Sports Envoy
Sports Envoy Program

Region: Brazil

Linda Hamilton

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2007  –  Philippines
  • 2010  –  Ivory Coast
  • 2011  –  Brazil
  • 2013  –  Chile
  • 2014  –  Bangladesh
  • 2015  –  Burma
  • 2016  –  China
  • 2019  –  Egypt

Linda Hamilton enters her fifth season as head coach of the Southwestern women’s soccer team, coming off a season in which she was named the SCAC Coach of the Year, leading the Pirates to the SCAC Championship match.

Hamilton brings a wealth of experience to the program, both as a player and coach. She played collegiately at North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina, earning All-America status and all-conference honors all four years. She was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year in 1988. Hamilton was a member of the United States National Team, where she played in 82 international matches. She helped the team to a World Cup gold medal in 1991 and bronze in 1995.

Hamilton, who owns a United States Soccer Federation “A” coaching license, got her start in coaching at Old Dominion University as the team’s head coach from 1993 to 1995. She later served as an assistant at Hofstra University (2006-2007) and most recently served as head coach at the University of North Florida (2007-2013). She has additionally worked with the Easter Seals and National Multiple Sclerosis Society (2002-2006), serving as director of development.

Jason Collins

Basketball

Served as envoy

  • 2015  –  Brazil
  • 2016  –  Angola

Jason Collins is a retired American professional basketball player of the National Basketball As-sociation (NBA).

Collins attended Stanford University, where he was an All-American in the 2000-2001 season. He was also named to the All Pac-10 First Team and awarded the NABC Pete Newell “Big Man of the Year” Award. He finished his college career ranked first in Stanford history for field goal percentage and third in blocked shots. Upon graduating with a B.A. from Stan-ford, Collins was selected in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft with the 18th overall pick. Now a 13-year veteran, Collins has played center for six teams including New Jersey, Memphis, Minnesota, Atlanta, Boston, Washington and, most recently, the Brooklyn Nets (formerly the New Jersey Nets). Doc Rivers, who coached Collins during his time with the Boston Celtics, said of Collins: “He’s the best. He literally is one of the best guys I’ve ever had in the locker room, player or coach.” In his 13 years in the league, Collins’ teams earned 10 trips to the playoffs including 2 NBA Finals appearances.

After the 2012-13 NBA season concluded, Collins publicly came out as gay in a cover story for Sports Illustrated, becoming the first male active player in any of the four major American professional sports to announce that he is gay. President Obama expressed his gratitude to Collins for his courageous announcement and said he “couldn’t be prouder” of Collins, recognizing this as a point of progress for the LGBT community, and one more step in America’s goal to treat everyone fairly and with respect. Collins has traveled the country with the mission of empowering people to live their lives as their true selves, and has become an active member of numerous charities, foundations and organizations. In 2013, GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, honored Collins with the Courage Award at the GLSEN Respect Awards. In 2014, Logo TV honored Collins with its inaugural Trailblazer Award. Also in 2014, the Matthew Shepard Foundation honored Collins with its Making a Difference Award at its annual Honors Gala.

In April 2014, Collins was featured on the cover of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World.” He served on the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, which works to motivate Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle via physical activity and nutrition. Collins resides in Los Angeles, California.

Jeremy Guthrie

Baseball

Served as envoy

  • 2015  –  Panama
  • 2017  –  Nigeria
  • 2018  –  Brazil
  • 2020  –  Virtual

Beginning his baseball career as the starting pitcher at Stanford University, Jeremy Guthrie currently plays for the Eastern Reyes del Tigre of the Constellation Energy League, but played for 15 years in MLB for the Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, and the Washington Nationals.

Guthrie pitched for Team USA in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. During his time with the Kansas City Royals, he logged the most innings of his career during the 2013 season with 211⅔. He finished with a 15–12 record and a 4.04 ERA. The 2014 season Guthrie posted a 4.13 ERA over 202.2 innings and finished the regular season with a record of 13–11.

Guthrie is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and he served for two years as a missionary for the church in Spain. On February 1, 2018, Guthrie began a three-year assignment as president of its Texas Houston South Mission for the LDS church.

Tiffany Roberts-Sahaydak

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2006  –  Uganda
  • 2007  –  Philippines
  • 2010  –  Thailand
  • 2011  –  Brazil
  • 2014  –  Brazil
  • 2015  –  Indonesia
  • 2017  –  Belarus
  • 2017  –  Albania
  • 2019  –  Egypt

An Olympic gold medalist, World Cup champion and two-time NCAA champion, Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak was named head women’s soccer coach at UCF in May 2013.

A three-time American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, Roberts Sahaydak has wasted no time in putting her stamp on UCF’s successful program. Under her guidance, the Knights have earned four NCAA Tournament bids and four American Athletic Conference championships while boasting 11 conference Player of the Year awards and 38 all-league and tournament selections.

In her first season (2013), she led UCF to a school-record unbeaten streak (18 matches), an NSCAA national standing through much of the year and the program’s first undefeated conference season since 1999. In addition, UCF made history as the first program to win an American Athletic Conference Championship.

Roberts Sahaydak came to Orlando after serving six seasons at VCU alongside her co-head coach, husband and current UCF associate head coach Tim Sahaydak.

Roberts Sahaydak spent a decade with the U.S. National Team from 1994-2004, earning 112 caps (with 60 starts). Her career was highlighted by three women’s World Cups – among them, the unforgettable 1999 championship – and a gold medal with the 1996 Olympic team.

After retiring from the USWNT, she has served as an ambassador for U.S. Soccer with the U.S. Department of State Sports Envoy Program since 2007, promoting the power and benefit of sport internationally. With the program, she has visited Indonesia, Uganda, the Philippines, Thailand, Namibia, Brazil and France. In 2014, she was appointed to President Barack Obama’s Presidential Delegation to the Federative Republic of Brazil at the opening of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. She is a native of San Ramon, Calif., and was selected as the 1994 California High School Player of the Year.

She was a three-time Parade High School All-American, a three-time NSCAA All-American and was the two-time National Girl’s High School Player of the Year. She debuted for the Stars and Stripes in 1994 when she was only 16 as one of the youngest players ever to suit up for the National Team. She played in her first FIFA Women’s World Cup a month after her 18th birthday and won Olympic gold before she was out of her teens (USSoccer.com).

As a collegian, Roberts Sahaydak was a standout midfielder for North Carolina (1995-98) as a three-time All-ACC First Team selection. She led the Tar Heels to two NCAA titles (1996, 1997) during her tenure, was voted the 1998 ACC Tournament MVP and finished third in voting for collegiate soccer’s highest honor, the Hermann Trophy.

She still ranks among the top five for career starts in UNC’s record book.She was a two-time captain for the Carolina Courage in the first fully professional U.S. women’s league (Women’s United Soccer Association). She helped the Courage win the 2002 title after finishing last in the team’s inaugural campaign one year prior.

Roberts Sahaydak took over VCU’s program in 2007 and led the Rams to three conference championship game appearances. She was voted as the 2011 Colonial Athletic Association Co-Head Coach of the Year, along with her husband Tim. The duo mentored two CAA Defenders of the Year, one CAA Rookie of the Year and 20 all-conference players, including six first-team honorees.The Sahaydaks reside in Orlando with their two daughters, Layla and Evie.

“It’s been a life changing experience being involved in the Sports Diplomacy Envoys. I have had the good fortune of participating in programs all over the globe, and I’ve worked together with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. I am constantly reminded that sport can bring us closer together. We can celebrate our differences and our common interests. Every time we start to play a game we start to connect and the world seems to get a bit smaller.”

Julie Foudy

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2013  –  Brazil

Founder, Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy,
Television Analyst and Reporter for ABC/ESPN.

Julie had a sensational soccer career while playing on the USA National Team for 17 years. She is the former Captain of the US Women’s National Team. She was a captain on the National Team for 13 of her 17 years with the team. Julie participated in 4 Women’s World Cups and 3 Olympics for the USA Team. She is a two-time World Cup Champion and she is also a 1996 Olympic Gold medalist, 2000 Olympic Silver medalist and 2004 Olympic Gold medalist.

Julie finished her National Team career with 45 goals, 59 assists and 272 international appearances (caps) for the USA. Her 272 caps rank third in the world all-time, male or female. Julie played all 3 years as Captain with the WUSA’s San Diego Spirit. She was a 4 time All-American at Stanford University and was inducted into the Stanford Hall of Fame. While at Mission Viejo High School, Julie won three CIF Championships and three CIF Player of the Year awards. Julie was voted Los Angeles Times’ High School Player of the Decade for the 80’s.

Most important to Julie, she has made a difference off the field as well. She was accepted into Stanford University’s Medical School but decided not to pursue a career in medicine. Julie was the President of the Women’s Sports Foundation from 2000-2002. She served on the Women’s Sports Foundation Board of Directors for 7 years and was a WSF advocacy consultant for two years, with a focus on Title IX, childhood obesity, and athletes’ rights issues. Julie also served on the Board of Directors for the WUSA (the professional women’s soccer league) as the Player Representative. Julie currently sits on the board of Athletes for Hope (AFH), a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization created by successful athletes who have a deep commitment to charitable and community causes. Julie is an espnW advisory board member and is a global spokeswoman for Global Girl Media, a new non-profit helping young women around the world find their voice through journalism. Julie also has been instrumental in a number of women’s rights and child labor issues around the world. The world governing body of soccer, FIFA, awarded her the FIFA Fair Play Award, the first woman and American to receive the award, for her work against child labor in the stitching of soccer balls.

