We visit two Halls of Fame during the production of Raising Her Game.

In the summer of 2023, Trinity Byars and Lexi Missimo came to Frisco, Texas to see the National Soccer Hall of Fame for the first time. They had fun playing foosball and taking virtual PKs. They also learned a lot about the history of their sport via exhibits on the North American Soccer League, the men’s and women’s national teams, the evolution of youth soccer in the country and a lot more.

The facility adjoins Toyota Stadium, home to Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas. During our visit, FCD VP of Media and Communications Gina Miller texted us. RHG’s visit happened during the Women’s World Cup and a local TV station had asked if the club might be able to find them someone to interview on the subject. Luckily, we happened to have a couple of outstanding female soccer players and a fully-lit interview set handy. So their crew came and talked to Lexi and Trinity before we asked them our own questions.

Ashyn Miller, Lauren Lapomarda, and Lexi also visited the Frank Denius Family University of Texas Athletics Hall of Fame. They had a short walk from the soccer stadium to the north end of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. They checked out their school’s conference and national championship trophies (the facility houses lots). The trio also learned about Longhorns who had competed in the Olympic Games and won national awards. They observed displays dedicated to the members of the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor, including a former soccer player their team had met earlier in the season, Dr. Kelly McDonald Freeman.

During both shoots, we enjoyed observing the personal connections the players found to certain exhibits. When encountering the name of a former Texas star quarterback, Ashlyn Miller commented, “Vince Young has a steakhouse. That’s so good. That’s my favorite steakhouse in Austin.” And in looking at the MAC Hermann Trophy at the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Trinity commented, “Michelle got it last year.” They had played against 2022 winner Michelle Cooper of Duke in the NCAA Tournament the previous season and with her on U.S. youth national teams.