Between the framed autographed Atlanta United and Atlanta Hawks jerseys, motivational “Ted Lasso” poster and college degrees hanging on the walls, there’s a desk and bookcase.
On that desk lays organized pads, papers and pens and behind it a tall woman with short dirty blonde hair wearing some royal blue and white adidas sneakers.
On the bookcase however, there is a soccer ball. Not any soccer ball, but the official 2014 World Cup ball called the Adidas Brazuca referencing Brazil where the 2014 World Cup was held.
This soccer ball represents a community and dedication to something more than simply a game for several athletes.
One person on the school grounds that represents this love and passion is none other than Assistant Principal Rebecca Myers.
Myers is an Atlanta – specifically Marietta – native who played for TopHat, a club in Georgia.
On the side, Myers also entertained smaller Division 1 schools for basketball.
“Basketball was my outlet. Soccer was where all the stress was. I didn’t have an outside shot; I could play defense go figure cause soccer players can move their feet,” said Myers.
In her junior year of high school Myers attended a UConn soccer camp and won MVP. She said she fell in love with the northern attitude.
Her father encouraged her to attend the UMass soccer camp since they were already in the region, but she had no interest. However, she didn’t win that battle with her father and was required to go to the camp.
“I did UMass. It was just beautiful sitting in a valley—the northeast was something I’d never seen before,” said Myers.
In the end, Myers committed to UMass because she said she wanted the opportunity of playing for a national championship, and UMass was top 10 at the time.
Her team became a family.
Her team had a familiar atmosphere, “When I went on my recruiting trips, I wanted that family atmosphere and they all got along. I loved playing I don’t do the drama.”
Former teammate and US Women’s National Team player, goalkeeper Briana Scurry said, “I consider those of us who wear the crest as sisters.”
Soccer has become a rich man’s sport; the game has a lot of emphasis on the personal brands within a team and sometimes that definitely does have an impact on the relative calmness of the waters of the team and can sometimes get in the way of things.
Myers is a retired division one collegiate level soccer coach from 2001-2004 and former division one athlete herself in 1993-1996. She played at the University of Massachusetts in the attacking midfield position where she led the team to one NCAA final four, three NCAA sweet sixteen and three conference championships.
She played alongside legends that pioneered the women’s soccer movement like US Women’s National Team forward Mia Hamm.
One of her very own teammates was former US Women’s National team, two-time Olympic gold medalist and 1999 World Cup champion goalkeeper Briana Scurry.
“I think she kicks Hope Solos butt any day of the week. She was amazing I would let people shoot I’d be like go ahead do you know who my goalie is good luck,” said Myers.
One of her most memorable games was during her freshman season, “My freshman year we went to the final four and we played UNC a little freshman playing with fourth year senior Mia Hamm.”
At halftime UMass was down 3-0. The game ended in a 4-1 loss for UMass and UNC went on the win the national championship that year after beating Duke 9-0 he previous year.
The game leading up to the final four was a home game for UMass. Around 2 to 3 thousand people watched the game. The UMass field was in the center of campus at the time students would walk by and skip class to go sit and watch the game.
“Those two games are what you fight for. That freshman year was just amazing,” said Myers.
Scurry also mentioned that home game against Hartford to move onto the final as a most memorable game.
“I do remember Becca fondly I was more than thrilled to talk about her she is an amazing person and an amazing player she really did always have this calmness and a wisdom and an energy. I’m not surprised she’s doing well,” said Scurry.
After her college career Myers played semiprofessional soccer for the Chicago Cobras.
This past fall she was inducted into the UMass Athletics Class of 2023 Hall of Fame. She described her return to campus as closure after almost 20 years of being away and leaving without an NCAA Championship.
Her career was cut short in game seven of her senior year when she blew out her knee. “I had a lot of animosity in me, that was it, 22 years of me grinding on the field and I don’t even get to say when it’s over.”
“When I went back in the building and I’m walking through the building and old training rooms I’m just tearing up I forgot how special this place was and how much I loved this place. You put so much into it and there was an overwhelming sense of pride and I’m so happy I went here,” said Myers.
UMass was Myers’s perfect fit. The family environment and beautiful setting made her an exceptional player, person and later coach.
“Always have your team first. You reap what you sow,” said Scurry.
