Sports Envoy
Sports Envoy Program

Region: Europe

Bradley Emmerson

Sledge Hockey

Served as envoy

  • 2016  –  Slovakia

A member of the National Team since 2003, Brad Emmerson got his chance to compete at his first Paralympic Winter Games in 2006, and was a major contributor for the bronze medal-winning squad. Emmerson tied for second on the team in scoring (two goals, three assists) and in plus/minus rating (+4).

Emmerson is now a veteran on the U.S. Paralympics Sled Hockey National Team, and has held a slot on the national team for five years helping lead the U.S. to a bronze medal at the 2008 IPC Sledge Hockey World Championships in Marlborough, Mass., the 2009 World Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic and a gold medal in 2010 Japan Para Ice Sledge Hockey Championships. Emmerson was also part of the 2010 gold medal U.S. Paralympis Sled Hockey National Team.

In addition to his years on the national team, Emmerson has spent eight years with the Buffalo Freeze sled hockey club and now has been named the first-ever head coach of the Novice Buffalo Sabres sled hockey team.

Off the ice, Emmerson spends his time speaking to students throughout the northeast about overcoming obstacles to achieve goals with hard work and belief in one’s self. Emmerson also blogs about his experiences with Team USA right here on the U.S. Paralympics Web site.

Erin Constock

Snowboarding

Served as envoy

  • 2010  –  Armenia

Respected, resilient, and eminently stylish, this snowboard industry veteran is one of the few women to have graced the cover of Transworld Snowboarding magazine, not to mention clocking film parts in more videos than you can shake a shredstick at. Yep, Erin Comstock is a high-profile rider who gets much love from the media for her über-smooth park riding and keen powder prowess (as well as that dazzling smile of hers). As such, she’s an inspiration to any female pro rider looking outside the “contest-pro” box in search of making a living as a legit “film pro.” La La Land, See What I See, Vans’ Lucid Dreams, Park City’s I Ride Park City and City. Park City, Roxy’s Labor Of Love—these are just a few of the film titles that include Erin in their rider roster, and there’re undoubtedly many more to come.
A natural born athlete and true child of the mountains, Erin grew up in Lake Tahoe riding every single day. She played soccer at San Jose State University, before transferring to the University of Utah and the nearby shred playground of the Wasatch Mountains. Erin has called Salt Lake City home ever since, where she can be found in equal parts riding the city’s urban rail offerings, polishing her tricks on Park City’s jump and jib line, dropping into the Utah backcountry, and of course, boarding planes for exotic snowboard locales around the world.

After suffering a broken collarbone in the fall of 2008 that kept her off the snow until February of last season, Erin has a new appreciation for the confidence that comes with good health and mindset. She spent the summer fine-tuning her physical and mental game, shredding it up at her High Cascade Signature Session at Mt. Hood, and getting her ducks all in a row for ’09/10. Says, Erin, “I’m lining up the film crew I’ll be working with this year and I’m so excited for another season of riding!”

Amber Stackhouse

Snowboarding

Served as envoy

  • 2010  –  Armenia

Amber Stackhouse is a Renaissance woman whose list of talents goes far beyond her skills on a snowboard. She’s been a sponsored pro rider for a decade now—but she’s also a self-made filmmaker with a keen sense of the creativity and community involved in snowboarding. With that said, Amber’s growing into a new role here at Roxy. Amidst a hectic schedule of shredding her heart out, she’ll also be heading up the filming, production, and direction of the ’09/10 season’s Roxy Snow web videos (she produced and co-directed last season’s Roxy Snow podcasts, too).

Originally from the Northeast wilds of Portland, Maine, Amber first stepped on a snowboard in 1995 and quickly fell in love. Her passion for the shred took her west to Mammoth, where she honed her smooth riding style along with a lethal set of park and powder skills, before moving to her current home of Salt Lake City. Amber was at ground zero when the women’s snowboarding movement exploded in the early 2000s, and sick of seeing the talent around her going undocumented, she decided to do some documenting of her own. In 2004, she co-founded Misschief Films and released two groundbreaking all women’s snowboard movies (As If and Ro Sham Bo), followed by the production of Roxy Snow’s team movie Labor Of Love.

