It's definitely been a busy couple weeks for the Hounds!! We've been on the road travelling for games and studying for exams this week, but through it all our team has managed to score 7 goals on the season so far(and there's definitely more to come!). These seven goals total $208.25 raised for Free2Play all while playing the sport we love so much. For those of you who are still interested, you can still join the movement with us!! It's not too late to pledge :)
We're off to McKendree and Bellarmine this weekend to continue our quest for the GLVC Championship and raise some more money and awareness for Free2Play! Good luck to all the other Hounds competing this weekend as well, let's all bring some wins home to Indy!
GO HOUNDS!!!
Kait #5 and Abby #25
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Free2Play
Well it’s official, the team is back on campus and working even harder this preseason to bring home an NCAA championship for UIndy. The 2012 season will bring some new changes for the Hounds, but one of the most exciting is our new team commitment to an organization called Free2Play. Free2Play- Not For Sale is a globally-reaching organization that works to stop human trafficking and creates opportunities for rescued victims of this slavery to recover through physical activity. Fellow teammates Haley Miller and Megan Fee brought the Free2Play-Not For Sale idea to the team’s attention, and we are all excited to see how far we can take it.
Our team has decided that individually, we will each pledge a given amount of money for each goal we score during the 2012 season. The amount each person pledges will be private, and no matter what the amount is, we are glad to be donating to a good cause. As a team, we have also purchased new warm-up shirts for all the players and staff to wear before each game. These shirts were made by the women and children rescued from slavery, and the proceeds go to Free2Play. Our intention is that these shirts spread awareness of the Free2Play cause; we hope that on game day, our opponents will ask about their meaning, which will provide us an opportunity to spread the message to others. There are also plans in the works to have a “Free2Play Weekend,” when we will ask if both visiting teams will also pledge money for every goal scored in competition that weekend. We are also working to educate other UIndy athletic teams to hopefully inspire them to do the same.
Below we have attached a link to the Free2Play-Not For Sale website where you can find much more information about human trafficking and the efforts to bring it to an end, see the facts of human trafficking across the world and right here in the United States, and even make a pledge of your own. The second attachment is the PowerPoint presentation Megan and Haley created to educate our team this past spring. We hope that our readers can find some time to visit the Free2Play site and help us spread the word about human trafficking!
GO HOUNDS!
Kait #5 and Abby #25
Our team has decided that individually, we will each pledge a given amount of money for each goal we score during the 2012 season. The amount each person pledges will be private, and no matter what the amount is, we are glad to be donating to a good cause. As a team, we have also purchased new warm-up shirts for all the players and staff to wear before each game. These shirts were made by the women and children rescued from slavery, and the proceeds go to Free2Play. Our intention is that these shirts spread awareness of the Free2Play cause; we hope that on game day, our opponents will ask about their meaning, which will provide us an opportunity to spread the message to others. There are also plans in the works to have a “Free2Play Weekend,” when we will ask if both visiting teams will also pledge money for every goal scored in competition that weekend. We are also working to educate other UIndy athletic teams to hopefully inspire them to do the same.
Below we have attached a link to the Free2Play-Not For Sale website where you can find much more information about human trafficking and the efforts to bring it to an end, see the facts of human trafficking across the world and right here in the United States, and even make a pledge of your own. The second attachment is the PowerPoint presentation Megan and Haley created to educate our team this past spring. We hope that our readers can find some time to visit the Free2Play site and help us spread the word about human trafficking!
GO HOUNDS!
Kait #5 and Abby #25
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Halloween in April
For our last spring season practice of the year, Coach Kiley threw us a curveball by telling us to dress in our best costume for a themed "Halloween in April" practice! He dangled the bait of a prize for the best costume, so naturally our competitive team got pretty creative. The only rules were that the costume must be appropriate and functional enough to participate in a full-length practice. Luckily, no one showed up with the cop-out, awkward excuse of "I'm dressed as myself." Everyone came dressed in full costumes; we had girls practicing in everything from tails to tutus. We could hardly suppress our laughter during warm-ups and practice...I mean, what else can you do when you have a masked and shelled mutant ninja turtle running straight at you? Or when you shoot the ball and see your Superman-clad keeper diving across the goal in her cape? But don't take our word for it; check out the pictures below to see how hysterical we all looked!
A fully pouched and tailed kangaroo, our team's very own Princess Peach, the Ninja Turtle who somehow practiced in a mask and shell, and a Nerd complete with suspenders :)
Thing 1 & Thing 2: KJ and Shelby's collaboration
Coach Megan and Goalie Megan think alike :)
She fooled us...not a cat (Shilah?) but a DINO!! Coach Reese, are you sure you didn't steal a small boy's Halloween costume?
Kait and Brea dressed up as their softball twins Kelsey Rummel and Sam Krcelich.
