Sports Envoy
Sports Envoy Program

Sport: Soccer

Rodney Wallace

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Trinidad and Tobago

Rodney Wallace is a Bilingual Sports Analyst, Motivational Speaker, Entrepreneur and Retired Professional Soccer Player. Rodney has appeared on Fox Sports, Fox Deportes, US Soccer Federación and ESPN.

Born in Costa Rica, Rodney moved to the United States at age 9. He overcame all adversity to become a NCAA Champion, MLS Cup Champion, Comeback Player of the Year, Brasil Serie A Player, Liga Nos Player, and Costa Rican National Team Player in which he appeared at the highest level in 2018 FIFA World Cup. Rodney continues to give back the game that taught him so much through clinics and training local youth.

Maren McCrary

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Montenegro

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.

Louise McGirt

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Benin

Louise McGirt is a French and American citizen who started her passion for soccer at the age of 3. She led her high school team at Chamblee with 22 goals and 12 assists as a junior. After leading Atlanta International School in scoring (12 goals) as a freshman. She captured the Soccer Bulldog Award in 2013 after an All-Star Game selection for 2 years running and a spot on the All-Region 6 AAAA team. She captained the Chamblee Charter team in 2014 and also helped club teams, Chiefs FC Elite 96 and the Georgia Olympic Development Program to a slew of championships, including three USYS Region III Premier League titles.

Jaimel Johnson

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Benin

Jaimel Johnson’s illustrious coaching career has allowed her the opportunity to interact with players on various levels of age, ability, and acumen over the last decade. Jaimel spent 4 years as an assistant coach at The University of Texas. During her tenure she was instrumental in helping both the Longhorns and former Utah Royals goalkeeper, Abby Smith, to a record 30 shutouts and a .82 goals against average. Before joining the UT staff, Jaimel spent 2 years at the University of Iowa as an assistant coach. Jaimel was drafted in the inaugural season of the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league to the Boston Breakers, and she was later traded to the Chicago Red Stars. Her professional career also boasts time with the Washington Freedom.

Not only a standout in the coaching arena, Ms. Johnson was a 3-year starter at the University of Tennessee where she was an NSCAA All-American and 3-time All-SEC First Team honoree. Jaimel made 4 consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament with the Volunteers, won 2 SEC Championship titles (one being a Triple Crown), and she still holds the record as the only Tennessee Lady Vol soccer player to receive the SEC Tournament MVP Award.

As a Lady Vol, Jaimel was nominated as the NCAA Woman of the Year and placed on the Herman Trophy Watch List. Jaimel played club and academy soccer with the Dayton Soccer Academy (DSA) and the Ohio Elite Soccer Academy. Recognized as one of the premier goalies during her playing days, Jaimel spent time with the US National Teams on the u17, u19, and u20 teams. She earned a Bachelors Degree in Sports Management with a minor in Business from the University of Tennessee.

Jaimel currently resides in the Atlanta area where she is president and CEO of “The Goal Standard”, her private goalkeeper training academy. Additionally, Jaimel is the ECNL goalkeeper’s coach at Concorde Fire Soccer Club in Atlanta. She serves as an assistant coach for field players, the goalkeepers coach for the entire club, and she also is responsible for directing the majority of the club’s fitness training. Jaimel places an emphasis on overall health and wellness for her players, and she dedicates much of her down time researching methods in which an athlete’s performance can be enhanced. When Jaimel is not on the soccer field she continues to work in the fitness arena as a personal trainer specializing in sports performance, weight loss, and weight gain.

Seth Taylor

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2022  –  Kyrgyzstan

Seth Taylor is an author, Life Coach, and expert in psycho-education regarding trauma and healing. His work with athletes and their coaches in many sports and at many levels is to educate people regarding the nature of trauma and healing and how to bring that understanding to communities around the world.

Seth coached soccer professionally for 20 years, working with youth of all ages as well as at the college level. His current clientele consists of pro and college athletes in a variety of sports.

