Sarah Fuller (athlete)
Personal information | ||||||||||||||
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Date of birth | June 20, 1999 | |||||||||||||
Place of birth | Wylie, Texas, U.S. | |||||||||||||
Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | |||||||||||||
Position(s) | Goalkeeper | |||||||||||||
Youth career | ||||||||||||||
D'Feeters[1] | ||||||||||||||
College career | ||||||||||||||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||
2017–2020 | Vanderbilt Commodores | 14 | (0) | |||||||||||
2021 | North Texas Mean Green | 17 | (0) | |||||||||||
Senior career* | ||||||||||||||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||
2022 | Minnesota Aurora FC | 13 | (0) | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of January 3, 2023 |
Sarah Fuller (born June 20, 1999) is an American former
Fuller became a starter with Vanderbilt's soccer team as a senior in 2020, when she helped lead the Commodores to a
Early years
Fuller was born to 6-foot-2-inch (1.88 m) Brandon and 5-foot-10-inch (1.78 m) Windi Fuller. Both of Fuller's grandfathers are 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) tall.
College soccer career
Vanderbilt
Fuller entered Vanderbilt University on a soccer scholarship in 2017.[9] She broke her foot the summer before her freshman year, causing her to sit out her first season.[10] Back injuries sidelined her as a sophomore, and she played behind two senior goalkeepers the following season.[11] Fuller played in just two games in her first three years.[8] In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and five exhibition games were cancelled, depriving her the opportunity to showcase herself to her coaches. Over the summer, she suffered a stress fracture on her other foot.[10]
As a senior in 2020, Fuller began the season on the bench. The
North Texas
On November 13, 2020,
Minnesota Aurora FC
On February 7, 2022, Fuller was announced as the first-ever signing by Minnesota Aurora FC ahead of the inaugural USL W League season.[21] In 13 appearances, she conceded 8 goals and led the Aurora to the USL W League 2022 championship match, losing to Tormenta FC 2–1 after extra time. She retired from soccer after the season.[22]
College football career
Due to COVID-19,
Vanderbilt trailed Missouri 21–0 at the half. Unhappy with the team's lack of enthusiasm on the sidelines, Fuller gave a halftime speech, encouraging her teammates to cheer each other on and support one another.
The following week, Fuller remained with the team, but Mason was fired after a 27–55 overall record as Vanderbilt's coach.[39][40] She was expected to be in uniform in the following game against Georgia, but the game was postponed due to the SEC's COVID-19 protocols when the Commodores' roster did not meet the minimum requirements.[41] On December 12, Fuller was one of three kickers on the Commodore's active roster against Tennessee.[42] Interim head coach Todd Fitch decided that she would handle kicks inside the 10-yard line, while Pierson Cooke—who was pulled from extra points by Mason after struggling on short kicks earlier in the season—would handle the longer-range opportunities.[43][44] Fuller kicked an extra point following a first-quarter touchdown to become the first woman to score in a Power Five football game;[45] she finished the game 2-for-2 on extra points.[42] Vanderbilt lost 42–17 to finish the season 0–9.[44]
Honors
- SEC Women's Soccer Tournament championship (2020)[46]
- In December 2020, Fuller's jersey was added to the College Football Hall of Fame[47][48][49]
- SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week[50][51][52]
Personal life
Fuller has worked as an intern for the Nashville Adult Literacy Council and the End Slavery Tennessee campaign.[53] She had also intended to apply for an internship at Play Like a Girl, but did not. In a nod to the organization, she had "Play Like a Girl" printed on the back of her helmet in her first football game with Vanderbilt. The following day, the non-profit reported receiving $13,000 in donations and an increase in people inquiring about volunteering since her game.[54]
In 2021, Fuller was invited to participate in
See also
Notes
- Football Championship Subdivision. In 2003, Katie Hnida with New Mexico became the first woman to score in a Group of Five conference, part of the FBS in addition to the Power Five.[35] April Goss of Kent State became the second woman in the FBS in 2015.[35][36]
References
- ^ "Sarah Fuller". Vanderbilt University Athletics - Official Athletics Website. November 27, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ "Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller makes history as first woman to play in a Power Five college football game". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
