UCLA Hall of Fame stuff…as promised...

Well, I promised my friends and family that couldn't make it… that I would blog about my HOF (Hall of Fame) induction 2 weekends ago in California :) Here it is.. and anyone that knows me, knows that even trying to do this is a STRETCH because I absolutely hate talking about myself or anything of the sort. So, this is for those that texted, called, and wished they could have been there… here you go!!!

I got there on Tuesday, but really… the HOF festivities started on Friday!!! What a crazy 3 day whirlwind… here are those days… "a life in pictures"… 

Friday, at 5 PM we got to see my plaque on the Hall of Fame wall… wow. I have to say that I was completely overwhelmed seeing my signature on a wall in the Alumni/Hall of Fame section of UCLA. As my brother and I headed to find my name on the wall, he said it best, "Nandi, your name is on the same wall as Arthur Ashe and Jackie Robinson". Umm… speechless. It was here, and in this moment that I realized that this whole HOF thing was a little bit of a big deal. Here are some pictures of the private unveiling… 

Then, it came time for the dinner and speeeeech!!! Ahh… I was so crazy nervous! When we got there, it was reception time and just got to hang out with the other inductees… so crazy to me that some of the people were well into their 60's or 80's… and here I was, inducted into the HOF during my first elidgible vote. The rule is that you have to be graduated for 10 years, and 2013 was my 11th year. Again, I had no idea about any of that!!! 

Anyway… we headed from the main campus area, up to the dinner reception where everyone had to give a 5-8 minute speech. I was so nervous… I kept pinching Jenny under the table! I went last, so I had a chance to size up my speech competition :) Here are some pictures from my speech…

 Not at all sure what I am doing or saying in these pictures, but I sure was animated… HAHA!!! I do remember making fun of my brother, thanking my parents and coaches :) It was so fun… I talked for 8 minutes, which was way long than when I practiced it in the mirror at the hotel… but, at least I wasn't 23 minutes long like some of the others :) 

Here are some pictures from after the speeches…

Jill… my college coach!

HOF 2013 Induction Class

My mom and Lily!

Milburn and Swan..

Me and my parentals :) 

Swanny… Me… Jenny

Then, it was time for the Saturday football game-- UCLA vs CAL. Lets just say, yet again… I started to realize as I walked up to the stadium, that there were 100,000 people at this game.. I had no idea going into all of this… that it was going to be that big of a deal!!! During halftime, they announced the 2013 HOF Class… here are a few pictures…

Milburn… Greco and Me… 

Greco… and Jill...

My parents and family looked on… as my face and highlight reel was on the jumbo-tron!!! ahhh… I kept asking the ABC Sports girl "does my hair look okay??!! Do I have anything in my teeth??" haha!!! And then… after the jumbotro deal… dinner with a boy… wow. 

I am not at all sure how to end this blog post, because I am usually talking about something deep and intense :) I guess I will end with just what it felt like to be honored with something like this…and try to take a few sentences to explain feeling so overwhelmed. I realized, as I was back at UCLA, and seeing friends that I have known for 13 years… I realized that I am "known"-- intimately and deeply, yes by the Lord, but also by others. I have had several friendships dissolve in the last 10 years, and 1 just earlier this year. BUT, when I was in LA, I got to talk about my college years, and say "oh yeah, remember 8 years ago"… it was so good for my soul!!! And the other thing that was completely overwhelming about this trip, was that I realized that although so many of the things that I have been able to accomplish with soccer will be forgotten, my name will forever and always be on that wall at UCLA, and in the books as one of soooo many incredible athletes! And lastly, my family and friends… especially my parents and my brother… who gave up so much for me to play a game that I loved… to see them so proud and walk beside me… that was an amazing gift!!!

I guess I will end with a picture while I was on campus just walking around… I sure do miss this place… UCLA…so many great memories…