A 25-year-old boxer and former athlete at Eastern Regional High School visited Bob Earle’s female U-11 Travel Soccer Team on Sept. 19 at the school’s soccer field.
Berlin native Lia Lewandowski wanted to inspire the young athletes by sharing her journey to becoming a professional boxer, a path the 25-year-old recently embarked on with her Sept. 14 debut fight in Philadelphia. She won in a unanimous decision.
Earle – who began coaching soccer just 13 months ago – has an extensive background in sports, as a Division 1 College Golf coach at Fairfield University in Connecticut and as coach of the Puerto Rico Junior National Golf Team and the Puerto Rico Women’s National Golf Team.
A coach at the Voorhees Swim Club, Earle knew what he had in mind when he invited Lewandowski to speak.
“Lia, and her father Chuck, have been friends for a few years now,” he said. “I was fortunate to be ringside for Lia’s debut. The focus and determination in her eyes were inspiring.”
Earle also emphasized the importance of representation, noting how Lewandowski grew up in the area and walked the same fields as the young athletes he coaches.
“Lia’s story resonates with them,” he noted. “She shows that girls can excel in any sport or endeavor they choose.”
Lewandowski was immersed in sports from a young age, thanks to her parents.
“They wanted us to be sports-oriented and aimed for scholarships,” she shared, adding that while she excelled in high-school softball, her competitive nature led her to seek new challenges after she graduated from Drexel University in 2016.
“I realized during high school that I wasn’t the best in softball anymore, and I wanted something different.”
Lewandowski’s foray into combat sports began during COVID, when she began training at South Jersey Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
“I always wanted to be a fighter,” she recalled. “After seeing women competing, I knew I wanted to experience that.”
Lewandowski trained rigorously and transitioned to boxing after meeting her current coach, Milton Davis. She has already achieved milestones in her boxing career, including five amateur fights and participation in the Olympic trials.
“The training process is very intense,” she explained, citing the rigorous “fight camp” preparation for her recent debut. “It’s so challenging that the fight itself feels easier than the training.”
Lewandowski stressed to Earle’s team the importance of maintaining focus, determination and toughness.
“In sports, your worst enemy is yourself,” she acknowledged. “If you come in with a mindset to lose, then you will lose. But if you see it as a learning experience, every setback is just a stepping stone.”
Lewandowski also encouraged her audience to surround themselves with positive influences and to embrace a winning mentality, something that is part of Earle’s coaching philosophy.
“I encourage my players to have fun, respect each other and stay focused,” he remarked. “If one player isn’t paying attention, it affects everyone else’s development.”
The U-11 team has been recognized for its sportsmanship. Last year, it won the South Jersey Girls Soccer League’s Pat Adams Award for demonstrating exemplary conduct on and off the field.
Earle recalled a touching moment when the girls decided to give friendship bracelets to the visiting players at each home game.
“It was their idea,” he remembered, and it showcased the values we instill in them.”
Reflecting on the importance of resilience, Earle shared an anecdote from the Voorhees Memorial Day Tournament. Despite facing teams that were four or five flights ahead, his players’ spirit never wavered.
“We lost all our games, but in our final match, the girls wanted to play despite the heat and previous losses,” he recalled. “They fought every second of that game. I was immensely proud of them; their toughness shone through even in defeat.”
Lewandowski’s emphasis on mental resilience resonated deeply with the athletes she addressed.
“I can focus more, be more determined, and be mentally tough,” fourth grader Ryann Gallagher Earle reflected. “It was nice to hear her talk.”
Lewandowski offered insight on resilience that led her to quote her coach: “Take everything from them and leave nothing,” a message she believes can be applied both on the field and in life. And as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated sport, she talked about the stereotypes she faces.
“It’s a tough environment, but I want to pave the way for other women,” she said..
Lewandowski continues to train at Berlin’s Kennel Fighting Fitness Club, where she and her coach train individuals of all ages, whether they aspire to compete or simply get in shape. She is currently ranked No. 8 in the U.S. flyweight division and No. 81 in the world.
As the U-11 Travel Soccer Team looks ahead to its season, the lessons the players gleaned from Lewandowski will likely influence their approach to both sports and personal growth.
As she said, “In the game, you have your daily waking life and your sports.”