No, you aren't seeing double. This is Coach Kiley and Conway!
And the winner goes to the who-knows-what dressed in jorts, a Harley cutoff, and a mullet, Abby! Although some may know her as Darla...or just Butch...
We wrapped up our 2012 spring season this past weekend with a 1-0 win over IUPUI on Friday and a 1-0 win at the alumni game on Sunday. The team is really excited to welcome the incoming freshman and get our 2012-2013 season underway! A link to next year's schedule is found below. GO HOUNDS!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Springtime Community Service
As collegiate student-athletes at UIndy, we believe that our four years as Greyhounds aren’t just about practices, lifting, fitness, and games. Giving back to the surrounding community by volunteering is something we all share a passion for. This past Friday, our team took time out of our busy spring schedule to volunteer at the Riley Children’s Hospital. We danced and laughed with the kids and their siblings, and our coaches got involved too! If you know anything about our team, you wouldn’t be surprised to know we jumped right into the dances without any hesitation. Coach Reese eagerly volunteered herself into numerous dance- offs in which the kids proved to be tough competition. It was such an amazing feeling to see how we were able to put smiles on so many young faces, but what they might not have known was that they did the same thing for each of us. This was definitely a rewarding experience for all of those involved.
Forming a circle to try out some yoga moves!
Coach Reese was a dancing machine...
Breaking it down as one big team :)
The team would also like to send a shoutout to Jackie Paquette for these amazing pictures! GO HOUNDS!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Greyhounds Go Gladiator!
It’s official: We finally feel like soccer players again. The inescapable turf pellets are back in our clothes and cleats, the bruises are back on our Barrick-strong legs, and the wonderful stench of sweaty shin guards is back in the locker room. It can only mean one thing¾we’re back! Playing soccer! Last week, we busted out the soccer balls for the long-awaited first spring practice. After weeks of only weights and conditioning, we were all just itching to get our feet on some soccer balls. When we finally put the pennies on to end practice with some 8v8, we were so happy to finally just be playing the sport we all love with the teammates we love. And let’s be honest¾ it was a nice change of pace to see our teammates at a time other than 6:45am, because we’re all a lot cheerier when the sun is out.
Our energy and excitement from that first practice has carried over into our other practices, morning lifts, and conditionings. We’re just all a lot happier now that we are actually playing soccer together, and this happiness has translated into a lot of hard work. We’ve been maxing in the weight room (and preparing to go up a jean size from squats) and working on our speed, agility, and endurance in the dome (spring break bodies, anyone?). It’s been amazing to see us all pick each other up during these early morning workouts and hold each other accountable. We haven’t forgot our favored adage: “Teamwork makes the dream work!”
To reward our hard work, Coach Reese planned a fun but challenging day of competition-style conditioning for us on Thursday. If you have been around our team, then you probably know we LOVE a bit of friendly competition. So even at 6:45am, we were bright-eyed and ready to compete. After breaking up into three teams, we did some classic sprint relays, relays carrying the medicine ball over our heads or in our arms, and sled-pushing relays. But the real treat was when Coach Reese dragged out the rope. Tug-of-War, we thought. Nope, it was something ever better: GLADIATOR-STYLE FIGHTING! We circled the rope to form a fight ring, and Coach Reese put us up against each other in a “friendly” warrior tournament. Using giant pads as our buffers, we all fought for bragging rights, each trying to push our opponent out of the ring. It was a real-life “Who let the dogs out” moment. We all agreed that it was the best conditioning session ever, of all time. Check out the video slideshow of pictures below!
Make your own slideshow with music at Animoto.
Our energy and excitement from that first practice has carried over into our other practices, morning lifts, and conditionings. We’re just all a lot happier now that we are actually playing soccer together, and this happiness has translated into a lot of hard work. We’ve been maxing in the weight room (and preparing to go up a jean size from squats) and working on our speed, agility, and endurance in the dome (spring break bodies, anyone?). It’s been amazing to see us all pick each other up during these early morning workouts and hold each other accountable. We haven’t forgot our favored adage: “Teamwork makes the dream work!”
To reward our hard work, Coach Reese planned a fun but challenging day of competition-style conditioning for us on Thursday. If you have been around our team, then you probably know we LOVE a bit of friendly competition. So even at 6:45am, we were bright-eyed and ready to compete. After breaking up into three teams, we did some classic sprint relays, relays carrying the medicine ball over our heads or in our arms, and sled-pushing relays. But the real treat was when Coach Reese dragged out the rope. Tug-of-War, we thought. Nope, it was something ever better: GLADIATOR-STYLE FIGHTING! We circled the rope to form a fight ring, and Coach Reese put us up against each other in a “friendly” warrior tournament. Using giant pads as our buffers, we all fought for bragging rights, each trying to push our opponent out of the ring. It was a real-life “Who let the dogs out” moment. We all agreed that it was the best conditioning session ever, of all time. Check out the video slideshow of pictures below!
