Above left: Fans cheer for U.S. Women’s World Cup soccer team member Christie Rampone, left, during a welcome home celebration at Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s Kurr Atrium in Neptune on July 28. Above right: U.S. Women’s World Cup soccer team member Christie Rampone greets fans of all ages. With a gold medal around her neck and her husband and daughters by her side, fourtime Olympic medalist Christie Rampone was welcomed home by a huge crowd after she had helped lead the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup title.
Hundreds of children, parents and soccer enthusiasts packed the Kurr Atrium at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, on July 28 to welcome home the Point Pleasant native.
“It doesn’t get better than to come home to where it all began, to this warm welcome, and to be here with all these familiar faces in the crowd,” Rampone told the crowd.
PHOTOS BY STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC SUCAR Since winning the World Cup, — a 5-2 victory over Japan in the final on July 5— Rampone and her teammates have been traveling around the country, from Los Angeles to New York.
Rampone, who lives in Point Pleasant, is the spokesperson for the K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore, was welcomed back with a red carpet that was adorned with red, white and blue balloons and fans chanting “Christie” and holding up signs reading “Team USA” and “I wanna be like Christie.” “It’s been an amazing adventure coming back from winning the world championship,” said Rampone who starred in high school at Point Pleasant Boro and then continued her sparkling career at Monmouth University
Rampone has been captain of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team since 2008 and is captain of the Sky Blue FC team in the National Women’s Soccer League – the state’s only women’s soccer team.
She told attendees that she never expected to be where she is today and credits the support of her family, friends, teachers and hometown to helping make her the player and woman she is.
“At a young age I never expected to be on the stage today – having the gold medals, having the World Cup championships – as a quiet, shy young girl,” she said.
“It’s been an amazing adventure to be able to be a part of a community that I can go away, be on TV, but come home and just be me. … At the end of the day, you always have to remember where you came from, where it all started, and not get bigger than that.”
At the homecoming, Rampone urged younger attendees to dream big and to set their goals high.
“Being home and where it all started, I hope that everyone who watched the World Cup we inspired to do bigger and better things,” she said. “…Whether it’s soccer, whether it’s sports, whether you want to become a doctor, an artist, just go after it and set your goals high and dream big.”
Monmouth University Athletic Director Marilyn McNeil honored Rampone for her fearlessness, her dedication and the accomplishments she has achieved since graduating from the university.
“The U.S-Japan final this past month was the most-watched soccer match of all time in the U.S.,” she told the crowd. “Girls and women playing sports have taken on new meaning.”
“You inspire me … and I know you will continue to inspire all those around you. You are the best Hawk we have and we’re thrilled with all your accomplishments and what you have done for young women and girls – and all the Hawks.”
Rampone’s former Point Pleasant teacher and high school field hockey coach, Judy Goldstein, who met her in fifth grade, told attendees that Rampone has opened up a “world of believing” by empowering young girls and women that they can achieve anything they dream.
“Christie has shown how it is possible to do anything you believe in,” Goldstein said. “She became a woman who knew that an obstacle was just something to overcome.”
“Christie has done much to further woman in sports. She has been a true leader in so many ways and has become the woman she was meant to be – a woman young girls can look up to and admire.”
New York Giants Hall of Famer and Meridian Neuroscience Spokesperson Harry Carson commended Rampone on the inspiration she has given people across the globe.
“What you have done on an international stage has and will inspire millions of fans young and old, female and male, rich and poor, to strive to be the best in whatever they choose to do,” the former captain said.
During the event, Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders Gary J. Rich Sr., Serena DiMaso and Thomas Arnone honored the county native with a proclamation naming July 28, 2015 Christie Rampone Day.
“She is a great inspiration and role model both for her contributions on the soccer field and in her community,” Arnone said.
Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno also honored Rampone with a proclamation signed by Gov. Chris Christie.
“I suspect some of you call her coach, many of you call her friend, but I call her a local Monmouth County hero,” Guadagno said. “I can’t tell you how much fun it was to watch my three boys and my husband sit and watch the World Cup finals this year because the conversation was all about girl power.”
“Christie is breaking barriers and teaching young girls that they can do anything they want to do.”
Rampone took time at the end of the event to sign autographs and take pictures with her eager fans.