MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – The past several months have been eventful for Jill Ellis, the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team coach, following her team's epic win at the Women's World Cup tournament in July.
Ellis was honored at the Miami-Dade County school board meeting for her influence on student athletes worldwide and specifically in South Florida, where she has lived with her daughter, Lily, and partner Betsy Stephenson for the last year and half.
Young soccer fans and supporters came to the meeting wearing Team USA shirts and holding up banners for Ellis.
Even Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho had a fan moment with Ellis, saying, "I'm from Portugal, so soccer is like religion to us. It was great talking to Jill and knowing we both agree on who the best male soccer player is -- Cristiano Ronaldo, of course."
Ellis was incredibly humbled while taking photos and signing autographs for her young fans.
She brought her World Cup medal with her and promptly handed it over to her daughter, Lily, who beamed with pride as she spoke about her mom, saying, "I'm doing well in school and will keep my grades up so I can keep playing soccer, tennis and volleyball. I am so proud of my mom and I want to be just like her."
Ellis just signed a contract extension with U.S. Soccer bringing her annual salary to $215,000. When asked about her new deal, she replied with an emphatic, "I'm in. I guess they're keeping me."
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