The USA Women’s Soccer win this year beat out a number of notable sports events: the Dallas Mavericks NBA Finals sweep of the LA Lakers, Derek Geter’s 3,000th hit, and TCU’s Rose Bowl win were all ranked, but didn’t beat the USA Women’s Soccer Team!
That should give team members Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan, Amy Rodriguez, Shannon Boxx, Heather O’Reilly, Carli Lloyd, and the rest of our heroes something to be proud of. Think about it: not even the Green Bay Packers Super Bowl win was mentioned in the poll.
It should also give a lift to Hope Solo, who was really disrespected on Dancing With The Stars, especially by David Arquette, who made fun of her being a “Hockey Goalie” on David Lettermans’s Show:
Here’s the press release:
2011 has been a big year for sports! And, of all the great moments, the win by USA women’s soccer over Brazil in the World Cup takes the top spot as the best single sports accomplishment of the year. Nearly one-third of sports fans nationally — 32% — have this view. The sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers by the Dallas Mavericks comes in a distant second with 18% while Derek Jeter getting his 3,000th hit is perceived to be the most significant sports accomplishment of 2011 by 15%. 13% believe Butler’s second trip to the NCAA Championship rates most significant while 11% say the Rose Bowl win by Texas Christian University deserves that description. Five percent think another sports moment is the best, and 6% are unsure.
This Marist Poll has been done in conjunction with The Marist College Center for Sports Communication.
“These results speak to the public’s greater respect for women’s sports as well as our clear thirst for nationalism through sport,” says Dr. Keith Strudler, Director of The Marist College Center for Sports Communication. “We should always consider that while we live in an increasingly global society, sport remains one of the few places to reclaim national identity and superiority. That may be particularly true as the United States faces economic uncertainty amidst the rise of new emerging superpowers.”
While those 30 years of age and older — 31% of those 30 to 44, 39% of those 45 to 59, and 32% of those 60 and older — rank the World Cup win as the best single sports accomplishment of the year, 30% of those under 30 say the Mavericks’ victory deserves the title.
More women — 37% — than men — 29% — report USA besting Brazil in the World Cup takes the number one slot.
Stay tuned, and congrats to the USA Women’s Soccer Team!