Who We Are:
Because of Soccer is an international football brand designed for everyone who has been impacted by the game. Our goal is to help individuals grow, connect, and gather by recognizing not only what soccer has given them, but what it can continue to give them as they use it for good.
Definition of Soccer: so-ccer
Did you know that the word soccer is of 100% British origin? In 1863 the Football Association was formed in England. Rather than using the term association football, the players and members shortened the sport to "soccer". Originally it was to differentiate between rugby football. However, as rugby stuck to rugby, football eventually stuck to football in Europe. As the sport emerged in the United States, American Football had taken the country by storm. So, Soccer stuck with the Americans. As an American made company, we have chosen to embrace the name SOCCER. However, acknowledging and appreciating its origin of England, the birthplace of football and soccer. Because of soccer is an international football brand, and meant for everyone who has fallen in love with the beautiful game.
Our Mission: To grow, connect, and gather, Because of Soccer.
Our Story:
My name is Ella Jade Meldrum (Ballstaedt). I started playing soccer at the age of 3, and from the moment I touched that field, I fell in love with the game. My dream as a young girl was to play on the US Women’s National Soccer team. I fell in love with Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Abby Wambach, Shannon Box, Carli Lloyd, and so many others. Each of them inspired me in different ways. By the end of my 8th grade year I joined a new club soccer team, one of which had my closest friends in the world on it. I didn’t know it yet, but these girls would become my lifelong sisters. Imelda, who I consider one of my closest friends to this day, was a big part of me joining that team, and I will be forever grateful for her for being one of the largest reasons I found success and love for the beautiful game. These girls taught me what dedication, loyalty, support, and love was. We competed with each other day in and day out, and never once held it against each other. We not only made each other better players, we made each other better young women. Because of Soccer, I am who I am today, and have lifelong friends. In my sophomore year of high school I was offered scholarships to play soccer collegiately. Because of Soccer, I paid for my schooling. I spent two years at the University of Utah playing some of the top teams and players in the country. My final two years of college I played at BYU, the school I dreamed of playing at ever since I was a little girl. I can still remember my senior night game, lining up looking at the mountainside thinking about how lucky I was to be able to play at such an incredible program, with such amazing girls, and in such a beautiful place. Because of Soccer I received a college education and lived my dreams. After college I ran into one of my club teammates brothers, he was with Dawson Meldrum. Dawson asked me out, we went on a date, played soccer together, I watched his college games, we fell in love, and on St. Patricks Day of 2022 he asked me to marry him, on South Field, where I played my last two years of college soccer. Because of Soccer, I met and married the love of my life and am growing a beautiful little family. I will never be able to fully give back to soccer what it has given to me, but I will always give thanks for the impact it has had on my life. Through this company I hope to help individuals recognize the impact soccer has had on their lives and to also give others the opportunity to experience what soccer can do for them. Because of Soccer we can reach our potential, and become the best people we can be.
