Amie Becker is the General Manager of the SeaLions

Soccer News: Amie Becker on Amie Becker, New Senior Women's Editor for SoccerNation

• I’m not, nor have I ever been a professional soccer player.
• I have never played Division 1 ball.
• I have never played for a prestigious SoCal youth club, or any club for that matter. 
• I am neither technically gifted, nor tactically sound.

What I am is a passionate fan of the World’s most beloved and beautiful game, and a fervent advocate for female athletes. 

I was born and raised in New York City. I was adopted at birth and I know nothing about my birth parents other than the fact that they were of Portuguese decent, which in retrospect might just explain a few things…I was raised Jewish on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and as is customary of a child growing up on the “UES”, I was carted off to a very reputable private school. I never quite fitted in there, and always felt that there was something missing from my rather haughty and academically focused lifestyle. 

My family had a house outside the city in Westchester County, in which we spent most of our weekends to escape the hustle and bustle. It was up there at the age of nine that I joined my first soccer team. We were called the Bedford Bombers. A more suitable moniker would have been the Bad News Bears. We never won a game. Losing didn’t bother me one bit.  I adored the game, the camaraderie and the competition. I had tasted the apple and I was hooked. 

I played soccer throughout my childhood and through high school. My high school was home to the typical academic, over-achiever, so needless to say, serious athletes were scarce. That being the case, it was fairly easy for me to make the varsity soccer team as the one and only freshman. I had an amazing experience with the Horace Mann Lions. In my senior year I was voted Captain and MVP of my squad. I was on top of the World. 

Although my dad was a big supporter of my passion and never missed a high school game of mine, soccer was never really encouraged nor taken seriously by my family. It was through no fault of their own. My parents knew nothing about the sport, and since none of the other kids in their social circle were pursuing athletics as a career (heaven-forbid), I don’t think it ever occurred to them that they should attempt to nurture my talent and seek out more professional coaching. As a result, once I left for college and was outside of my private-school bubble, I quickly realized that in the grander scheme of the soccer World, I really wasn’t very good. 

My father passed away in a plane crash right before I left for college. It hit me harder then I would ever realize. I lost sight of who I was and who it was I wanted to become. I went ten years without touching a soccer ball. 

By the time I moved to San Diego in early 2003, I had reached a pivotal point in my life. I was finally dealing with my dad’s sudden death. Immediately I started looking for teams to play with, and even considered working for one in the area. I came across the website of the San Diego Spirit (WUSA). I interviewed with them, but they weren’t hiring at the time so I offered to volunteer if they ever needed additional help on game day. They were so impressed by my offer and genuine interest that they hired me on part-time. I worked full-time regardless. I couldn’t help myself. I loved the game and the energy around the office was infectious. I ended up as a top sales producer, winning an award for “Most Inspirational Employee”. Shortly after, the entire WUSA ceased operations and the future of the women’s game became uncertain. 

I was then picked up by the San Diego Sockers, where I went from a position in sales to Director of Operations by my second season. The Sockers folded in 2005. I went on to work in advertising and marketing, but always kept one toe in soccer should an opportunity (any opportunity) arise. I coached at Santana High school, sat on the board of Alliance Youth Soccer Club, and took a part-time job with US Soccer handling the coordination and logistics of Youth National Team training camps and matches. 

In late 2008, my friend Lu Snyder, President of the San Diego SeaLions, called me and said that they she, along with owner Scott Dreher, were working on a Business plan to bring a women’s professional team back to San Diego. She was aware of my reputation in soccer and felt that I could help get the SeaLions to the next level. Without hesitation, I left the ad firm and signed on, seeing this as the ultimate opportunity to make an impact on the women’s game and get it the recognition it deserved.

In my second season on the job I was following up with some members of the media, checking contact information for some upcoming press releases I wanted to distribute. I attempted to go to the XK San Diego website and was redirected to “SoccerNation.com”. I had never seen it before. I poked around on the site for a few minutes and came to the rather hasty assumption that the editor-in-chief of this site was definitely sexist. There wasn’t one shred of information on the women playing this game. Enraged, I sought out the offender’s contact information. That was how I met Diane Scavuzzo. Not a sexist at all, but in fact a woman herself, who was learning the ropes in the soccer industry and more than willing to cover our ladies.  

Diane became a great friend, colleague and pioneer of the women’s game.  A year later she approached me and asked if I would like to come on board and help her launch a new section of the site dedicated solely to women’s soccer. My reply, “one hundred and fifty percent, yes”.

