Sports Envoy
Sports Envoy Program

Region: Ivory Coast

Juergen Sommer

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2010  –  Ivory Coast

A native of Naples, Florida, Sommer brings with him 8 years’ experience in the European professional league, where he enjoyed international acclaim as a player with Luton Town Football Club and Queen’s Park Rangers Football Club where he was the first American to play in the coveted English Premier League and was named Goalkeeper of the Year in 1993. Juergen’s playing career also encompassed playing with the Columbus Crew and New England Revolution where he was an MLS Allstar. In addition, Juergen’s acclaimed playing career also included representing the United States Men’s National Team over a 14 year period playing World Cups in 1994 and 1998. As a college player, Juergen was a four year letterman and captain for the Indiana University Soccer team and was a 1988 Division 1 National Champion, Defensive MVP of the 1988 NCAA Championships and was 1990 National Player of the Year in College Soccer.

After Juergen retired from playing in 2002 he served as assistant coach for the Men’s National team for the World Cup, Copa America, and Gold Cup tournaments. In 2013 Juergen was named Director of Soccer and Head Coach of the Indy Eleven.

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.

Joanna Lohman

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2015  –  Argentina
  • 2015  –  Thailand
  • 2016  –  Botswana
  • 2017  –  Ivory Coast
  • 2018  –  Niger
  • 2019  –  Nigeria
  • 2021  –  Virtual
  • 2022  –  Virtual
  • 2024  –  Cambodia

Joanna Lohman is a keynote speaker and performance coach. She is a former professional soccer player and member of the United States Women’s National Team. She is the first player in Washington Spirit history to have her jersey retired, honoring her 16-year playing career where she built a platform for social impact. She is the author of, Raising Tomorrow’s Champions, and an authenticity activator. She continues her influence as a Sport Diplomat and global leader who has shared her message with organizations all over the world, including: The Minnesota Vikings, The Human Rights Campaign, Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Qualcomm, Lifetime Television, Sanofi, American Staffing Association, McDonalds, CNN and universities all over the country.