- ^ "Vanderbilt's Sarah Fuller could be first woman to play in Power 5 football game". ABC News. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
- ^ a b Culpepper, Chuck (December 3, 2020). "Sarah Fuller made history. Her parents understand why her moment matters". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ a b Hunt, Loretta (December 11, 2020). "Sarah Fuller: 'My male college football teammates call me Champ'". The Guardian. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
- ^ "Sarah Fuller". VUCCommodores.com. May 4, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c Caplan, Callie (November 28, 2020). "Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller, a Wylie grad, becomes first woman to play in Power Five football game". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
- ^ a b c Kamrani, Christopher; Rexrode, Joe (November 27, 2020). "Next woman up: Amid COVID-19, Vanderbilt football turns to women's soccer". The Athletic. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ a b Lutz, Tom (December 1, 2020). "Vanderbilt set to stick with trailblazing female kicker Sarah Fuller". The Guardian. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
- ^ a b c Scarborough, Alex (November 30, 2020). "'This was never an easy path': Sarah Fuller and the winding road to two-sport immortality". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ Chester, Michella (December 8, 2020). "Before Sarah Fuller broke through national gender barriers, she first had to break through her own". NCAA.com. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Martinelli, Michelle R. (November 26, 2020). "5 things to know about Sarah Fuller, who could play football for Vanderbilt on Saturday". USA Today.
- ^ Negley, Cassandra (November 30, 2020). "Vanderbilt's Sarah Fuller named SEC special teams player of the week after historic kick". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ Gibbs, Simon (November 17, 2020). "Vanderbilt advances to SEC Tournament semifinals with 4-2 victory over Tennessee". Vanderbilt Hustler. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ Jones, Matt (November 23, 2020). "Vandy blitzes Arkansas for title". Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ "Soccer Finalizes Exciting Signing Class". MeanGreenSports.com. June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Forde, Pat (November 28, 2020). "Vanderbilt Kicker Sarah Fuller Was Made for the Moment". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
- ^ Hall, Erik. "Sarah Fuller: 5 things to know about the Vanderbilt football kicker, women's soccer goalie". The Tennessean. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
- ^ "Soccer Adds Key Signees". University of North Texas Athletics.
- ^ Sparks, Adam (December 15, 2020). "What Sarah Fuller plans to do now that Vanderbilt football is over". Nashville Tennessean. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ^ "BREAKING NEWS: Thrilled to welcome goalkeeper & groundbreaker @SarahFuller_27 as our first player signing". Twitter.com. @MNAuroraFC. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ Simon, Alexandra (January 3, 2023). "Minnesota Aurora goalkeeper Sarah Fuller announces retirement from soccer". KARE 11. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ "Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller to suit up vs. Missouri on Saturday, can make history". ESPN. November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
- ^ a b Witz, Billy (November 29, 2020). "A Season of Footnotes Limps to Its Conclusion". The New York Times. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ a b c Sparks, Adam (November 28, 2020). "Sarah Fuller is only Vanderbilt placekicker against Missouri football". Nashville Tennessean. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ Walker, Teresa M. (November 29, 2020). "Sarah Fuller sticking with Vanderbilt men's football team after historic kick". CBC.ca. The Associated Press. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ Talty, John (November 29, 2020). "Steve Sarkisian could be Saban's best OC, why Sarah Fuller moment resonated". AL.com. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c Scarborough, Alex (November 28, 2020). "Vanderbilt Commodores K Sarah Fuller makes history with second-half kickoff". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
- ^ Finger, Mike (November 29, 2020). "When risk is weighed against reward, some miscalculate". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ "Sarah Fuller becomes first woman to play in Power 5 college football game". Fox News Now. November 28, 2020.