 

SoccerNation asked Amie Becker questions on what is like to be a successful woman in the world of soccer...I know you will enjoy her answers!

SN: What were your thoughts about joining the editorial staff at SoccerNation?

Amie Becker: "I am so very privileged and thrilled to be in this position.  I don’t hold a degree in Journalism or Communications, and I didn’t minor in English, but I have a great passion for this game. There is no greater honor for me than to have the opportunity to give women’s soccer a voice.  My hope is that the World takes notice and starts affording these remarkable athletes the attention and respect they so deserve."

SN: Biggest problems/challenges you have experienced in achieving your goals? How were they overcome?

Amie Becker: "Biggest problem is the lack of support for soccer in the U.S. As a result it’s hard for teams to survive. I’ve struggled to keep my career going and to try and promote the love of the game. There is still a very long road ahead. I think it’s also tough to prove yourself as a powerful woman in an industry that is predominantly male. I deal with male coaches and administrators on a regular basis, and I think getting them to take me seriously is always a challenge."

SN: Best advice for women starting out in a career?

Amie Becker: "Be patient and don’t give up. There will always be skeptics and people who tell you it can’t be done. If you are passionate about something and you truly believe in it then go for it. That’s the key to personal and emotional success, which at the end of the day is more important than anything else."

SN: What factors helped you to be successful?

Amie Becker: "Sheer, unadulterated Passion and love for the game. The desire to see something grow and to be a part of its success."

SN: Was it hard as a woman getting into the sports business, and how is it now that you are there?

Amie Becker: "I started from the bottom and worked my way to the top. I think success in any industry is hard, but as I’ve said if you have the drive and the passion, people will take notice. If you are willing to put in the hard time and treat those around you with dignity, you will eventually earn the admiration and respect of others in the business. Building my career and my personal relationships in soccer over the years has earned me credibility amongst my peers. It takes time and hard work, but it can be done and it’s worth it."

SN: What made you want to work in sports?

Amie Becker: "Simple. The love of the game. There’s no other sport I would want to work in other than soccer."

SN: What has been your experience been like working with the SeaLions?

Amie becker: "Nothing short of wonderful. I love every minute of what I do. The ownership group is wonderful. The players are incredible, and I love watching them grow and succeed as individuals, with their college teams, as well as within our organization. Plus…Game Day. A home game day is the ultimate high for anyone in the sports industry."

SN: What is your favorite part of your job?

Amie Becker: "The best part of the job honestly is seeing the look of excitement on the faces of the kids who come to our games. Nothing makes me feel greater pride than when I see a little girl’s face light up when she gets to meet her role model. Those small moments make everything I do completely worthwhile."

SN: What is the most important advice you would give a college student who is about to head into a sports related career field?

Amie Becker: "It’s all about sacrifice and hard work. If you are truly passionate about the sport you are going to work in, then go for it. There are not a lot of people in sports who make the big bucks, so if it’s about money for you then find a new career. This is an industry for people with a vision who are willing to sacrifice for that vision. If you have a chance to volunteer, do it. If you can sell tickets, do it." 

SN: What is your career goal/dream job?

Amie Becker: "My goal is to see San Diego with a women’s pro soccer team again. My dream is that women’s soccer sees enormous success, and that soccer as a whole becomes as revered in this country as it everywhere else across the globe."

Amie Becker can be reached at Women@SoccerNation.com.  Please contact her with news on women's soccer for editorial consideration.

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The NEW Women's Soccer editorial section is sponsored by the San Diego SeaLions.  We deeply appreciate the SeaLions helping to offset the costs associated with this editorial coverage and want to acknowledge their tremendous support of women's soccer.

The SeaLions women's soccer team's home games are played at Cathedral High School on Del Mar Heights Road in San Diego.  We encourage all soccer enthusiasts to attend the games and show up for soccer.  Make your voice heard and come to the games!

WFC SeaLions one of the oldest female soccer clubs in the USA. The WPSL is a sixty-plus team national women's soccer league with five conferences and is considered one of the top women's soccer leagues in the world. For more information, please email Amie Becker.

The Women's Premier Soccer League WPSL is a 60-plus team national league for the Summer 2011 season and is the largest women's soccer league in the world. The league is sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) as an affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). The WPSL's mission is to provide the highest level of soccer in our effort to: bring affordable & quality family entertainment to the community; display positive role models for our youth; while, being a stepping stone for aspiring professional & international-level players.