach of Santa Clara University Women's Soccer, NCAA 2001 Women's National Champions, U.S. Under-21 Women's National Team coach
Bret Simon - Head Coach of Stanford University Men's Soccer, Currently Ranked #1 in the Nation
Brian Hall - FIFA Referee, First American-Born On-Field Official at the World Cup (2002 FIFA World Cup)
Andrew Ransome - CYSA Instructor, ODP Coach, and Former National Coaching Director of Britannia Soccer USA
Marlene Bjornsrud - General Manager of the San Jose CyberRays, 2001 WUSA Champions \
San Jose Earthquakes - (Member of the Organization to be Determined)
Special Guests: San Jose CyberRays Players
6:15 PM Registration;
6:45 PM Panel Discussion with Moderator;
7:30-7:50 PM Question and Answer
Tuesday, October 22, 2002
Cubberley Community Center, Main Theater
4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto (Entrance across from Montrose Avenue)
$7 Members and Students; $13 Non-Members; Free for children 12 and under
Space is limited! Please make reservations by calling 800-847-7730, or book your tickets online at www.commonwealthclub.org/sv
Brought to you by INFORUM & The Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley