Sports Envoy
Sports Envoy Program

Region: Europe

Jacob Lyons

Breaking

Served as envoy

  • 2023  –  France
  • 2024  –  Nigeria

Jacob “Kujo” Lyons is a deaf/hard of hearing b-boy, choreographer, teacher, and motivational speaker, based in Los Angeles, California. He has been breaking for over 30 years and is considered a pioneer of a number of movements now accepted as standard breaking vocabulary.

He has judged many of the largest international breaking competitions in the world, has taught at nearly all levels (from street corners in India to universities in Japan), has presented his choreography in international festivals of dance and circus, and has worked with US Embassies in various countries under a variety of US State Department-sponsored programs.

He has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Kinesiology, and his knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics and fundamental human movement permeate his classes and workshops. Many of these workshops – often in concert with ILL-Abilities Crew – have been geared towards the differently-abled population, in which basic b-boy movements are adapted to fit a wide variety of limitations.

Kujo now serves as the Chair of the Officials Committee in Breaking for Gold USA, the Breaking Division of USA Dance, which is the organization tasked with sending American breakers to the 2024 Olympics in Paris. In this role, Kujo oversees the certification of judges for Olympic-related events, trains the judges, teaches our judging system to athletes and coaches, and aims to uphold the highest standard of conduct and excellence in judging.

Kia Vaughn

Basketball

Served as envoy

  • 2023  –  Czech Republic

Kia Vaughn, newly retired WNBA player. Played 14 seasons in the WNBA. Also played 13 seasons in Europe, where I won a Euroleague title in Prague. Played for Usk Praha for 5 seasons and was also the MVP of that Euroleague title.

Danielle Robinson

Basketball

Served as envoy

  • 2023  –  Czech Republic

Born in San Jose, CA Danielle has enjoyed a lengthy career in both the WNBA and Europe. Heading into her 12th season in the W, she is really looking forward to being a part of the Atlanta Dream and helping the organization continue to grow. She has traveled and played all around the world with Prague being her favorite stop of her time overseas. I’m her 3 years in Prague she won the Euroleague title in 2015, a memory her mom was able to experience with her. She’s so thankful for all that the game has given her and is even more excited to be able to share it with the next generation!

Brett Kurtz

Ice Hockey

Served as envoy

  • 2023  –  Latvia

Brett Kurtz is currently the Senior Manager for Fan Development Marketing for the National Hockey League’s Anaheim Ducks and oversees the award-winning Anaheim Ducks S.C.O.R.E. (Scholastic Curriculum of Recreation & Education) program using the sport of hockey to teach in-class educational initiatives benefiting 50,000 children annually.

Kurtz, originally from Joliet, Illinois developed his passion for the game of hockey playing with his older brothers. He attended the University of Wisconsin on a hockey scholarship where he made two final four appearances with one national championship title.

He received his B.A. in Communication Arts from Wisconsin. After playing professional hockey in Sweden, East Coast and West Coast hockey leagues, he enrolled in graduate school at Loyola Marymount Film School in Los Angeles, California receiving a MFA in Radio, Television, and Film.

After completing his degree, Kurtz embarked on a television and film career both in front and behind the camera working in network television, feature films, and live hockey broadcasts.

During that time, Kurtz continued his connection with hockey by coaching youth hockey development programs and club teams including the Jr. Kings, Jr. Ducks, and Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League.

Kurtz now lives with his family in Orange County, California. He continues to use his background in ice hockey, and knowledge of the film and television industries to encourage and positively effect change in his community.

Molly Schaus

Ice Hockey

Served as envoy

  • 2023  –  Latvia

Molly played goalie on the U.S. Women’s Ice Hockey team from 2008-2015, winning 2 Olympic Silver Medals and 4 IIHF World Championships. She graduated from Boston College in 2011 with a degree in Human Development and was named to the BC Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 2018. She has 10+ years of experience working in youth sports, community engagement, and education, including 5 years with the Anaheim Ducks Fan Development team. She is currently an Athlete Fellow for LA28, the Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and a youth hockey coach for the Anaheim Lady Ducks.

Christina Murillo

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Montenegro
  • 2023  –  Colombia

Christina Murillo Sanchez is currently a Director for Chicago Fire FC and oversees 13u-15U age groups as well as being an Olympic Development Coach. She supports the Chicago community in her role through fundraising and outreach efforts that support with creating more opportunities. She previously was signed to Chicago Red Stars back in 2018 and in 2017 competed in Champions League with Gintra Universitetas getting to the round of 16. She represented the Mexican National Soccer Team from 2009-2018 and participated in the World Cup at the U17, U20, and Senior Level receiving 46 caps with the senior national team . Murillo was one of the first women to be part of the FIFA video game back in 2015. At University of Michigan, she competed with the team from 2011 to 2015 while taking off the 2014 season to train and compete at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She was captain of the University of Michigan and made the all-Big Ten Tournament team her senior year. Murillo currently holds the record for most assists in a game at her university and was the first student athlete from Michigan to participate in a FIFA World Cup at the senior level.

Jennifer Grubb

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Greece

Jennifer is the owner and primary therapist at Cairn Consulting, LLC. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor who is passionate about helping two groups in particular: athletes who are facing the next level in the sport, addressing injury, or transitioning away from sport; and members of the LGBTQIA+ community who want to live into their authentic selves.

