University of San Francisco’s Silk Speaker Series Welcomes Two-Time World Cup Champion and Equality Activist Megan Rapinoe on October 12

SAN FRANCISCO (October 1, 2020) – As part of Founder’s Week, the University of San Francisco’s (USF) Silk Speaker Series will welcome Olympic Gold Medalist, two-time World Cup Champion and co-captain of the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) Megan Rapinoe for a moderated virtual event on Monday, October 12 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Moderated by Jennifer Azzi, Olympic Gold Medalist and USF Associate Vice President for Engagement. The discussion will focus on Megan’s journey, current events, leadership, equality for all, and Rapinoe’s role as co-founder of Re-Inc., a clothing company embracing inclusivity and gender-neutral design. The event will take place via YouTube, and is open to the public (registration is required). 

Megan Rapinoe is a fan favorite and one of the USWNT’s most technical players. A vocal leader on equality both on and off the pitch, Rapinoe helped lead the USWNT to the 2019 Women’s World Cup Championship, scoring some of the biggest goals of the tournament. She took home the tournament’s two top honors – the Golden Boot for top scorer, and the Golden Ball for the best player in the tournament. Megan is an advocate for equality for all, and has been able to intersect her passion for humanity and authenticity by creating Rapinoe SC, LLC. and co-founding Re-Inc., a purposeful lifestyle brand and clothing company founded with fellow teammates. 

“It is a pleasure to welcome one of the greatest athletes in the world to the University of San Francisco,” stated Azzi. “Her voice and her accomplishments off the field are what impress me most. Her fight for equality and her leadership for women is awe-inspiring. 

Funded by a transformational gift to the University of San Francisco by investment expert Jeff Silk ’87 and his wife, Naomi, the USF Silk Speaker Series brings international thought leaders in business, finance and global issues to USF students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the university. Now in its fourth year, the Silk Speaker Series has featured speakers including NBA star Stephen Curry and Head Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors, tennis legend and equality champion Billie Jean King, Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson, 66th Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice, NBA great Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr., Former Chair of the Federal Reserve Dr. Janet L. Yellen, Nobel laureates in economic sciences Dr. Myron Scholes and Dr. Robert Merton, and Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, Inc., among others.

Event Details 

Monday, October 12, 2020 - 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Via YouTube; registration is required. 

Register

Journalists interested in covering the event should contact Kellie Samson at ksamson@usfca.edu.

About the Moderator 

Jennifer Azzi is Associate Vice President for Engagement at the University of San Francisco (USF). She has been inducted into eight halls of fame, including the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Jennifer is an Olympic Gold Medalist, Stanford NCAA National Champion, two-time World Champion, Naismith Award and Wade Trophy award winner, WNBA All-Star, NCAA Silver Anniversary Award Winner, and was head coach of the USF women’s basketball team where she led the program to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 20 years. Jennifer Azzi’s achievements have firmly established her as one of the most accomplished figures in sports. 

About the University of San Francisco

The University of San Francisco is a private, Jesuit Catholic university that reflects the diversity, optimism, and opportunities of the city that surrounds it. USF offers more than 230 undergraduate, graduate, professional, and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, law, education, and nursing and health professions. At USF, each course is an intimate learning community in which top professors encourage students to turn learning into positive action, so the students graduate equipped to do well in the world — and inspired to change it for the better. For more information, visit usfca.edu.