Alyse LaHue's Blog (13)

back in time: my mother & sister

Remember when I said I would get better about blogging? That was about 2 months ago. If WPS COO Mary Harvey can blog several times per week, then I say to myself 'self... we MUST blog more if the COO finds time to blog!!!'. So the irony of this post is that I'm going to eventually incorporate a link to someone else's words. I grew up in a pocket-neighborhood called South Clinton in Clinton, Iowa. We were a 'pocket' because we were surrounded by either the Mississippi River, or train tracks. Or… Continue

Added by Alyse LaHue on March 27, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

Fasten your seatbelt...

I resolve to be better at this blogging thing. It has been so long since I have been gracing you with my literature. The good news is that I am so busy here in the Red Stars (frozen) annex, that I haven't had time. So prepare for a journey here people! Went into the Holiday break feeling good about the upcoming year, of course, because it is WPS-2009! What would have been a nice relaxing sit-at-home-and-do-much-about-nothing break was rattled by a tooth ache that was delivered to me the week be… Continue

Added by Alyse LaHue on January 14, 2009 at 12:35pm — No Comments

I am a WonderGirl

So, here I was fighting a bit of a cold all last week. You know, sinus congestion, a lot of kleenux use at work (splurge on the kind with 'lotion' in it... your nose will thank you). It is approaching winter in Chicago. You know what that means? That means I wish I could hibernate... I'll reappear approximately just before WPS opening weekend kick off. Deal? So the Red Stars Director of Operations doesn't exactly dig that idea, but I dislike the cold that much. My friend Jennae LOVES the winter.… Continue

Added by Alyse LaHue on November 18, 2008 at 4:01pm — 2 Comments

Charity Event, Shadowing Operations, & A New Dawn

I am really slacking on this blog thing. Or, as I prefer to say, I am very busy working here in the Red Stars office! There's been alot going on in the land of WPS and with the Red Stars and with the City of Chicago in general, so this will be a collection of short stories for your viewing pleasure. Short story A) "Red Stars Charitable Foundation Night at Underground" On October 28th we held our first Red Stars charitable event at the downtown Chicago nightclub Underground. It was the p… Continue

Added by Alyse LaHue on November 7, 2008 at 7:30pm — 3 Comments

Hello, You Have Reached the Operator

So one part of my job description is Operations Manager. If you wonder what that entails, so do I. It can range from helping someone fix their email problems on Outlook, reinstalling PowerPoint, scheduling flights for Coaches and staffers heading to league-wide meetings, decorating the office using Chicago flags and giant paper clips, scheduling events, washing and folding the hand towels in the office bathroom, lots of coach and player transportation to and from airports and to various events,… Continue

Added by Alyse LaHue on October 2, 2008 at 3:30pm — 1 Comment

Number Seven

I was sitting at my desk here in the Red Stars annex contemplating the last seven months. It was that long ago that I walked into our former office downtown and got asked by GM Marcia McDermott why I applied for an internship when I have a master's degree. My simple answer was that "I don't get called back when I apply for anything else". I'd like to think in hindsight she appreciated my direct response, as I began my internship with the Red Stars the next morning at an IWSL coaches' meeting. S… Continue

Added by Alyse LaHue on September 15, 2008 at 8:30pm — 5 Comments

Oprah & the Olympians

So my sister gets a call at 10pm on Tuesday night from a friend who wondered if she wanted a free ticket to the Millenium Park taping of the Oprah 'Team USA' show that was going to take place the following morning. Since my sister has a job, I was the next in line to get a ticket. Somehow I agreed to arriving to the Pritzker Pavillion in Millenium Park by 6am to meet Shawnie, my sister's friend's sister (got that?), whom I had never met nor seen. So I rose at 4am to embark on my big day! (I mea… Continue

Added by Alyse LaHue on September 4, 2008 at 4:26pm — 4 Comments

A Golden Birthday

So I was lucky enough to be able to celebrate my birthday last week by watching the US WNT take on Brazil for the gold medal. It was a perfect set up, and on par with my previous olympic predictions. It started like most viewing party days with me rising at 3:45am and picking up Katie (Stapely, our photographer) at 4:30am. We watched a great Japan/Germany game, and then the crowds started rolling in. W… Continue

Added by Alyse LaHue on August 25, 2008 at 3:48pm — 1 Comment

One More Early Morning

Well, so far my pre-olympics predictions have stood up pretty well. Of course not every single game prediction was the right one, who could have predicted Norway's early blitz against the USA in Game 1 or that we'd see 11 goals in the semifinals (wow). But 3 out of 4 in the finals i'll take. I will continue to stand by my finals game prediction with Brazil winning the gold medal. But USA has continued… Continue

Added by Alyse LaHue on August 19, 2008 at 1:24pm — 3 Comments

All Skype'd up about the Olympics

So this morning as I'm working from home in beautiful, sunny Iowa I got a surprise Skype alien-tone (that's what I call that weird skype ringing noise) from Red Stars Head Coach Emma Hayes. Ok, I'm not totally challenged at using new technologies, but I didn't even know that I was logged into Skype. She was exhausted but in great spirits today. On a soccer day off she said she took the opportunity to visit the Forbidden City, and said it was extraordinary (we'll be waiting patiently for… Continue

Added by Alyse LaHue on August 8, 2008 at 9:51am — 2 Comments

My Olympics Predictions

Ok, Lots of injuries and roster changes later, I have come up with my 'official' predictions for the Olympics! If I am following the brackets correctly, it looks like Germany and Brazil will meet in the semifinals. Ouch. So here goes: Group E: Sweden Canada Yes, I still choose Sweden even without Ljungberg. I believe players like Schelin and Oqvist can pick up the slack. Ljungberg has been injured for much of the last several years, so this isn't something new for the Swedes. Canada will be t… Continue

Added by Alyse LaHue on August 4, 2008 at 9:12pm — 4 Comments

FC Barcelona Training @ Toyota Park

So a group of Red Stars staffers were present at the FC Barcelona training Friday night that took place at Toyota Park. Barca was in town to take on Chivas de Guadalajara on Sunday at historic Soldier Field. Several Red Stars staffers including Head Coach Emma Hayes were witness to that game, while I took the opportunity to have the whole trailer to myself last night and get some extra work done, including some updates to the Red Stars Myspace… Continue

Added by Alyse LaHue on August 4, 2008 at 2:10pm — 2 Comments