A fiercely loyal friend who is always down for the crew, Amber’s continually on a mission of self-improvement. She spent the ’09 summer in Sweden gaining an in-depth knowledge of film and camerawork to put to use during the winter. “At the moment I’m more interested in capturing and conveying the riders as individuals, as well as their snowboard skills,” she says. “It’s the bigger picture, so to speak.” We can’t wait to see what this talented lady creates, both on snow and on film.

Michele Carmichael

Special Olympics Swimming

Served as envoy

  • 2019  –  Malta
  • 2022  –  Belarus

Michele Carmichael had her very first experience with Special Olympics when she was only 13 years old and was asked to be a swimming volunteer. She has been involved ever since and chose her career as a Special Educator. She has been a certified Special Olympics coach in many sports since the 1980s and has volunteered in almost every aspect/role of Special Olympics.

Michele served as World Games coach and head coach five times and
attended 10 World Games. She started the first high school program for students with Intellectual Disabilities on a regular/mainstream campus in 1989. Michele retired from teaching after 38 years but continues to volunteer with Special Olympics, Unified Sports, and high school swimming and water polo programs.

Alec Heuermann

Special Olympics Swimming

Served as envoy

  • 2019  –  Malta

My name is Alec Heuermann, I am 22 years old. I live in Northern California with my mom and dad and 3 younger brothers. I am a college student studying Mechatronics at Sierra College.

I am also a swimmer for the West Placer Special Olympics here in CA. I have also competed for golf, flag football and bowling. I recently completed the Global Messenger Training with the Special Olympics. I am passionate about competing in Special Olympic Sports and also about the Mission of Special Olympics and the Unified Sports Movement.

I have always enjoyed sports but I especially like skiing and swimming. I began competing in swim during my high school year for my school team and local rec summer leagues. After I finished high school, I aged out of competition in both leagues. Luckily, I found and joined the Special Olympics. I have been competing now for 4 years. I was lucky enough to win a spot at the state summer games all 3 years but this summer the summer games are cancelled because of Covid-19. The highlight of my Special Olympic Career was competing in the World games in Dubai in March 2019. I competed in swimming and won 2 silver medals in the 200 Free and 4×100 free relay. It was amazing to see athletes compete in 24 sports and 190 nations were represented. It was amazing!! Athletes young and old and from every background were brought together to compete at their level. I made lifelong friendships with both athletes and coaches… it is an experience I will never forget.

After the World Games, I had another fantastic opportunity to spread the message of Inclusion thru sports via the 360 Envoy program. In October 2019, I traveled to Malta with the Special Olympics national swim coach Michele Carmichael and US Olympic Medalist Donna De Varona. We spoke about the importance of Special Olympics and its focus on the spirit of inclusion through the Unified Sports Program. We presented to the University of Malta college students and faculty as well as coaches and PE teachers working in the local high schools. We spoke about how they can create unified programs in the schools and why it is important. As a result, University students then served as a practicum experience in local SO Malta programs.

We also got to present to the media and local NGO’s re the importance of inclusion in their programs. My favorite part were the inclusive swim clinics that were held with the local schools and Special Olympic Athletes. This was a first in Malta and it was a lot of fun for all involved.

The people of Malta couldn’t have been warmer hosts and the message was embraced with open hearts and minds. Again an unforgettable place in the friendships we made and the country was a spectacular backdrop to such an incredible week.

Other engagements that I have spoken at are the California State Capitol where I was recognized for my efforts at the World Games. I was also awarded a ceremony at Sierra College, Rocklin City Council and for the local school district as a “Student Who Makes a Difference”. Lastly, I was featured on local tv stations, magazines and newspapers. Most importantly, all of these events gave me a platform to speak about the importance and message of inclusion and unified sports.

In the future, I hope I am awarded more opportunities to not only compete in sports but to speak to others about how sport can bring us together. I plan to remain active in the unified sports movement.