Additionally, Jennifer is a former professional soccer player who has represented her sport on both a national and international level during her nearly 20-year competitive career. Some of Jennifer’s notable accomplishments are:
● Representing the US Women’s National Team between 1995 and 1999
● Earning the title of “Iron Woman” for having played every minute of every game in a 3 year professional career
● Earning All-Star team selections in 2001, 2002, 2003 (WUSA)
● Becoming the first defensive 4-time All-American at the University of Notre Dame
● Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 1998 and 1999
● 4-Time Big East Champion and 4-Time Big East All-Tournament Team

After retiring from her playing career, Jennifer pledged to continue sharing her love of sports by supporting athletes as they address the unique demands that athletes face, especially as they pursue goals and overcome barriers related to reaching the next level in their performance.

Off the field, Jennifer’s leadership experience includes starting a violence prevention program utilized in elementary and middle schools, previously sitting on the Board of Directors for an organization that provides direct programming for grieving children and their families, being trained as an instructor for Teen Mental Health First Aid, and being a spokesperson for a campaign that provides free community education in grit and resilience. She currently holds a position on the ARC ND (Alumni Rainbow Community of Notre Dame) board of directors, a group that is committed to inclusion of and equity for the LGBTQIA+ community at the University of Notre Dame.

Tara Koleski

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Greece

Tara Koleski is the current UWS FC Arizona Head Coach and FC Arizona Girls Director of Coaching.Koleski was the former Head Coach at Dominican University of California and former head coach for two seasons at NCAA DI UMBC and 3 seasons NCAA DII West Chester University.Tara was named the 2005 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Northeast Region Coach of the Year, the Southeast Pennsylvania Coaches Association (SEPCA) Women’s College Coach of the Year, and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Coach of the Year. Tara was the head coach of the semi-professional Rochester Reign of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) and an assistant coach at Villanova University (2002).

As a player, Koleski competed at the NCAA DI level for University of Portland attending 2 final four tournaments awarded with honors for All-American, Offensive player of the year for WCC conference and team MVP. Koleski competed with the US U-21 National Team, and attended several US National Team pool camps. Koleski spent 2 season in the German Bundesliga for 1. FC Saarbrucken and was drafted in the 11th round to the first Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) professional league in the USA (2000-2003) playing for the San Diego Spirit and Philadelphia Charge.

Tara holds a USSF B license and NSCAA premier diploma.Tara has a Masters degree in Strategic Non-Profit Management from Harvard University, Certification in Entrepreneurship Essentials from Harvard University and a Masters Degree in Administrative Leadership from Northern Arizona University also with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology from University of Portland.

Kirby Burkholder

Basketball

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Albania

I was born and raised in small town Bridgewater, Virginia. I started my basketball career at Turner Ashby High School where I hold the all-time scoring and rebounding records, and have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. I continued my career at James Madison University, winning 2 CAA championships and holding CAA Player of the Year honors. I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Sports and Recreation Management.

After graduating, I played 9 years professionally, mainly overseas. I played in Italy (2 years), Belgium, Hungary (3 years), Poland, and Puerto Rico. I was also part of the inaugural season of Athletes Unlimited, a new up and coming Women’s Professional Sports League in the United States. I will continue to play in season two this year and currently serve on the AU Player Executive Committee for women’s basketball.

Since retiring from playing overseas, I have worked in various youth basketball organizations gearing towards providing guidance, training, and leadership to youth sports initiatives. I am currently working with Slam City Management Group: one of 16 flagship programs of the Jr. NBA. Slam City works with local youth to provide opportunities to grow on and off the court through training and team programs, and is also connected to international federations by way of USA Basketball and FIBA to bring students to the US to gain higher educational and playing experience. I am dedicated and engaged to bring more awareness and support especially to women and girls in sports and providing them with more opportunities.

Maren McCrary

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Montenegro
  • 2023  –  Saudi Arabia

Maren Hendershot McCrary is a retired professional soccer player, former Team Handball U.S. National Team member, U.S. Soccer Federation Coach Educator, Olympic Development National Team Head Coach, U.S. Soccer Youth National Team Assistant Coach, U.S. Youth National Team Scout, elementary Physical Education teacher, and Color Commentator for NET broadcasting.

McCrary was a 2- time Division I All-American forward at Brigham Young University where she is still the school’s second all time leading scorer. During her time at BYU she was a 4-time all conference player and 2-time conference MVP She also won a national championship and MVP of the semi-pro W-league. After graduating, McCrary, was drafted to the Carolina Courage and then traded to the San Jose CyberRays and played professionally for three years in the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA), the first professional women’s soccer league in the USA. After retiring from professional soccer, McCrary played Team Handball for the United States National Team. McCrary, who was inducted into the BYU Hall of Fame in 2010, has coached at the Division I, Division II and NAIA college levels and held multiple Technical Director and Director of Coaching roles in youth soccer. McCrary has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and holds a USSF “A” license. In her role as a Coach Educator she instructs, leads and mentors coaches in their coach development.

Coach Maren loves her multi-faceted work in soccer that allows her to have a positive influence in the game in various capacities. She feels extremely fortunate for the opportunities, experiences, education, and empowerment that soccer has provided to her and she hopes to continue to open doors and opportunities for other females by educating and empowering women and girls through the game of soccer.

Maren and her husband Josh live in Denver, Colorado and have three children: daughters, Cumorah and Jordan, and son, Justis.