This fall has been so insiring in so many ways. First off, just the last two weeks have been filled with the two coolest events for women in sports that I have ever been a part of. It started off at the beginning of October when I attended the inaugural espnW retreat. I am excited to be on the Advisory Board for espnW that is launching in 2011. Finally a place within ESPN that is dedicated to us women!! A long time coming, but I can say that the right people are behind it and have the right vision for where to take it. The event itself was filled with meetings, panels, kayaking, surfing, and a live intimate concert with Jewel. Every aspect of it absolutely rocked because those that have the POWER to make change were all in one place SHARING, NETWORKING, GIVING ADVICE. I left there feeling so PROUD to be a female athlete and even more proud for the future of women’s sports. After that event, I flew up with Adam and Caleb to Portland, where I emceed the “Voices for Athletes” event at Nike. I interviewed athletes preparing for the 2012 Olympics in front of an audience about their stories, their training, and what it means to play for USA. So bummed I can not play with them in 2012, but excited Nike is sharing the stories of their athletes to Olympic sponsors. Last but not least, the Women’s Sports Foundation Salute to Women in Sports was last week in NYC. This is one of my favorite nights of the year (if not THE fav) because it is a celebration of ALL female athletes who have achieved success throughout the year. There is such diversity of sport, race, and age from Ashley Fiolek (X games gold medal motocross rider) to Billie Jean King, those without limbs who run 24 hour, 100+ mile races (Amy Palmiero-Winters) to my teammate Jennie Finch who retired from the sport this year. Best part about seeing all these amazing women? We get to have our hair AND makeup done by professionals and have a fun “girls night out” at the Waldorf in NYC. Makes me love being President of the Women’s Sports Foundation that much more. For more info on how cool WSF is, check out their website www.WomensSportsFoundation.org.

For now, I am packing for a SURPRISE vacation my husband has planned for about a year now. I leave tomorrow and have no idea where we are going. Excited for that. First time away together since Caleb arrived 14 months ago! Once we get back it is six weeks straight of college football. Make sure to tune in every Saturday night at 7:00 EST on ESPNU. My next game is Kentucky at Mississippi State October 30. See you all then!

Love it, Dream it Live it! Jessica Mendoza #2

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