SoccerToday Women In Soccer Series
Pam Bickel is an extraordinary woman who started the Kickin’ It Challenge to promote breast cancer awareness and raise funds. Bickel has raised more than $150,000 for the non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives and ending breast cancer forever.
The funds raised by the Kickin’ It Challenge have gone to make a difference in the lives of women in the San Diego community who are fighting breast cancer and have given their families the support of knowing they are not alone in the journey.
The San Diego Kickin’ It Challenge (KIC) is a youth soccer tournament with a silent auction and a fundraising dinner. The idea for the Kickin’ It Challenge was born after Founding Director and President, Pam Bickel, had a startling revelation. “So many moms from our soccer community were battling breast cancer,” said Bickel. “I just had to do something.”
Pam Bickel’s leadership skills – combined with her passion, drive and unmatched organizing abilities – make her a force to be reckoned with. The Kickin’ it Soccer Challenge – which she envisioned, created, and made successful – has become a vital source of community awareness and fundraising,” says Laura Farmer Sherman, President & Chief Executive Officer – Susan G. Komen San Diego County
SoccerToday interviewed Bickel to learn about her passions and how one woman inspired change and worked hard to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer and the game of soccer.
Diane Scavuzzo: Do you think of yourself as someone who makes a difference?
Pam Bickel: Yes, I do think I make a difference.
I didn’t always think so but many things over the years have helped me me realize I can make a difference. We all can make a difference.
I have always volunteered. I remember when my son was in elementary school and the class didn’t have a parent volunteer for Art. I’m not what you would call good at art, however I was way better than no one. In a small way, keeping art in the class made a big difference to those kids; they had fun and created some really cool keepsakes. I realized then that whats seemed like a small thing to me could make a really big difference to others.
Diane Scavuzzo: What inspired you to start your tournament and raise money for breast cancer?
Pam Bickel: In 2010, we lost a mom in our soccer club to breast cancer and it really hit home. She left behind 2 children. Then a year later, another women I knew was diagnosed and that was the “straw the broke the camel’s back.”
We decided then and there to hold a tournament to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer. Ten months later in June of 2012 the first Kickin’ It Challenge was held. I work with a great group of women Beatrice Cubitt, Bj Kelly, Susan Filippone and Christine Drummond – together we make Kickin’ It Challenge happen.
Diane Scavuzzo: How much money have you raised? What is your goal for 2016?
Pam Bickel: To date we have raised $150,000. Our goal for this year is to raise another $50,000. A lot of local people have helped donate, including Mike Connerley who heard me on the radio talking about the tournament.
Diane Scavuzzo: Often people believe they cannot make a difference – you’re an example of one person having a huge impact in Southern California. Who else are you working with and what are your goals for the future?
Pam Bickel: In 2014, a second Kickin’ It Challenge tournament was held in Charlotte, NC. Our goal is to see KIC tournaments played across the country.
Diane Scavuzzo: Did you have a child who played soccer?
Pam Bickel: Yes, my son starting playing when he was 5 years old and soccer was his favorite sport. He played for Poway Vaqueros and for his high school, Francis Parker.
Diane Scavuzzo: How many years have you been involved?
Pam Bickel: I have been involved in youth soccer for over 15 years.
I started out as the “team mom” which, of course, are other words for becoming team manager. I was asked to join the board of Poway Youth Soccer where I served as Secretary, Uniform Coordinator, Opening Day Chairperson and lastly, as President of Poway Youth Soccer League.
Diane Scavuzzo: What do you think of youth soccer in Southern California?
Pam Bickel: I love the game of soccer and I love being part of it — and feel fortunate to be a part of Cal South.
Cal South is the “Gold” standard – although a lot of other associations probably believe they are also the best. We need to let the country know why we are able to develop so many championship teams — it comes down to our terrific coaches and our dedicated players. I believe it is important to share what works and what doesn’t – but, perhaps this is the corporate side of me.
Diane Scavuzzo: If you could wave a magic wand, what would you change?
Pam Bickel: The sideline behavior of parents.
We have a lot of great youth soccer clubs in Cal South and overall, we all try to work together and all of us are concerned about the sideline behavior. I know most parents mean well. I think we need to do everything we can to help parents understand their impact at a game and provide them with tools to help control their emotions. Maybe offer more parent education information.
Also, I believe strongly in coaching education. I see a lot of well-meaning dads and moms who lack the real training to be a coach.
Diane Scavuzzo: What has been the biggest challenge you have faced so far?
Pam Bickel: Being President of a youth soccer club was tough. I come from the business side of the world and I want to give back, and youth sports are a business.
Diane Scavuzzo: Why are you running for District Commissioner Cal South?
Pam Bickel: I believe I can make a difference in Cal South and I want to help Cal South be the best it can be.
As a former Club president and as Tournament Director of KIC, I know what is happening on and off the field. I can be the conduit between the field and the governing body. With my son off to college I now have more time to devote to Cal South than ever before. With the upcoming changes in youth soccer, I believe I am in a good position to see both sides of the changes and to be the Cal South representative at the parent level.
I believe that I understand and can represent the needs of clubs in District 2 and be there to continue to the growth of soccer in Cal South.
Main Image Photo Credit: K.C. Alfred/UT San Diego/Copyright 2014