Seth is 46 years old and lives with his wife and 2 children in Seattle, WA. He holds a Masters Degree in Theology and Culture and has authored several books, including “Feels Like Redemption – The Pilgrimage to Health and Healing” and “On Frame – Exploring the Depths of Parent.”

Kei Kamara

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2021  –  Sierra Leone
  • 2021  –  Virtual

To Kei Kamara, his home country of Sierra Leone means everything to him. Born in Kenema on Sept 1, 1984, he spent his childhood days like most African youngsters – playing soccer/football. By 1990, his mother left for the US and the country was in the middle of a bloody civil war that lasted 12 years. Fearing for their lives, Kamara and his family fled their home, eventually seeking refuge with his mom in 2000 in Los Angeles, California.

As a 16-year-old refugee Kamara, quickly found the structure and support he needed to graduate high school, and soon developed into a top goal scorer at nearby California State University Dominguez Hills. By 2006, he garnered attention from Major League Soccer and was drafted 9th overall by the Columbus Crew.

Over the past 15 years Kei has had an illustrious professional career that has included stints in the English Premier & Championship Leagues, and Veikkausliiga, the top division in Finland. He currently ranks 5th on the all-time MLS goal scorers list and is one of only 10 players to score over 100 goals. Kei has also represented Sierra Leone (Leone Stars) on the national stage for 12 years and helped lead the team to the 2021 African Cup of Nations Tournament for the first time since 1996.

While he’s enjoyed success on the field, Kei holds Community works close to his heart. In 2012, The Kei Kamara HEARTSHAPEDHANDS Foundation was founded with the sole purpose of providing scholarships to schools and students in Sierra Leone, West Africa. The foundation, named after his signature goal celebration, has allowed Kamara to follow his heart and use his hands to give back to the place he loves.

When the Sierra Leone government recently created free education for all, Kamara shifted the focus of his Foundation to help students earn an education through sports to study abroad. In the Fall of 2021, HSH helped its first-ever student athlete secure a scholarship to a prestigious Waldorf boarding school in New England and is currently working with other students for the same potential opportunities.

In addition, Kei has also been an active board member of the Black Players for Change (BPC) organization “committed to tackling racial injustices that have limited Black people from an equitable stake in the game of soccer and society.”

When he’s not playing soccer, Kei likes to spend time with his wife Kristin and three children – Kierin, Kendrick, Kaelan, and dog Chelsea (affectionately named after his favorite soccer team). If you know him you will know that family is his number one priority whether in Sierra Leone or in America

Jessica Clinton

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2021  –  Morocco

Jessica Clinton, former women’s soccer associate head coach at Boston University, was named head women’s soccer coach at Fordham in January of 2014.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Coach Jessica Clinton to Fordham,” said Fordham director of athletics David Roach. “After an extensive search it became clear that Jessica was the individual we wanted to lead our women’s soccer program. Her experience, passion and drive make her the ideal person to coach our soccer student-athletes. I look forward to working with Jessica and anticipate a bright future for women’s soccer here at Fordham.”

In her first six seasons at the helm, Clinton has put the Rams in the Atlantic 10 Championship hunt, making the title match for just the third time in team history in 2015, while qualifying for the championship in 2016, 2018, and 2019. During the 2015 run, Fordham won 13 games, just one shy of the program record, and set team marks for shutouts (11) and goals against average (0.84). The team was also listed in the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Rankings for most of the year, finishing the year tenth.

Individually, five Rams received postseason honors, led by Jessica Widmann, who was First Team All-Atlantic 10, First Team NSCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Region, and a Third Team CoSIDA Academic All-American®. Kristina Maksuti, Nicole Bates, and Ally Doyle each earned Second Team All-Atlantic 10 honors with Brooke Salmon receiving All-Rookie Team accolades.

