Abby Wambach, the retired U.S. Women’s soccer standout who was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) on Saturday night in Portland, Ore., will still speak as scheduled at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Penn State’s Eisenhower Auditorium.
The Student Programming Association, which is sponsoring her appearance, confirmed the lecture would go on as planned in a news release Tuesday afternoon.
‘The Student Programming Association believes that since Abby Wambach is keeping her commitment to appear, we intend to do the same,’ the release stated. ‘We feel that she is taking responsibility for her actions and is still a valuable speaker for our series based on her life experience and accomplishment.
Wambach, a two-time gold medalist and World Cup champion with the U.S.Women’s National Team and the leading career scorer in international soccer, pled not guilty and was given permission by the court to travel for work. Police described her as polite and cooperative throughout the incident, according to several news reports.
‘Last night I was arrested for DUII in Portland after dinner at a friend’s house,’ Wambach said in a statement on Sunday. ‘Those that know me, know that I have always demanded excellence from myself. I have let myself and others down.I take full responsibility for my actions. This is all on me. I promise that I will do whatever it takes to ensure that my horrible mistake is never repeated.I am so sorry to my family, friends, fans and those that look to follow a better example.’
Some tickets, which are free, are still available for the lecture and can be picked up at EIsenower, the HUB-Robeson Center Information Desk, the Bryce Jordan Center Ticket Office or Penn State Tickets Downtown. There will be a stand-by line on Wednesday night for anyone unable to acquire a ticket.
