Wambach was supposed to discuss her new book, “Forward: A Memoir” at the event. | Courtesy of ConnectMeetings
A Wednesday night event featuring professional soccer player Abby Wambach was cancelled at 3:30 p.m., three hours before it was scheduled to begin, according to an email sent out to expected attendees.
In a video apology, Wambach, who has won the United States soccer athlete of the year award six times, said that this is the first time in her career she has had to cancel an event. She said that “this is very unlike me” and promised attendees she would be returning to Penn.
Wambach had been slated to speak as part of the Authors@Wharton Speaker Series launched by professor Adam Grant. She was supposed to discuss her new book, “Forward: A Memoir,” in which she reflected on her years in professional soccer, her romantic relationships and her struggles with alcohol and prescription drugs.
“Abby Wambach is the premier women’s soccer player. She is completely my idol so [the cancellation] was very disappointing for me,” said College sophomore Abigail Lee, who plays defense for the women’s soccer team. Wambach holds the record for the greatest number of goals, 184, scored by any man or woman in the history of international soccer.
Lee learned about the cancellation when she received a slew of text messages from her teammates who had arranged to attend the event together.
College junior Lila Gutstein, who played competitive soccer in high school, was “bummed” when she heard about the cancellation because she had scheduled her day around the event.
“[Wambach’s video apology] was really weird. At the end of it, I was still not really sure why she couldn’t come,” Gutstein said. “I felt like she could have been clearer with that. As her fans, I felt that she owed us that much.”
Nonetheless, both Lee and Gutstein said that they would definitely sign up when Wambach returned again to Penn.
“Out of all the figures that have come to Penn, the person who I’ve been the most excited to see is Abby Wambach,” Lee said.
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