WE DID IT! GO USA!

The 2009 World Cup has officially ended and the accomplishment of the past 10 days has yet to sink in. I have officially been gone since June 4^th and I have to admit that it is very hard to reincorporate into normal life. For the past 4 years (and longer for many), many of us have based much of our daily lives around training for the World Cup and for the chance to represent the United States. We trained in order to be prepared to play for the gold medal at any moment. Since June 4^th, that focus, hard work, and preparation only intensified. Now, though many of us are home, it is hard not to have a melancholy feeling. For a month, we existed not as a group of 18 individuals, but as ONE—as USA. And, as hard as the 3-a-days, 2-a-days, and “fun runs” were, I would go back in a second to exist again in that bubble known as USA. That is where my heart is…

Though the World Cup was only 10 days, they were the most physically and mentally taxing days I have ever been through. But it is that which made the experience so special and our accomplishment so great.

I thought that rivalries in college were intense. World Cup taught me that pride in your country is far greater than pride in your alma mater. This first hit me the day the other teams moved into our hotel; flags, posters, pictures, streamers of 16 different nations were taped to the walls in the hallways and hung from the windows. Though we may have had friends on opposing teams, it took a few days before we would cross country boundaries and mingle. Now, looking back, I appreciate how proudly each team wore their country’s colors, including our own.

In our first pregame meeting, our team shut our eyes, and listened to a beautiful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner. When we opened our eyes, several people had smeared eye black from shedding a few tears while others were bouncing in anticipation to take the field. We did this again before the gold medal game, and the same thing happened. So many people were overcome with the belief in what we could accomplish, and we did it. We made great plays, we made mistakes, but through the whole game—and whole tournament—the staff and the whole team never lost the belief in our abilities. We marched forward as one. We lived the dream. We lived USA.

Congratulations to my fellow 2009 WORLD CHAMPIONS! Miss and Love you.

Michelle DeJuliis Hosts FREE Clinic in PA Tomorrow

“BE YOUR BEST” Summer Lacrosse Camp, is having a FREE Clinic this Thursday at 12:00. http://www.beyourbestlax.com

BE OUR GUEST AND LEARN FROM THE BEST!!!!

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from TEAM USA CAPTAIN, MICHELLE DEJULIIS! Just back from Prague and winning the World Cup against Australia, Michelle will be at Carpenter Park this Thursday to provide a free clinic for all lacrosse players in our area.

Be Your Best Lacrosse Camp would like to provide this FREE CLINIC for everyone!

Come for Q&A, pictures, demo and free autograph session with the TEAM CAPTAIN of TEAM USA!!!!

More info on Michelle DeJuliis:

Michelle DeJuliis: 3-Time All American, Princeton Lacrosse Coach, Team Captain of Team USA!

http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/w-lacros/spec-rel/063009aaa.html

http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/w-lacros/spec-rel/061709aaa.html

deBeer and SportsHerWay Take on Prague

As the 2009 World Cup approached my self, Jacqueline McDevitt (deBeer Grass Roots Manager) and Lauren Traber (SportsHerWay Team and International Sales Rep) took on quite an adventure to take over Prague. Lauren flew out of BWI and I felw out of JFK and we met up in Heathrow Airport in London, England. Stuck in security I almost missed the flight but Lauren was holding the plane for me!

Day 1

After a long flight we arrived in Praha Airport and on our way to another adventure, rental cars! The car we rented was a stick shift, something I had not driven in say about, 6 years! It was an adventure to say the least but we were thankful that here in Prague you still drive on the right side of the road and yes, the steering wheel is on the left side! Getting used to a 6 hour time difference took a little getting used to but after a long night sleep we woke to a beautiful morning in a beautiful city!

Day 2

Day 2 found us on our way to the stadium where the games were being played and also where we would set up shop to sell lax gear with SHW. After settleing in and getting the currency exchange rates down we were off to a great start! Most of the girls from other countries were thrilled to see SHW and Debeer. They said that in their country they can either noever find lacrosse gear or that it is out of this world exspensive. We ahve sold out of our Impulse sticks, all but 2 of our handles and all of our GripperPro stringing kits! The last game of the day was USA vs Australia! It was a nail biter, USA was down 9-4 to the Aussies going into the half. USA pulled together to end the match 10-9 and keep their undefeated streak alive! Day 2 was a complete success! Lauren and I went for a nice walk around our hotel to find some local fare and “czech” out the area!   All in all it was a great day!

The Countdown

The world cup begins in exactly 24 days (from today, May 25). I know this because one of my US teammates sent out a daily calendar with a compilation of quotes and the number of days remaining until the tournament begins. Throughout the month, I have watched the number tick down lower and lower. The excitement and anticipation for the games is all I can think about, or rather, all I can dream about. I think about it during the day, during those hard workout sessions, and it keeps me up at night when I am trying to sleep. I am sure that I am not the only player out there with this feeling. I know my teammates are feeling the same anticipation that I am, but I hope that as we go through training camp at the beginning of June we will not only feel excited, but also ready—ready to face any obstacle we see on and off the field.

I can’t wait to get to training at camp and to see my friends. And call me sappy, but I can’t wait to put on the red, white, and blue everyday for basically the entire month of June. This is truly the most memorable time of my life, and I know that though it is all time to prepare and to play at our best, to also remember how special it is to be a part of this group and this experience. GO USA!