Make your own slideshow with music at Animoto.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Blogging for Dummies: Round Two
Just over a year ago, our beloved Libby started the first-ever Women’s Soccer blog as a way to document our team’s year-round adventures, both on and off the field. But as we all know, “Mamma” Libby was among the nine seniors we had to say goodbye to at the end of the fall season. These seniors were our teammates, friends, and sisters, and they always will be. But we’re still grieving over the fact these hound pups aren’t with us every waking morning before the sun comes up, still shocked at how weak our end-of-practice breakdowns sound with 9 less voices, and still wondering, “Where the heck is the rest of our team?”
The truth is, we haven’t lost anyone. Ask any of the nine soon-to-be-graduates. These girls are still a part of our team, whether you call them alumni or Super Fans (cough, cough…Libby). They didn’t put in four preseasons, four seasons, and three spring seasons for nothing—who would? These girls did it for their love of the game, but most importantly, for the team. For that, we can’t thank them enough for all of their hard work, because we ARE the very team they worked for.
We ARE the team. It’s not the names on the roster that matter, but what we do together. And surely we all haven’t forgotten about what this team wants to do together. When this blog was born, Libby wrote of our team’s goals to “win every game, capture a GLVC Championship, earn an NCAA bid, win a National Championship, and most importantly grow as individuals and as a team.” These goals are still ours. Now, in the spring season, these goals mean one thing: 7am, the dark, sunless hour when we’re running and lifting. Sure, we’re not all morning people, but we’re all soccer players and we’re all a team; that’s what wakes us up. At 7am, we could be in bed, still sleeping and dreaming, but we’re doing something even better—we’re making our dreams a reality. And what better way to start the day than knowing we are one step closer to achieving our goals?
But speaking of morning workouts, we better be off to bed. By the way, this blog post is the baby of—you guessed it—Abby and Kait. We can only hope to make it half as cutesy and inspirational as Old Woman Libbith did in her blogging days. But still, it’s not our blog! It’s the team’s blog, our way of showing our journey...showing the world what it’s like to be a team with a dream and the means to achieve it.
GO HOUNDS!!!
Kait #5 and Abby #25
P.S.-Pardon this novel of a blog post...one of us might be an English major.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Greyhound for Life
I know most of the girls have heard me say that I will be a "Greyhound for life." Most people assume I say this because I am going to be studying at UIndy for three more years, but the true meaning is actually much different.
For the past four years, I have had the privilege to put on a jersey every Friday and Sunday in fall. I didn't always take the field with the same girls, under the same leadership, or against the same opponent, but one thing ALWAYS remained the same: the UIndy logo on the front of my chest. A lot of people do not understand what comes with wearing this jersey: "blood, sweat, and tears," (if you know me well, this saying was a literal description of my career haha), pride, sacrifice, determination, heartbreak, joy, perseverance, and celebration ... along with epic rap battles, dancing, and pranks. Wearing this jersey has forever united me with the women who have previously worn the uniform and all of the future Greyhounds who will. Wearing the uniform was more than being apart of a team. It made me apart of a family. My teammates and my coaches will forever be in my heart, and that is why my fellow seniors and I are truly "Greyhounds for life."
Tomorrow, this blog will officially change hands to 2 underclassmen near and dear to my heart, Abby and Kait, and more importantly, the 2012 Greyhounds will start their off season training. My fellow seniors and I wish this amazing group of ladies the best of luck in the future.
It has been a pleasure blogging for you Hound Pound Nation! I'll see you in the stands this spring!
With all my love,
lib
For the past four years, I have had the privilege to put on a jersey every Friday and Sunday in fall. I didn't always take the field with the same girls, under the same leadership, or against the same opponent, but one thing ALWAYS remained the same: the UIndy logo on the front of my chest. A lot of people do not understand what comes with wearing this jersey: "blood, sweat, and tears," (if you know me well, this saying was a literal description of my career haha), pride, sacrifice, determination, heartbreak, joy, perseverance, and celebration ... along with epic rap battles, dancing, and pranks. Wearing this jersey has forever united me with the women who have previously worn the uniform and all of the future Greyhounds who will. Wearing the uniform was more than being apart of a team. It made me apart of a family. My teammates and my coaches will forever be in my heart, and that is why my fellow seniors and I are truly "Greyhounds for life."
Tomorrow, this blog will officially change hands to 2 underclassmen near and dear to my heart, Abby and Kait, and more importantly, the 2012 Greyhounds will start their off season training. My fellow seniors and I wish this amazing group of ladies the best of luck in the future.
It has been a pleasure blogging for you Hound Pound Nation! I'll see you in the stands this spring!
With all my love,
lib
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