Sport teaches me how to be dedicated to any challenge.

As a child, Sarah loved to swim, and can’t ever remember not loving water sports. Although it took her a while to warm up to competitive swimming, she now appreciates the doors that it opened – including being able to walk onto a Division 1 crew team, and also enjoy many other water-related activities.

Sport teaches me persistence and humility.

Randy appreciates that sports have helped him set tangible goals, create a training regime, be disciplined throughout the process despite ups and downs – and ultimately be accountable to himself. This all seems to have worked, because in October 2017 – two years after breaking his right femur – he completed his first Portland Marathon.

Sport has taught me perseverance and patience.

Debbie enjoys being in motion, which is why running suits her. After her father passed, she started running to process her grief. Over the years, she ran farther and faster, ultimately running a marathon in three hours and 28 minutes. Sports has taught Debbie to work towards goals, and also to be kind to yourself during setbacks.

Sports teaches me how to have balance.

Athleticism hasn’t always come naturally to Maryam, but that didn’t stop her from pursuing sports. Today, Maryam uses that same determination to get her through her spin classes. She understands that sports are just as much mental as they are physical and it’s just a matter of finding your balance.

Sport teaches me things I use in life every day.

Billy’s love for athletics started with basketball, his favorite childhood sport, which he continued to play through college. During his freshman year, he was a candidate for the NCAA Academic All-America® program, which recognizes student athletes. Billy credits sports with providing him with valuable life skills including dedication, teamwork and humility.

Sport teaches me to remain humble in victory and gracious in defeat.

As a child in Tucson, AZ, Brian began playing soccer at age six. He also paid attention to basketball, and to this day is an avid University of Arizona Wildcats fan. A man of eclectic interests, Brian enjoys gardening, travel, and collecting African art. He’s also a geography buff and can name just about every world capitol.

Brian grew up with an expansive back yard and an even bigger appreciation for the outdoors. When he wasn’t on the trails hiking, he was playing youth soccer, running track, or watching Arizona Wildcats basketball. He now seeks out every opportunity to visit new places, but he’s happy to have crossed Peru and Croatia off his list.

Sport teaches me Connection to others and myself, and it teaches me to be present in the moment.

Chrissy became involved with the foundation after being told about a connection between MAF and De La Salle High School – another organization she is involved in. She loves finding new things to do in the Portland area: local shops and events, restaurants, and hikes!

Sports teaches me that there is a place for everyone.

As a child, D’Anne began playing sports because she loved being part of a team and the support that came with it. As an adult, D’Anne loves to get lost in a good book or go for a hike. She’s a big believer of the saying, “Things Happen for a Reason” and uses her experiences as opportunities to improve.

Sports teaches me the joy of a supportive and inclusive community

Inspired by the 1972 summer Olympics, Denise found the sport of swimming and was instantly hooked. She would compete in the freestyle stroke event, and now hikes and cycles to stay active. Denise’s fun fact is that she worked two summers at Crater Lake Lodge Dining Room and misses those views.

Sport has taught me discipline, fair play and connection to fellow man.

An accomplished baseball player in his youth, George was a winning pitcher in the 1957 High School Legion World Series Opener and was also inducted into the Portland Interscholastic League (PIL) Sports Hall of Fame. He considers himself analytical, a good listener, and finds that he gets more tolerant as he grows older.

Sport gives me confidence and gratitude.

Jacqui’s journey in athletics started at age three when she began skiing with her family and when she began racing at age seven, she never looked back. In the winter you can find her on the slopes still as a ski coach for Lakeridge High School, but the rest of the year she’s either biking, working on her new house, or spending time in Black Butte.

“Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.” Oscar Wilde

Jennifer’s favorite sport as a kid was Karate. A friend said she wanted to try it, and Jennifer said that sounded interesting. The friend never showed up, but Jennifer did and loved it. After practicing and competing for four years she is forever grateful for that childhood friend.

It’s not what happens to you, but how you react that matters – Epictetus

Born and raised in Chico California, Jenny now resides in Portland and cherishes her love of running. An athletic achievement of Jenny’s is qualifying for and then running the Boston Marathon, no small feat indeed.

Synchronized swimming is part of who I am.

Julie’s father taught her to swim in Crescent Lake, OR, and she’s loved the water ever since. As a youth she participated in water ballet and swam during high school and college. At MAC Julie discovered synchronized swimming and has competed at the national level. She’s also musical and played oboe in the high school band and orchestra.

Everyone tries the best they can at that moment in time.

Katherine’s favorite sport growing up and to this day is soccer. She played when she was a kid and has held a love for the game ever since. She attributes sports to teaching her important life skills like teamwork, resilience, and compassion.

Athletics and movement create freedom to be the best version of yourself.

Linda grew up in Portland playing soccer through high school where her team earned third in state her senior year. She always felt soccer was about connecting to relationships and community. Linda has continued her love of the sport through coaching both of her boys’ soccer teams from kindergarten through 4th grade.

Check back for Mike’s bio soon!

 Sport teaches me “It is what it is.”

As someone who participated in sports all through his youth, Tom now finds that his greatest enjoyment of in sports comes from living vicariously through his kids. When he isn’t at work or watching athletics, he is on his John Deere tractor plowing his seven acres of horse property while wearing his 1986 vintage Oregon State hat.

Everybody does, but not everybody lives

Traci was born and raised in Portland Oregon and shares her many years experience in the local philanthropic world. When asked who her favorite sport or player was she enthusiastically responded with “Michael Jordan, of course!”

Athletics makes me feel inspired.

 Lisa can best be described by three words: focused, adaptable and exuberant. She loves to travel and wander globally, has visited 38 countries, and is still counting. You can often find Lisa outdoors hiking, biking, running, climbing, diving, skiing or surfing. Her words to live by: “If not me, who? If not now, when?” – Hillel

Sports has taught me when it’s ok to let things go and move forward.

Emily participates in a wide variety of sports and activities. As a child, she played Ultimate Frisbee and attended baseball games with her father. As an adult, she rows on a dragon boat team, bikes and practices yoga. Physical activities make her feel “smiley and strong.” Emily also enjoys baking, learning French and exploring Portland.