'Make Sure You're Having Fun,' Rampone Tells Young Fans

Morgan Rodemann was bubbling.

“I just hugged Christie Rampone! That makes my week!” the 9-year-old from Toms River said, almost bouncing as she and her mother, Jaclyn, and brother walked through the atrium at Ocean Medical Center in Brick this week.

“She’s like a role model to me,” Morgan said, explaining that she idolizes Rampone because “she’s such an awesome teammate.”

Morgan was one of a few dozen children and their parents who came out to a special hometown appearance by Rampone, captain of the U.S. women’s national soccer team, as the team makes its final preparations for the 2015 World Cup.

The U.S. Women’s National Team players have been making appearances in their hometowns around the country, as a way to thank their fans but also to thank them for their support of the team. The event was hosted by Meridian Health, for whom Rampone is a spokesperson.

“This is where it all started for me,” Rampone said as she was interviewed on a small stage by Lou Russo of the radio station 94.3 The Point. Born in Florida, she was raised in Point Pleasant and told the crowd she played for the Point Pleasant and Twin County soccer clubs growing up. In high school she was a three-sport star, playing field hockey and basketball in addition to soccer. Until recently, she held the Point Pleasant High School basketball scoring record with 2,190 points. She attended Monmouth University (then Monmouth College) on a basketball scholarship, but played soccer as well, and it was her exploits on the soccer field as a forward that drew the attention of the U.S. soccer program.

“Soccer chose me,” she told the audience in response to a young fan’s question. She joined the team in 1997, and converted from offense to defense shortly after, and the rest is history. She has more than 300 international game appearances -- she reached that mark in October -- and is one of the last remaining players from the 1999 team that won the inaugural women’s World Cup. Rampone was a substitute back then, learning the nuances of the international game from the likes of Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers and Kristine Lilly.

Lilly is one of her idols, Rampone said.

“Growing up I always looked up to my dad, because he loves sports,” she said. But Lilly inspired her later on for her consistency on the soccer field.

Rampone, who turns 40 the day after the group stage of the World Cup is completed, has said she may retire after this World Cup. What has kept her going all these years is the enjoyment of the game, which is kept in balance with her family life.

“Make sure you’re having fun,” Rampone said. “I’m able to go play the sport I love and come back to my two little girls.”

Jaclyn Rodemann, 37, said that’s one of the things she likes about Rampone.

“She’s very relatable,” Jaclyn Rodemann said. “She’s a mom and an athlete ... It’s been nice watching her journey.”

The women are playing a final friendly exhibition game at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, at Red Bull Arena in East Rutherford.

The World Cup begins June 6, but the U.S. women’s team’s first game is June 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Winnipeg.

(Photos by Karen Wall)