Julie served as a member for the Commission on Title IX, appointed by President Bush and Secretary Paige. She has been honored numerous times for her work on behalf of Title IX. She received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Smith College in 2005 and was honored by the National Women’s Law Center.

Julie was recently named as one of the “100 Most Influential NCAA Student-Athletes.” The NCAA defines the 100 Most Influential Student-Athletes as those who have made a significant impact or major contributions to society.

Julie was inducted in the US National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2007, alongside longtime teammate and friend, Mia Hamm. Julie and Mia were only the 6th and 7th women ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and the first and only ALL FEMALE induction class.

Julie founded the Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy (JFSLA) in 2006, along with her husband Ian Sawyers. The JFSLA is a unique residential camp experience that uses sports as a vehicle to teach leadership skills for life. In 2006, Julie also founded the Julie Foudy Leadership Foundation (JFLF), a non-profit, 510(c)3 public charity. The mission of the Julie Foudy Leadership Foundation is: Building on a foundation of sports and fitness, we empower young women from all socioeconomic backgrounds to become leaders who positively impact their communities.

Julie is currently a reporter and analyst for ABC/ESPN, contributor and writer for espnW, director of her Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academies, motivational speaker, proud mother of two children, Isabel and Declan, and the best chocolate-chip pancake maker in the entire universe.

Brandi Chastain

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2013  –  Brazil
  • 2023  –  Australia
  • 2024  –  Portugal

U.S. National Team: A reserve forward during the first incarnation of her national team career, she earned 173 of her 192 caps primarily at defender from 1996-2004 … A consistent starter from 1996-2004, she became one of the best-known female athletes in the United States, and the world, after her 1999 Women’s World Cup heroics … Ended her career sixth on the all-time U.S. caps lists, but sits ninth in 2013 … 2004: Played in 20 matches, starting 13 … Didn’t play in the first three matches of the Olympics, but started and played the last three critical knockout games to help the USA win the gold medal … Had the assist on the first goal to Lindsay Tarpley in the Olympic gold medal match and helped set up Kristine Lilly’s goal against Germany in the semifinal … 2003: One of the most active players for the USA in 2003 before the Women’s World Cup, she broke a bone in her right foot in the first half of the first game of the tournament and missed the rest of the Women’s World Cup … Played in 14 matches overall in 2003, starting 13, spanning 1080 minutes, but just 45 minutes in the WWC … She had one goal and one assist, scoring on a penalty kick against Mexico at her hometown Spartan Stadium in the last match before the Women’s World Cup … Moved past Carla Overbeck and into sixth place on the U.S. all-time caps list … Her goal in 2003 was the 30th of her international career … 2002: Played in 15 matches for the USA, starting 14 and scored four goals … Three of her goals came from the penalty spot, one each in the three Nike U.S. Women’s Cup games … Was a member of the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup Team that qualified the USA for the 2003 Women’s World Cup … 2001: Played in three matches for the USA during a limited schedule for the national team … 2000: Played in 34 matches and started 32, tied for first on the team … Scored four goals with three assists, including a penalty kick to defeat Norway, 1-0, in the Algarve Cup Final … Also scored a brilliant goal off a free-kick against Japan in the Pacific Cup and a fantastic volley against Nigeria in the Olympics … Helped the USA to six tournament titles before the Olympics … 1999: Provided one of the greatest moments in the history of women’s sports with her 1999 Women’s World Cup-clinching penalty kick on the USA’s fifth shot in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final on July 10, 1999 at the Rose Bowl … Graced the cover of Time, Newsweek, People, and Sports Illustrated after she peeled her jersey off in celebration following her winning kick … Had one of the most eventful games in Women’s World Cup history, scoring an own goal against Germany in just the fifth minute of the USA’s Women’s World Cup quarterfinal match, then gloriously redeeming herself with a second half goal that tied the game at 2 2 … Named to the 1999 Women’s World Cup All Star Team … Played in 27 games for the USA in 1999, scoring five goals with five assists … Played in her 100th career game for the USA against Brazil in the semifinal of the Women’s World Cup at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, not far from her hometown of San Jose, Calif. … 1998: Was third on the team in minutes played with 1,894 … Scored five goals, four on penalty kicks, and had five assists … Saw considerable action in midfield after playing defense since rejoining the national team in 1996 … Helped the USA to the first ever Goodwill Games gold medal in the Summer of ’98 … 1996: Member of the gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s National Team at the 1996 Olympic Games … Started and played every minute of the USA’s five matches at the ’96 Olympics, despite suffering a serious knee injury in the semifinal against Norway … Called into training camp with the national team in September 1995 after spending more than two years away from the program … A forward for her entire youth, college and national team career, she converted to defender and started in the back for the USA on January 14, 1996, against Russia in Brazil, after having not appeared for the WNT since August 8, 1993 … Made a seamless transition from striker to defender during the first part of 1996 and earned a starting spot on the Olympic Team … Pre-1993: Was a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team that won the first FIFA Women’s World Cup in China in 1991, seeing action in two games, starting one … Holds the distinction of coming on as a substitute and scoring a record five consecutive goals in the USA’s 12 0 victory over Mexico in CONCACAF qualifying for the 1991 World Cup, her first international goals … Finished the CONCACAF tournament with seven goals … First Appearance: June 1, 1988, vs. Japan … First Goal: April 18, 1991, vs. Mexico (scored five goals).