Donna De Varona

Swimming

Served as envoy

  • 2019  –  Malta

At age 13, Donna de Varona was the youngest member of the United States swimming team at the Olympic Games Rome 1960. The San Diego native broke 18 world records by the age of 17, and won two gold medals when she competed in the 400-meter individual medley and the 4×100 freestyle relay at the Tokyo 1964 Games. She was named Female Athlete of the Year by both the Associated Press and United Press International. Following retirement at competitive swimming at age 17, de Varona began a successful sportscasting career. She was both the first female sportscaster and first woman to cover the Olympics for television in the United States, covering the Olympic Games for ABC in 1968, 1972 and 1976. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in political science from UCLA. She helped co-found the Women’s Sports Foundation and served as the organization’s first president from 1976-84. She also worked as a consultant to the United States Senate, specifically regarding the Amateur Sports Act to give women and minorities greater access to athletics facilities and money. De Varona was inducted into the Women’s Sports Hall of Fame, the President’s Commission on Olympic Sports and International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Bill Doyle

Volleyball

Served as envoy

  • 2016  –  Moldova

Apex Director and coach, Bill Doyle, was introduced to volleyball in the early 70’s on the sand at the Naval Amphibious Base in Little Creek Virginia. Over the years he developed both a passion for both playing and teaching the game. Coach Doyle began working with the Rhinebeck High School Volleyball program in the late 80’s and became the Junior Varsity Coach in ‘91 and the Varsity Coach in ‘92.

From there, he and some Rhinebeck athletes joined what was then known as Mid-Hudson Juniors Volleyball. Within a few years Coach Doyle inherited the club and moved its center to Poughkeepsie, NY.
In 1994 Doyle signed on with Vassar College where he helped coach the Men’s team to become the ’95 Division III National Champions. In 1997 Mid-Hudson Juniors rebranded as Apex Volleyball and won their first Regional Championship in the 15u age group, moving on to Denver Colorado to compete in the Girls Junior National Championships. As Apex succeeded over the years, Rhinebeck did as well as a top performer in a crowded Section I, finishing as Class C champions twice. In a twenty-two year career Doyle coached Rhinebeck to nearly three hundred wins, perennial post-season play, seven Sectional Championships, six League Titles, four State Final Four appearances, and two years as State Runner-Up.

During 2001-2002 Coach Doyle also served as the Head Coach For the Bard Raptors Men’s and Women’s Volleyball programs finishing second in conference with both teams. At Apex, Doyle has been the Director since 1993. He has coached four Regional Championship teams as well three runner-up teams. He has coached four teams to place in the Girls Junior National Championships.
Coach Doyle also serves as an Officer of the GEVA Board of Directors.

He is currently in his Third term as the Junior Director and Director of Sport Development. He also serves as the Director of Garden Empire Volleyball High Performance Program. He founded the program fifteen years ago and has nurtured it to the present state of excellence. In the program Coach Doyle has served as the Head Coach for 2015 National Select Bronze Medal High Performance Championship Team and Head Coach for 2017 National Youth Gold Medal High Performance Championship Team.

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.”

Cindy Parlow Cone

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2006  –  Bahrain
  • 2008  –  El Salvador
  • 2010  –  Azerbaijan

Current: Currently President of United States Soccer Federation. Prior to this, Parlow Cone served as Vice President for a year before being inducted as President. She was also inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2018.

