Soccer Star, Natalie Spilger, Defending The Red Stars and The Green Earth

This article is the first in a series of features that will include the entire roster of the Chicago Red Stars before season's end. See also, at B/R, features of the Boston Breakers by Todd Civin, and the Los Angeles Sol by Jo-Ryan Salazar.

Natalie Spilger grew up dreaming of being an Olympic soccer player. At the age of 15 she was invited to the US Women's National Soccer Team Camp.

She was named a 1999 NSCAA All-American in high school, and selected as a Parade Magazine All-American as a senior.

Spilger was a member of the US Women's National U-16, U-18, and U-21 teams. She competed in the 2003 Nordic Cup, with the U-21's.

At Stanford, on a full athletic scholarship for four years, Natalie anchored what would become the top ranked defense in the nation in '02, and served as co-captain as a senior, in '03.

Off the pitch, she competed in several marathons and triathalons, placing in her age group several times.

After college Spilger took a hiatus from soccer, concentrating first on scratching her travel itch, then working for an internet startup for a while, before pursuing her environmental interests as an Energy Engineer for Emcor Energy Services.

In 2008 Natalie resumed her soccer career with the Swedish professinal team, Balinge, where she was Central Defender and leading scorer.

She was selected by Chicago in the third round of the WPS Draft, taken as the 16th pick overall.  She has had significant playing time for the Red Stars thus far, and is expected to start this weekend's game against Athletica.

Natalie Spilger is more than a professional soccer player, however. In fact, if she could be known for only one thing, she would prefer to be known as the manager of a team dedicated to saving the planet.

Natalie is the Founder, Creator and President of a 501(c)3 non-profit organization entitled "Green Laces."

It is a program designed to make a significant difference in the environment by challenging its members, mostly athletes, to make one simple promise to leave their personal environment a little cleaner and healthier than they found it.

Natalie's promise: "I, Natalie Spilger, promise to never use a non re-usable plastic water bottle, unless in an emergency situation."

To join Green Laces, all anyone has to do is make a similar promise, and in return, you receive a pair of green laces for your athletic shoes.  

When you know about Natalie's background, it is no surprise that she has started an organization like Green Laces. At Stanford, she majored in Civil and Environmental Engineering, as an undergrad. She went on to earn a Masters in Construction Engineering Management with an emphasis on Green Building.

With that background to build on, she caught the vision to establish Green Laces after hearing Paul Hawken speak at the 2007 "Green Build Expo" held in Chicago. Suddenly she knew it was her calling to "make the green movement cool and sexy."

Now that there's a new women's major league in the US, Spilger is also making US soccer a little greener, and yes, cooler and sexier as well. She is a passionate person who puts her all into everything she does, including defending against opposing strikers and against ultraviolet rays.