Ok...

I have to add a disclaimer to that last entry. In "5 Great Alternatives to Writing a Paper," I may have encouraged you to push aside homework that should be a priority. So I have a few points to add:

- A student-athlete has to be a student first. That's why the word student comes first.

- Doing your homework, papers, and projects now will better prepare you for life beyond school, when deadlines are deadlines no matter what.

- The 5 alternatives should never be applied to the workplace or the home.

- Practicing the 5 alternatives too regularly may result in lower grades.

- SoccerChica is not responsible for low grades due to tardiness of the paper/project or poor quality. Neither is Big D. Nor are we responsible for groundings or other punishment due to lower grades or calls from teachers or anything else.

This includes fine print that you can't see without a telescope. That fine print covers anything else that may go wrong while practicing the 5 alternatives.

Thanks.

-SC

While the particular paper to be avoided is for my freshman level English Comp class, these can be applied to any paper or project that you desire to avoid like the Plague.

1) Write a blog entry.
-This is a prime example. I don't want to write the English paper, so I am writing this ABOUT not writing my English paper. I've managed to avoid the paper and put off the guilt by not doing something completely unrelated to the paper.

2) Go outside.
-Physical activity will provide endorphins that schoolwork quickly drain. When you get back to the paper/project, you might actually WANT to do it!

3) Volunteer.
-No teacher can refuse the excuse, "I was out late feeding the homeless/building a ramp for a man in a wheelchair/reading to children in the burn unit (or whatever it is you do) and didn't have time to do the homework." It's a lot more effective and a lot more believable than, "My dog ate my homework," though I have heard that that really does happen.

This is an article about a campaign for respect for soccer referees. The campaign was started by The Football Association and has recently been pubically supported by Manchester United's manager, Ferguson.

Read it: Ferguson Backs Call for Respect

I think this is great. It's so important that we treat all referees, umpires, game officials of any sort with the utmost respect. They are figures of authority on the feild, court, diamond, whatever. Especially in soccer, there is so much to watch at one time and so much effort goes into each minute and each call. They have a hard job to do and can't possibly please everyone. Though we as players, coaches, or spectators may not agree with some calls, we absolutely must remember that they deserve our respect. We think it's hard to play, but to referee is so much harder.

Thanks to The Football Association for bringing this back to the front of our minds.

With summer fast approach, Soccer Chica's financial needs for the fall semester are fast becoming a reality. So, she's decided to launch a new line of merchandise featuring various "Soccer Chicas Rule" designs. Her first few items with her initial design are now online in a CafePress Store to test the waters.

Won't you please consider helping her out and making a purchase for the Soccer Chica in your life?

Visit the Soccer Chica store at Cafe Press here: www.cafepress.com/soccerchica

Good news for American and US soccer fans! The US women's team is once again number 1 in FIFA rankings. The victory in the Algarve Cup sent us over Germany. The US team is the first to knock Germany out of the number 1 spot since the Women's World Cup last year.

Congrats!!!

There's a little more on this here:
US Regains No. 1 Ranking

These are some amazing people. I hope I can still be active as intensly as they are when I hit 50. I think the program is great and that this group of men and women would be very interesting to know.

Over 50 and Still Kickin'

Any over 50 soccerchicas or soccerdudes out there? I'd love to hear about your experiences!

Big D sent me this article, and I thought it was pretty interesting.

I still don't know how to get the actual article in this entry, so here's the link: Gays in Soccer

I was particularly caught by the word "popular" used to describe homosexuality in South America. Of course, I'd love to hear what you think of the issue.

Is soccer really for everyone or should the soccer community stick to a "don't ask, don't tell" standard?

Speak up. Be heard.

-SC

Hey there!

I know it's been a while. I apologize, but appreciate Big D's efforts to keep this up when I'm unable to. I also want to thank you all for your wonderful comments. It's always nice to see evidence that real people are actually reading this blog.

So, between a heavy class load, a part-time job, and gobs of volunteer work, while Big D has been running this show, I've seen a lot happen in the soccer world. It's all kind of flown by in the two months since I've written. I intend to just jump right back into this...until I get enormously stressed out again...and keep talking to you.

Watch for an update in the next couple of days!

Thanks again for all your support!!!

-SC

We are somewhat disappointed to see this morning that we were not the the winner of Soccerlens.com's Best Women's Football Blog of 2007.

Nonetheless, we are pleased that we achieved runner-up status both from the Readers Choice and Editor's Choice. Kickster, which is run by a group of professional soccer journalists. Not bad for a new blog, run by a college student and and a part-time admin.

Thanks for all who voted for us.

Photo: Ruby Washington/The New York Times

She had little formal education under Taliban rule in Afghanistan and strives to make a better life for herself and serve as a role model for other young women in her country. It continues to amaze me at how much of a role soccer plays in helping women express themselves and their limited freedoms in the many countries where women don't have the rights we in the US take for granted.