M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

Kicking Back
by Mike Morrow

On the way home the other night, a bumper sticker caught my eye: SOCCER IS LIFE.

It may be that way in the eyes of the world, which next month will be focused on the World Cup. But it’s not that way with Aleisha Cramer, a sophomore at BYU and one of the finest women’s soccer players in the United States.

Several weeks ago, Cramer told April Heinrichs, coach of the U.S. national women’s team, that she would not play any games on Sundays out of respect for the Sabbath. It was a courageous and bold statement, one that Cramer didn’t have to think twice about.

She is not the first LDS athlete to make that commitment – the now defunct Zion Pioneerzz of the Western Baseball League would not play home games in St. George, Utah, on Sundays – but Cramer may be jeopardizing her soccer career because of it. U.S. national team games are often played on Sundays, as are games in the professional Women’s United Soccer Association.

Cramer, according to Heinrichs, "is the most impactful player in women’s college soccer today. She changed the game. At (the age of) 19, that’s about as good a compliment as you’ll get from me without calling her the next Michael Jordan."

Cramer, however, doesn’t want to be like Mike. She wants to be more like the Savior. "...the gospel of Jesus Christ was my number one priority, and in the long run, that was going to make me the happiest," she said in an interview.

Fun is as fun does
In her first two seasons at BYU, Cramer led the Cougars to two Mountain West Conference championships. She earned honors for her play and was a nominee for the Hermann Trophy, given to college soccer’s top player.

"Soccer isn’t life, and I’m the first to say that," said Cramer. "But it sure is fun."

As good as she is, let’s not forget she is a teenager.

"There is a big river about 10 minutes from campus," she told U.S. Soccer in an interview. "There is a huge tree that you can climb to get up to a rope swing. It’s definitely scary climbing that tree. They nailed little boards to the tree for you to step on, but you think that each one is going to fall every step you take.

"Once you get to the top, you have to step over this huge branch, which is even more terrifying when you look down, and then you are finally on a wood platform. Now, you have to jump because there is absolutely no way you are climbing back down that tree. It’s about 30-feet above the water, but it looks much higher when you are up there. You grab the rope swing and hold on for dear life. Then, it is critical that you must let go at the perfect time so you can land in the water that is deep enough. I bet my soccer coaches are real happy to hear what I am doing with my down time."

There is little down time, though. In the classroom, Cramer is an outstanding student; on the field, she is one of the best.

She played in nine games with the U.S. women’s national team and was also a key player for the U.S.’s under-21 team that won the 2001 world championship. However, because of her classroom and other commitments, her playing time has been limited this year. But that was her choice.

Provo props
"If you’ve ever been to Provo, you probably know that there is not a heck of a lot do," said Cramer. "But after two years at BYU, I am starting to realize that the city and surrounding area has a lot to offer – you just have to be creative.

"Most of my time during the college season is spent on the soccer field, traveling to the soccer field or coming back from the soccer field. I have a great group of friends and we always have fun. The coolest thing is that we have fun just doing nothing. It’s amazing that we can laugh as much as we do just hanging out."

Cramer, according to U.S. Soccer officials, has an unlimited future in the sport; however, people understand there are higher priorities in her life – and they accept and respect that.

Worth repeating
Gary Webb, a sportswriter with the Daily Spectrum in St. George, took note a few days ago of a comment made by David Stevens, a half-miler at Parowan High School.

Stevens ran 1:57.40 in the BYU Invitational, setting a state record, and in a post-race interview, reflected on the achievement.

Seeing his mother standing nearby, Stevens said, "it was neat, mom, but it wasn’t as neat as seminary was last week."

Final thought
Well, there’s really no time for a final thought. The telecast of Arsenal vs. Manchester United is starting.

Soccer anyone?

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