In 2016, four Rams received postseason honors, highlighted by Bates, who was First Team All-Atlantic 10 and ECAC All-Star, Third Team NSCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Region, and a Third Team CoSIDA Academic All-American®. Doyle also earned First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors with Bates, while the duo also received NSCAA Scholar Athlete All-East Team. Salmon also earned Second Team All-Atlantic 10 honors with Margaret Roughley being placed on the conference’s All-Rookie Team.

2017 saw more awards for Fordham, as the team was once again a recipient of the United Soccer Coaches (formerly the NSCAA) Team Academic Award and the Ethics & Sportsmanship Award. Salmon earned Second Team All-Atlantic 10 honors for the second straight season, while Clara Gastaldi earned a spot on the Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference Team. In addition, the Rams set a new school record for team goals against average at 0.82.

The Rams matched that goals against record again in 2018 at 0.82, while also setting a new shutout streak record at 416 minutes, which included four consecutive shutouts. Three Rams earned All-Atlantic 10 accolades, as Salmon was a First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection, while Gastaldi and Roughley were both named to the Academic All-Conference Team. Gastaldi received additional academic honors as a Google Cloud/CoSIDA First Team Academic All-District selection.

In 2019, Fordham saw two players selected to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team in Danielle Etienne and Kristen Cocozza, marking the first time since 2003 that the Rams had multiple All-Rookie selections. In addition, Etienne made her first appearance the the Haitian National Team, appearing in the Caribbean CONCACAF qualifiers for a spot in the Olympic qualifying tournament.

In her first full year at the helm in 2014, Clinton led Fordham to eight wins overall, which began with a 6-1 start, the team’s best-ever start through seven games. The team also tied a program record by recording six consecutive victories.

In addition, Fordham was recognized three times by the NSCAA, receiving the Team Academic Award for the sixth straight season, while also earning the Ethics & Sportsmanship Award for the first time in 2014, which recognizes teams that exhibit fair play, sporting behavior and adherence to the laws of the game, as reflected by the number of yellow caution cards or red ejection cards they are shown by referees throughout the season. Fordham was one of 82 teams that claimed the Silver Award, which is given to teams that accumulate no red cards and a maximum of five yellow cards. The Rams were the only Atlantic 10 team among the 125 honored schools.

Clinton arrived at Rose Hill after serving on the staff of her alma mater, Boston University, for six years, first as an assistant coach from 2008-2012 and then as the associate head coach in 2013.

In 2013, Clinton helped the Terriers to the Patriot League regular season and tournament championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Boston University, who entered the NCAAs ranked 25th in the nation, defeated Harvard University in the first round before falling to ninth-ranked Santa Clara, 2-1, in the second round. Nine members of the team received All-Patriot League honors while four received NSCAA All-Region accolades.

As an assistant coach, Clinton guided Boston University to America East Conference regular season titles for five straight years (2008-2012) and four consecutive tournament championships (2008-2011). The Terriers received NCAA Tournament bids each season from 2008 through 2011. The 2011 season was the best in program history as Boston University went 19-3-1 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament after claiming their fifth straight America East title. The Terriers had a program-best 14 game winning streak that fall en route to securing the most victories in a single season (19).

Prior to her stint at Boston University, Clinton served as an assistant coach at St. John’s from 2007 to 2008. Clinton has also coached within the youth club NEFC since 2009.

Clinton has been a member of the U13 and U15 Region 1 Olympic Development Staff since 2009 and a Senior Staff member for the U15 age group.

As a player at Boston University, Clinton was one of the Terriers’ most accomplished keepers. She sits at the top of the school record books in saves in a season (98) and saves in a career (312), while also ranking seventh in career goals-against average (1.10) and sixth in career save percentage (.802).

The 2003 America East Goalkeeper of the Year, Clinton was a member of three AE championship teams (2000, 2001, 2003). She was an America East All-Conference First Team honoree in 2001 and 2003, while collecting NSCAA All-Northeast Region Team honors as a senior. In addition, Clinton trained with the Boston Breakers of the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) for one season in 2003.

