Flame Bearers Special Edition: U.S. Women's Soccer Originals
As the world tunes in for the ninth Women’s World Cup, it’s hard to imagine a time when professional women’s soccer didn’t exist. In 1985, 17 of the b…
Aug 23rd, 2023 |
15:12
Special Edition: U.S. Women's Soccer Originals (Pam Baughman-Cornell)
Pam was working in the credit department of JCPenney when she got a call from The Washington Post asking her about making the first U.S. Women's National Team -- she hadn't heard from U.S. Soccer yet, so she wasn't sure what was happening. The Post had the scoop -- she was on the team. The first USWNT.
Flash forward and though she's no longer a professional player, she's held onto her competitive spirit. Over the years, she's hiked the Appalachian Trail. 3 TIMES. She jumped into coaching young girls, always emphasizing "playing for the love of the game." She adventures in a camper van and runs competitively in road races, a love that her son, Nick shares (he's an ultra marathoner). Despite all of the incredible accolades and adventures Pam has wracked up, she cites her marriage with husband, Glenn (her #1 fan) and their two sons as what she's most proud of. "That's what I lead with," she says, often not sharing the USWNT part of her life with newer friends. Fear not -- Glenn makes sure everyone knows... And he's been with Pam every step of the way.
Glenn recalls hearing Pam's name being read off every morning in school assembly because "she was so good at every sport." They finally met in P.E. class and the rest is history. When asked why the world needs to hear Pam and her teammates' stories, Glenn offers, "It's so important to always think back about the people that were the first." Pam was one of those pioneers.
Media used in this production:
-38 years after making history, first USWNT to be honored at Asheville City regular season finale, Chris Womack, June 29th 2023,
-The Forgotten Early History of Women’s Soccer, Laurent Dubois, January 22, 2016