- ^ "American football: Sarah Fuller makes history as first woman in a Power 5 game". BBC.com. November 29, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ Sparks, Adam (November 28, 2020). "Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller makes Power-5 college football history after giving halftime speech in her 'goalkeeper voice'". Nashville Tennessean. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ a b Adelson, Andrea (November 30, 2020). "Sarah Fuller plans to stick with Vanderbilt football, addresses halftime pep talk". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ Helmkamp, Jon (December 3, 2020). "Sarah Fuller called out Vanderbilt in a halftime speech, it was awesome, and now Derek Mason is gone". Deadspin. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ a b Walker, Teresa M. (November 25, 2020). "Vanderbilt may have women's soccer player as kicker at Missouri". Chattanooga Times Free Press. The Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020.
- ^ a b Massey, Lydia (November 28, 2020). "Sarah Fuller Makes History As 1st Woman To Play In A Power 5 Football Game". NPR.org. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ Brooks, Amanda (December 2, 2020). "College Football Catapults Viewership across ESPN Networks to Register Record Thanksgiving Weekend". ESPN Press Room (Press release). Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ Werner, Barry (November 30, 2020). "Sarah Fuller named SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week". MSN.com. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ Cooper, Sam (December 2, 2020). "Sarah Fuller listed atop Vanderbilt's depth chart, could kick vs. No. 9 Georgia". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
- ^ "Sarah Fuller wants to keep kicking for Vanderbilt". Boston Globe. November 29, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
- ^ Odum, Charles (December 4, 2020). "COVID-19 issues postpone Vandy-Georgia; no Fuller this week". The Seattle Times. The Associated Press. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ a b Sparks, Adam (December 12, 2020). "Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller becomes first woman to score in Power Five college football game". Nashville Tennessean. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- ^ Sparks, Adam (December 12, 2020). "Sarah Fuller, College Football Hall of Fame getting footballs from historic kicks for Vanderbilt". Nashville Tennessean. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- ^ a b "Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller first woman to score in Power 5 football game". ESPN.com. December 13, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- ^ "Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller makes history again as first woman to score points in Power Five game". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- ^ "Vanderbilt upsets Arkansas to win the SEC Championship". Southeastern Conference. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
- ^ Payne, Ed (December 21, 2020). "Sarah Fuller's jersey added to College Football Hall of Fame". WSAW-TV. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
- ^ McCarriston, Shanna (December 21, 2020). "Sarah Fuller's Vanderbilt uniform on display at College Football Hall of Fame". CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
- ^ Cash, Meredith (December 21, 2020). "Sarah Fuller College Football Hall of Fame Vanderbilt uniform display". Insider. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
- ^ Scarborough, Alex (November 30, 2020). "Vanderbilt Commodores kicker Sarah Fuller named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
- ^ Grott, Connor (November 30, 2020). "Vanderbilt's Sarah Fuller named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week". United Press International. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
- ^ Pickman, Ben (November 30, 2020). "Vanderbilt's Sarah Fuller Named SEC Special Teams Co-Player of the Week". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
- ^ Bishop, Chad (August 20, 2020). "Living a Fuller Life". VUCommodores.com. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ Sulek, Marissa (November 29, 2020). "Play Like A Girl sees increase in donations after Sarah Fuller plays for Vanderbilt". WSMV.com. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
- ^ "History-making kicker Sarah Fuller invited to Joe Biden's inauguration". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ Sparks, Adam (January 20, 2021). "Vanderbilt's Sarah Fuller introduces Vice President Kamala Harris in 'Celebrating America'". Nashville Tennessean. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
External links
- December 11, 2020 NPR: All Things Considered: Bend It Like Fuller: How A College Soccer Star Broke Ground For Women In Football
- Vanderbilt Commodores women's soccer bio
- Vanderbilt Commodores football bio
- Sarah Fuller at IMDb