Disney Highlights Alex Morgan

Pauline Villegas, Asst. A&E Editor

A new Disney XD documentary series, “Becoming,” featuring inspiring well-known athletes talking  about their journey to the top, focused on Diamond Bar High School’s alumni Alex Morgan in its Sept. 13 premiere.

The pilot, which aired last October, focused on the basketball career of Lebron James, who is also the producer of the series.

“I appreciate Disney for picking up the series, and we’re going to get some really, really good athletes, both male and female, and do our best to hit a lot of homes and TV’s for these kids,” James said during an interview with ESPN.

The September show followed Morgan’s soccer career from her time at Diamond Bar AYSO, to her position on the U.S. Women’s National Team. Each episode is thirty minutes long and contains background information on the athlete, along with interviews with those closest to them.

Morgan’s sister, Jeri Morgan, was interviewed alongside her father and coaches from her past. They each explained her love for soccer and the hardships she’s faced throughout the years. Morgan went from being rejected from a club team she tried out for, to getting a spot on the most prestigious women’s team in the country.

The show also included never-before-seen footage of Morgan playing soccer as a teenager, and practicing with her friends on the Diamond Bar Ayso team.

The airing of the episode coincided with Morgan’s new book, “Breakaway,” which also touches on her journey in the soccer world and what it takes to be both an Olympic gold medalist and a Woman’s World Cup champion.

The show also revealed  how Morgan found out she would begin training with the National team, and how hard it was at first for her to  take soccer seriously. Morgan also had to adjust to playing on a club team because, for the first time, she wasn’t the best player on the field.

After making it on the national team, Morgan expressed her excitement in  getting the chance to be a role model and inspire young girls to do their  best.

In addition to Morgan, athletes such as Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers and Tim Howard of the U.S. Men’s Soccer Team will also be featured.

“I’m excited about ‘Becoming’ because it’s something every young kid can relate to,” James said.