Clinton is a holder of NSCAA National and Advanced Diplomas, as well as a USSF “B” and “C” Licenses. She also received the Bob McNulty award which is named in honor of Bob McNulty, a former national staff coach, who instructed “C” courses for many years. The award is given candidates who best represent coaching and the important role it plays in the development of young people.

The Valley Stream, N.Y., native graduated from Boston University in 2004 with a degree in hospitality administration.

Marsha Harper

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2021  –  Morocco
  • 2021*  –  Morocco

Marsha Harper is the seventh head coach in women’s soccer history at American University, announced Director of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Billy Walker on December 29, 2019. Harper joined the Eagles after two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Massachusetts, during which time the Minutewomen went 21-12-4.

Harper was part of a full coaching staff change at UMass, working with head coach Jason Dowiak who was a former mentor and colleague from the University of South Florida. While at UMass, Harper was directly in charge of all internal operations such as the development of practices, recruiting, social media, compliance and admissions for the women’s soccer program.

Prior to her time at UMass, Harper spent two seasons at Richmond, another Atlantic 10 Conference program. She has also had assistant coaching stints at Bowling Green State University (2015) and Northwestern State University (2014).

In addition to her tenures as an assistant coach at the collegiate level, the USF double-graduate has spent time coaching at the club and Olympic Developmental levels.

After completing her collegiate playing career, Harper volunteered as an assistant coach at USF in the spring of 2014 while also serving as a staff coach for the Future 50 Soccer Camp.

Harper was a member of the University of Florida women’s soccer team for three seasons before transferring to USF in 2011. She served as captain for the Bulls during the 2013 season. The collegiate defender earned her bachelor’s degree in applied science in 2012 and her master’s degree in exercise science at USF in 2014.

*denotes virtual program

Thomas Dooley

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2018  –  Trinidad and Tobago

Considered one of the key players for the USMNT in the 1990’s, Thomas Dooley brought the professionalism he earned through years in the German professional leagues. The son of a US serviceman, Dooley was eligible to represent the United States and he took that option in 1992. Appearing in the 1994 and ’98 World Cups, Dooley captained the USMNT in France. After 14 years in the German leagues, including a German Cup win with Kaiserslautern in 1990 and a UEFA Cup win with Schalke in ’97, Dooley signed with Major League Soccer and joined Columbus in the summer of ’97. He retired in 2000 and was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2010.

Shannon MacMillan

Soccer

Served as envoy

  • 2006  –  South Africa
  • 2010  –  Argentina
  • 2011  –  Guatemala

Shannon enjoyed a career with the US Women’s National team for 12 years; playing in 176 games and scoring 60 goals.

During that time she won a gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and another gold as an alternate for the 2004 Greece Olympics. She also played a vital role in winning the 1999 Women’s World Cup and followed that up with a third place finish in the 2003 Women’s World Cup. In 2002, Shannon was named the US Soccer female athlete of the year. Shannon was a member of the US Soccer Envoys that conducted clinics in South Africa and Guatemala emphasizing the value of teamwork, respect, and leadership. In 2016, Shannon was elected to the US Soccer Hall of Fame.

In February of 2014, Shannon was inducted into the Cal South Hall of Fame.

Shannon currently holds a USSF National “B” license. She is a Certified Advance Sports Technology Facilitator. Shannon also is a Fox Soccer and ESPN/SEC analyst, covering matches such as the U17 and U20 Women’s World Cup.

Prior to joining the Sharks she was the Assistant Coach for the UCLA Womens team for two years, 2007-2009, helping lead the Bruins to two final four appearances. She is a 2008 Inductee to San Diego’s Breitbard Hall of Champions. Shannon graduated from the University of Portland with a degree in Social work. She was also a four time All American for the Pilots and the winner of the prestigious Hermann Award as college soccer’s top player in 1995.