U.S. National Team: One of the greatest scorers in U.S. history, she retired from international soccer in 2006 after having played 158 times for the USA while scoring 75 goals, good for fifth all-time on the U.S. scoring list … Also had 31 assists in her nine-year National Team career … Youngest player ever to win both an Olympic gold medal and a Women’s World Cup title … Played in her final international match on Dec. 8, 2004, a 5-0 win over Mexico that was also the final game for Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett and Brandi Chastain … 2004: Played in two matches at the 2004 Olympics, starting one … Played in 24 total matches, starting 11 and scored 10 goals with eight assists, finishing third on the team in scoring behind Abby Wambach and Mia Hamm … Scored six of her 10 goals in two games, getting hat tricks against Haiti at the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament and against Ireland on the “Fan Celebration Tour” … Her two hat tricks gave her seven for her career, moving her past Michelle Akers and putting her in second place on the all-time hat tricks list, one behind Mia Hamm … 2003: Started 17 of the 19 games she played, scoring eight goals with one assist … Became just the fifth player in U.S. history to score 60 or more goals (there are now six) … Scored four goals against England on May 17 in Birmingham, Ala., it was her first-four goal game for the USA … Started five games during the Women’s World Cup, scoring two goals, both on headers, against Sweden and Nigeria … 2002: Scored 11 goals, second best on the team, in just 14 games, all of which she started … Scored twice in a big 4-0 win over Norway on April 27 … Scored six goals across four consecutive games, sandwiched by two-goal games on July 21 (a 4-0 win over Norway) and Oct. 2 (a 4-0 win over Australia) … Scored five goals in the 2002 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup, including a hat trick in the 7-0 semi-final win over Costa Rica that earned the U.S. a berth in the 2003 Women’s World Cup … 2001: Played in three matches for the USA during a limited schedule, starting all three and scoring one goal, that against Germany in the only game of the 2001 Nike U.S. Women’s Cup … 2000: Had a breakout scoring year, leading the team with 19 goals and seven assists … Had four hat tricks, one short of a U.S. record for a calendar year … Had back-to-back hat tricks in the Pacific Cup on June 2 vs. Canada and June 4 vs. New Zealand, making her only the second U.S. player to ever score three goals in two consecutive games … Played in 31 games, but only started 15, scoring a goal for every 76 minutes on the field … Was one of just two players to come off the bench for the USA in their run to the silver medal in the 2000 Olympics … Played a total of 112 minutes across the five Olympic matches … 1999: Started all six games for the USA in the 1999 Women’s World Cup, scoring two goals with two assists, including the first goal against Brazil in the semifinal … Emerged as a starter for the USA in March of ’99 after finally overcoming a nagging hamstring injury … Also scored in the USA’s 7 1 win over Nigeria in Women’s World Cup first round play on a diving header … 1998: Saw limited action for the USA in 1998 due to senior year commitments to North Carolina, but played in 13 games, starting seven, and scored goals against world powers Norway and Germany … Was a member of the Goodwill Games gold medal-winning team during the summer of 1998 … Won U.S. Soccer’s first Chevy Young Female Athlete of the Year Award in 1998 … 1997: Scored the winning goal in the championship game of Nike U.S. Women’s Cup ’97, heading in a cross from Kristine Lilly in the 2 0 win over Italy … 1996: Was the youngest member of the gold medal-winning team at the 1996 Olympics at age 18 … Scored twice in her full U.S. National Team debut against Russia on Jan. 14, 1996, in Campinas, Brazil … 1995: First trained with the U.S. Women’s National Team in March 1995 … Youth National Teams: Played with the U.S. Under 20 National Team at the 1997 Nordic Cup championship in Denmark in 1997, scoring twice in the tournament to lead the USA to the championship … Also played for the U.S. Under 21s at the Nordic Cup in Holland in the summer of 1998, leading the team in scoring with two goals … Was also a member of the U 16 National Team pool … First Appearance: Jan. 14, 1996, vs. Russia … First Goal: Jan. 14, 1996, vs. Russia.

Professional / Club: A founding player in the WUSA for the Atlanta Beat … 2003: Helped the Beat to the Founders Cup championship match with a solid season that included three goals and five assists as she started 17 of the 18 games in which she played … Played mostly in the midfield for the Beat … Named as a reserve to the WUSA All-Star Team … 2002: Started 18 of the 19 games in which she played, scoring five goals with four assists … Helped the Beat to the playoffs for the second consecutive year … 2001: Helped lead the Beat to the WUSA championship game … Scored the game-winning goal in sudden death overtime against the Philadelphia Charge in the WUSA semifinals … Had five goals and seven assists for the Beat during the regular season, finishing 10th in the league in scoring … Was named to the All-WUSA Second Team … Etc.: Her Memphis Football Club won the state championship from 1990 1995 and finished second in the nation at the U 17 level in 1995 … Her club won regional championships in 1992 and 1995 … Named MVP at the 1995 Under 17 U.S. Youth Soccer national tournament.

