Louise Waxler founded the KICKS Against Breast Cancer charity soccer tournament in 1996 in honor of her friend Claudia Mayer, who died of breast cancer at the age of 47. The photo above is the Penn State Women’s Soccer team and the Washington Freedom W-League team at this year’s Final Game.
From the Kicks Against Breast Cancer website: The 2008 KICKS Against Breast Cancer Tournament was held under a bright, sunny sky at the Maryland SoccerPlex on April 12th. After a full day of matches featuring some of the best schools on the east coast, the day culminated with a highlight match that featured the 2007 W-League Champions, Washington Freedom and the Penn State Nittany Lions. A crowd of over 1,000 cheered on their favorite teams. At the final whistle of the match, the Freedom topped the Nittany Lions with a score of 2-0.
The Interview
Louise is currently the Director of Operations for the W-League (and future WPS) Washington Freedom. She was the National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America‘s 58th President, is Director of Soccer Programs for the Maryland Soccer Foundation, is President of Integrated Sports Management, Inc., and has served as the Director of Operations/Grassroots Outreach for the Washington Freedom of the WUSA. Louise was the Chair of the NSCAA Women’s Committee and the Girls Youth Representative to the NSCAA Board of Directors. Additionally, she was the 1999 Women’s World Cup Coalition Chair for Maryland and served as the tournament director for both the WAGS and Soccer Association of Columbia tournaments.
Louise’s “labor of love,” KICKS Against Breast Cancer soccer tournament, has become American soccer’s initiative to raise money to help find a cure for breast cancer and to help women living with cancer to survive and thrive. This year was its 12th year of competition, and the tournament is still going strong!
Amanda: How is the KICKS Against Breast Cancer soccer tournament unique among the sports community?
Louise: KICKS Against Breast Cancer was the first charitable event held within the women’s college soccer community. It initially began with four women’s teams in 1997. Since the inception of the tournament, we’ve had a total of 35 college programs, 3 former WUSA teams, 2 USSF Youth National teams and 20 youth U17 teams that have participated in the event.
Amanda: What have players done to raise money for the cause?
Louise: Players have been very creative with their fundraising efforts – mother/daughter clinics, 5K races, proceeds from summer camp programs, t-shirt sales, selling candles in memory of those who lost their lives to cancer and donating funds from the gate at a regular season fall home game.
Amanda: What team/individual currently holds the record? How much money has KICKS raised overall?
Louise: Currently, Ohio State University women hold the fundraising record with more than $14,000 donated in one year. Overall, we have surpassed the $650,000 mark for the past 12 years.
Amanda: Can you give me a soccer recap the 2008 tournament, stand-out games, individual performances of note, moments of coaching greatness?
Louise: Ironically, I spent my entire day working the operations of the tournament and did not have the opportunity to watch one game – including the Freedom vs. Penn State match. For me, the highlight was having Charlotte present…. she has touched the lives of so many of the players who participated in the tournament. More than 60% of the players raised their hands when asked if they played for Region I Girls ODP.
This photo of Louise Waxler (l), Charlotte Moran (c) and Sue Ryan (r) was taken at the 2008 KICKS Against Breast Cancer Tournament.
Amanda: At this year’s player luncheon, Robin Miller, Administrator for the Washington Area Girls Soccer League and Charlotte Moran, USYS Region I ODP Girls Administrator, shared their own personal stories on battling cancer. Can you share their insight/stories with those of us who weren’t able to attend?
Louise: Charlotte’s message was “listen to your body” and take nothing for granted. She is determined to win the battle and refuses to ever give up. Robin is now cancer free having undergone a mastectomy just two weeks ago. Her immediate reaction when she was diagnosed was, “how could this happen and why me?” There was no history of cancer in her family. Robin’s cancer was detected by a routine mammogram. Both Charlotte and Robin encouraged the players to take care of themselves, their moms, sisters, grandmothers by having routine screenings and by conducting self examinations. These are two very incredible and brave women to have shared their personal stories with 300 young women!
Amanda: How has the internet helped you spread the message about the KICKS Against Breast Cancer Soccer Tournament?
Louise: The internet is an incredible tool in today’s society. It provides us with an opportunity to immediately update our message and reach out to our constituency. Email is extremely effective in spreading the word and having the ability to collect data via online ordering is great. It gives us immediate access to our donors.
Amanda: The growth of a women’s professional soccer league, and your position as the Director of Operations for the Washington DC Freedom, may provide KICKS an opportunity to spread the message with to a wider audience. Do you share this sentiment, and if so, how do you see WPS and KICKS Against Breast Cancer working together?
Louise: I absolutely share this sentiment. I would be honored if WPS would consider partnering in some capacity with KICKS. As you may know, the Disney Girls Showcase is a supporter of KICKS… we’ve had discussions about holding a match at the Wide World of Sports during the Showcase that could possibly feature two WPS teams. Disney would be willing to donate the proceeds from the gate to KICKS. I hope that someday this could become a reality. Our message would reach hundreds of young girls from throughout the United States and hopefully help us to continue to raise awareness.
Amanda: Is there anything you’d like to say about KICKS Against Breast Cancer, WPS, or any other initiatives you’re currently involved with?
Louise: I can only say that I feel blessed to be able to do what I do and to be associated with such wonderful individuals associated with the women’s game. We are all in this together – to raise awareness, take care of each other and make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. The women’s soccer community has enabled me to do just that!
For more from Louise, check out her interview with WPS on February 19, 2008. Here, she talks about how the Freedom kept their brand alive following the WUSA’s suspension of operations, how the Freedom will transition from the W-League to WPS and the WPS’s ownership group’s goal to make the league sustainable.
My blog, Soccer Science: The Neurotic Genius of Soccer in the Digital Age, takes a look at the new media technologies that are revolutionizing the way we see the beautiful game. I'm a web geek, former college coach, industry professional and sports fan. 
