FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Tisha Hoch, former Olympic soccer players, walk towards the bleachers. Hamm places a soccer ball at her feet and glances at the crowd, ready to give them the show they've been waiting for.
She then kicks the ball to a little boy, picks up her microphone and explains the next drill.
Hamm, Lilly and Hoch did not come to Fort Eustis, Va., June 16, to compete. They came to show Fort Eustis' children a few soccer drills, sign gear and talk about the impact of teamwork and perseverance.
Before the Olympians took the stage, attendees were given a signing card, a soccer ball and a T-shirt for the players to sign, in addition to any personal items they brought.
After a short introduction, the Olympians called down all of the children in the audience. Lining up in rows, the kids learned simple drills the Olympians used when they were training for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. The drills included dribbling, ball control and hand-eye coordination techniques. After each drill, a few participants were selected to demonstrate what they had just learned.
Among those demonstrators, Julia Allison, 13, shared not only her skills with juggling, but also her insight on the event.
"This was really nice, and a good opportunity to learn something," said Allison. "Most people would have to pay a lot of money for the time we had today, but all we had to do was show up!"
Jaclyn Galbraith, 19, agreed with Allison wholeheartedly, and added how grateful she was to meet one of her icons.
"These are my idols," said Galbraith. "It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Mia Hamm."
Hamm's father was a U.S. Air Force pilot, so she spoke about the importance of organized sports and other community involvement with an emphasis on the military child.
"I remember moving around all the time, facing the challenges of a deployment," said Hamm. "I played soccer because my friends played soccer, and it was my way of getting involved in the community."
Hamm and her colleagues also spoke about how putting a team first makes it easier to overcome challenges.
"I remember we use to do these running drills where we would run down the field and back, have what felt like three seconds to rest, and then run again," said Hoch. "I hated those drills and always wanted to quit, but on either side of me was Mia or Kristine telling me I could make it."
Lilly spoke about the players being personally involved in helping children with soccer, and how those lessons translate to other aspects of life.
"We want to lend support to something we love," said Lilly. "Soccer teaches kids to get involved and excel as a team, not just as individuals."
Galbraith and Allison both walked away from the event carrying their signed soccer balls and T-shirts, talking about the accomplishments of the soccer stars and the excitement of meeting them. More importantly, however, they walked away with a new understanding of community, and a greater appreciation for their team, both on and off the field.