College / High School: Ended her career for the University of North Carolina with 68 goals and 53 assists in 103 games … The consensus top player in college soccer in 1998, she won both the Hermann Trophy and the M.A.C. Player of the Year Award, joining Mia Hamm as the only two time winner of both awards … Also won the Hermann and M.A.C. after her junior year … Helped UNC to an undefeated regular season and to the NCAA championship game in 1998, leading the team in scoring with 21 goals and 11 assists … Led UNC in game winning goals with seven and was named 1998 ACC Player of the Year … Named a First Team NSCAA All American four times (1995, ’96, ’97 and ’98) … As a junior, she helped UNC to the 1997 NCAA championship, scoring 13 goals with 18 assists … Scored the game-winning goal in the final … Was a First Team All ACC selection in 1996, ’97 and ’98 and the MVP of the ACC Tournament in 1997 … Named to the NCAA All Tournament Team all four years … Overcame early season injuries to lead North Carolina to the 1996 NCAA championship as a sophomore … Scored 15 goals and had 11 assists for 41 points and was a finalist for the 1996 Hermann Trophy and M.A.C. Award … Was the Soccer America Freshman of the Year in 1995 … Voted All ACC and ACC Rookie of the Year as a freshman … Had 17 goals and 12 assists in her freshman year at UNC … Entered the University of North Carolina after completing high school in three years … Named the 1994 Tennessee High School Player of the Year … Was a three time all region and all state selection at Germantown High … Was also honored as MVP of state and regional tournaments … Was one of only two players in Tennessee prep history to score more than 100 goals in a career (105 in just three seasons) and is the all time state leader in assists with 83 … Was also a two time high school All American … Named school MVP in basketball as a freshman.

Personal: Full name is Cynthia Marie Parlow Cone… Nickname is “CP” … Was a member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll from 1996 1998 … Enjoys golf, reading and watching movies … Grew up playing soccer against her three brothers (two older and one younger) … Had a 4.0 GPA in high school and ranked in the top five percent in her class … Majored in Education at UNC …Graduated from UNC with honors… Favorite movie is “Shawshank Redemption” … Favorite athlete is Lance Armstrong … Favorite restaurant is The Latern, an Asian fusion place in Chapel Hill, but her favorite food is “anything my mom cooks”… Her favorite book is “The Power of One” by Bryce Courtenay … Has a street ( Cindy Parlow Drive ) named after her in her hometown of Memphis , Tenn. … Holds her own soccer camps in Chapel Hill, North Carolina as well as Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Briana Scurry

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2011  –  Germany

With an integral role on the team that set the standard for women’s soccer, Briana Scurry is widely recognized as one of the world’s most talented and influential goalkeepers. Her 173 international appearances as one of the first African-American professional female soccer players helped significantly diversify the sport.

Named starting goalkeeper for the United States Women’s National Team in 1994, she led the team on an illustrious run that included two Olympic gold medals. In the 1999 FIFA World Cup Championship – which represented one of the most seminal events in American athletic history – Briana made the iconic shootout save that carried the United States to victory.

Briana pioneered the first paid professional women’s soccer league as a founding player in 2001. As captain of the Atlanta Beat, she competed in two WUSA Championships. In 2010, Briana suffered a debilitating concussion that led to her retirement. Since then, Briana has repurposed her visibility to become one of the nation’s foremost thought leaders on traumatic brain injuries.

Through her immeasurable impact on the landscape of women’s soccer and American sports culture, Briana received the National Association of Black Journalists’ Sam Lacy Award, inclusion in the United States Women’s National Team’s All-Time Best XI, and a permanent feature as the Title IX exhibit in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. In 2017, Briana was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

As one of the first African American and openly LGBT professional female soccer players, Briana Scurry has championed diversity and equality throughout her legendary career. The epitome of a team player with a palpable love of the game, Briana draws on her resiliency to advocate for equality, traumatic brain injury awareness, and the development of women’s soccer. Briana channels her ability to overcome obstacles to provide insight on the importance of teamwork, motivation, focus, and strategies for leveraging personal strengths.