Professional / Club: One of the WUSA’s founding players, she was allocated to her hometown San Jose CyberRays for the 2001 inaugural season … 2003: Played in 15 games, starting them all, but missed several games at the end of the season with a leg injury … Scored one goal with four assists and was named to the All-WUSA Second Team … Voted as a starter to the WUSA All-Star Team, and scored a goal in the game … 2002: Played in 18 matches for San Jose, playing forward at times, and scored four goals with three assists … Named to the All-WUSA Second Team … Voted as a starter on the WUSA North All-Star Team, receiving the most votes of any player … 2001: Led her club to the first-ever WUSA championship … A member of the All-WUSA First Team … Played in 19 regular season games for the CyberRays, scoring two goals with five assists … Etc.: Played professionally in Japan for Skiroki Serena in 1993, earning team MVP honors and was the only foreigner to be selected as one of the league’s top 11 players in 1993 … Played women’s club soccer for the Sacramento Storm, the 1997 Western Regional Champions.

College / High School: Finished her college career at Santa Clara University in 1990, leading the Broncos to two Final Four appearances … Was named a First Team NSCAA All American in 1990 and All Far West selection in 1989 … Attended the University of California Berkeley in 1986, earning Soccer America Freshman of the Year honors while partnering with U.S. teammate Joy Fawcett … Sat out the 1987 and 1988 college seasons after having anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery on both of her knees before transferring to Santa Clara for her final two seasons … Scored 32 goals and added eight assists in three college seasons … Attended Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, where she led the team to three straight state championships.

Personal: Full name is Brandi Denise Chastain … Always up for a pick-up game … Was a full-time assistant coach at Santa Clara for two seasons and then a volunteer assistant … Is married to Santa Clara head women’s soccer coach Jerry Smith … Earned a degree in Television and Communications at Santa Clara … Should be noted that in her years as a college player, Chastain never lost to Julie Foudy of Stanford … Named as one of People Magazine’s 25 Most Intriguing People of 1999 … Also #97 on Street & Smith’s 100 Most Powerful People in Sports for 1999 … Appeared on the “Late Show with David Letterman” before and after the ’99 Women’s World Cup and several times since … Threw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium following the Women’s World Cup victory, and did so at Wrigley Field in 2001 … Appeared with FIFA President Sepp Blatter, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and Pele at a New York City press conference in November of 2001 as FIFA announced the dedication of the 2002 World Cup … Enjoys reading, running with her dogs and playing scrabble on her computer (in which she is still undefeated and looking for a challenger) … Aspires to create a rap duo with LaKeysia Beene and tour the world … Also enjoys spending time with her family and friends, having BBQs and baking parties … Appeared on “Jeopardy!” in January of 2001, donating half her winnings to the Children’s Cancer Research Fund … Realized her childhood dream of playing professional soccer in Spartan Stadium (home of the CyberRays), where she was a NASL season ticket holder and grew to love soccer … Created a cheering section at CyberRays home games in honor of her late mother, Lark, because she was the greatest cheerleader in the world … … Participated in the preliminary draw for the 2006 World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany at the end of 2003 … Serving as the sideline reporter for ESPN’s MLS broadcasts during the 2005 season … A correspondent for Fox’s “NFL Under the Helmet” where she goes on the road to do features on NFL players … New hobby is sewing and knitting sewing and knitting which may yield a new line of goodies for women and men who aren’t afraid to be bold … Is now up to speed with the 21st century and got wireless Internet, but is still a big believer in hand-written letters.