A-G | Cal Soccer Alumni

H-Rodebaugh

Roth-Z

Dania cabello

2002-2005

BA in Development Studies with emphasis in political and social development of Latin America, 2003-2006

Masters in Education focusing on Sport as a Liberatory Practice

Professional soccer player at Santos in Brasil and Bay Area Breeze

Futbolistas 4 Life program winning 100k Grant
Mentored Street Children in Brazil

Literacy Intervention Teacher for ELL Students

Freestyle Soccer Player and Instructor

Freelance Writer and Artist – Exploring play as joy and resistance

Curriculum Consultant – Sport as a platform for violence prevention

Adjunct Faculty for Physical Education at St. Mary’s College

Entrepreneur - Ojo De La Sol, Medicinal herbal product line

Written By: Kim Yokers '04

Dania Cabello.

Futbolista. Professional Athlete. Freestyler. Intellectual. Activist. Educator. Writer. Artist. Healer. Entrepreneur. Change maker. Connector.

Critical Thinker. Truth Seeker. Eloquent Speaker.

And not to mention, Loyal Friend and Selfless Nurse when I tore my ACL.

To describe Dania Cabello is to cross so many categories, and touch on so many powerful qualities, as to end up in a place where it seems impossible to be describing only one person. An extraordinary soccer player with magic flare and ball handling skills unmatched, Dania has had a passion for soccer from a young age. Her accolades in the game are many, from academic all-star and team captain at Cal, to playing soccer professionally in Brazil and in the states — but what is most remarkable about Dania is how she has melded her love of futbol with her convictions outside the game to create a platform for social justice. Coming from a family of Chilean political refugees, Dania has a past that informs her passions and commitment to her work. In her process of learning to heal and understand her complicated history, she has developed the skills and tools to help liberate and heal others, with a commitment to her local Oakland-based community. She has done what is so challenging for many of us to do — seek truth and effect change outside existing boundaries and categories; creating a path for oneself and others that was obscured or didn’t exist before. Inspired by the work of civil rights activist Harry Edwards, and preceding that of Kaepernick, Dania has been working in the realm of social justice and sports for over a decade, weaving her work through many disciplines.

Dania’s creation of the program Futbolistas 4 Life perfectly exemplifies her ability to initiate, inspire, and ultimately effect change through the power of sport. Dania started Futbolistas as a free after school program at Oakland Life Academy to support immigrant students through connection and play— what emerged was a sacred space for these students to not only cope with the stresses of immigration policy, poverty and violence in their communities, but ultimately to achieve positive changes they wanted to see in their lives. With Dania’s guidance, the group of students won a large 100K grant from US Soccer to build a field for their school and community, a place for them to gather and play — no small feat in the underserved community. A documentary, “Futbolistas 4 Life”, was created to highlight this impactful story and continues to be screened to increase awareness of the ubiquitous stresses on immigrant youth and their families. Dania’s commitment to teach the liberating power of play has forever affected these individuals, and continues to impact many as her work evolves.

Another great example of Dania’s creativity and ability to cross boundaries with her holistic work, is an exhibition she created alongside Harry Edwards for SF SOMAArts — Game Recognize Game. Here she enters the artist’s space to perform an interactive piece which reflected on the current sport landscape with athletes like Kaepernick using their platform to effect social change, and involved interactive art for participants to explore the power of play and how it can transform public spaces and break down barriers that keep people separated.

Aside from what Dania has accomplished in her extraordinary list to the left, what is most remarkable is how she continues to forge her own unique path, combining areas of expertise based on her truths and passions. There isn’t a stark separation between work and real life for Dania like there are for many of us. She brings her whole self into everything she does - whether it’s being a badass freestyler who brings the joy of play into oppressive public spaces, to her healing practice as an entrepreneurial medicine maker, her work as an educator in the public school and university environment, or her speaking and writing engagements across numerous topics from gender equity to violence prevention. They all reflect her commitment to social justice. As an extremely powerful communicator, she can craft her words and thoughts in such a unique and artistic way that cuts to the heart of the matter, truth unmasked, leaving the listener who has dared to open their heart to her words, changed.

Dania

Courtney (Carroll) LEvINSOHN

Written By: Tracy Hamm '06

When I think of what being inducted into the Lair of Legends means – the first words that come to mind are greatness, passionate and altruistic – Courtney Carroll is all of those things. She leaves things better than she found it. Courtney is charismatic. She has this unique energy about her that is magnetic. To use one of Courtney’s favorite words, she is BEYOND.

As an athlete at Cal, Courtney was the glue and the heart of the team. As a freshman, she was named the Rookie of the Year, having started every game that season. She was a 1st team All-Pac 10 selection in 1997, earning her a spot on the National Umbro Senior All-Star team.

What I think is my favorite part about Courtney’s story at Cal, is that she was a FOUR-time Golden Bear award recipient. That speaks volumes about how much she impacted her teammates, even as a freshman. She is a competitor, a leader, and she truly bleeds blue and gold.

A captain and Most Valuable Player, Courtney created Growth Through Sport to help athletes of all ages develop the competitive and emotional skills to both excel in sports and have fun doing so. Based in New York City, her organization partners with local clubs to support sport as a vehicle for positive social change. Within the soccer community, GTS focuses on increasing access to the game by helping coaches, educating parents, and empowering players.

Despite all of her personal success, is committed to helping others. Legends leave their mark. They make an impact. Courtney is stalwart. Deeply devoted to the game of soccer, Courtney has used her passion and influence to make a difference in athletes lives. As executive producer of the 2019 documentary ‘Coach,’ Courtney is dedicated to changing the narrative around women in coaching, enhancing access and visibility and making all things seem possible – she knows the value of women seeing each other creating pathways and building new foundations for success. She is committed to instilling change and focusing on the holistic development of young athletes to love the beautiful game of soccer. ‘Coach,’ was featured in over 10 film festivals worldwide, sparking an international awareness of the adversity women face in pursuing their goals and networking within the soccer industry.

Producing the film, ‘Coach’ was just the beginning. Using the nuanced gender disparity highlighted in the film as a call to action, Courtney founded Women in Soccer (WIS). WIS is a growing community of women and allies united by the inclusive spirit of soccer. Together, WIS hopes to connect, inspire, and empower women on and off the field to combat feelings of isolation and under-representation in male-dominated spaces. Much like Courtney and the Golden Bears, the values of WIS consist of inclusion, passion, action and grit.

You have never really lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you – Courtney impacted my life in a way that a million “thank yous” wouldn’t suffice. Courtney is a Legend because she didn’t wait for a seat at the table – she just built her own.