Jordan Angeli, a Santa Clara women’s soccer alumna, first felt the spark of the sport at a camp at age fifteen, a moment that set her on a path that would blend athletic ambition with academic pursuit.
She earned a degree in marketing and communication from Santa Clara’s Leavey School of Business, where she learned the power of storytelling and community building — skills that would later help shape a professional women’s soccer venture in Colorado.
Angeli’s time at Santa Clara was marked by the relationships she forged with teammates and coaches, a culture that emphasized humility and accountability. Under the guidance of head coach Jerry Smith, she absorbed lessons that extended far beyond the pitch.
Building a Professional Platform in Colorado
Inspired by her own collegiate experience and the camaraderie of fellow Bronco alumni, Angeli founded Denver Summit FC with the explicit goal of bringing top‑level women’s soccer to the Rocky Mountain region. The club’s debut match at PayPal Park on March 14 featured a showdown against Bay FC, a fixture that attracted 63,004 spectators — a new attendance record for a women’s professional game in the state.
The record‑breaking crowd underscored the pent‑up demand for high‑profile women’s soccer in Colorado and validated Angeli’s vision. The match also earned a commendation from Coach Smith, who highlighted Angeli’s leadership and the club’s role in elevating the sport’s profile.
Beyond the field, Angeli uses her platform to mentor current Santa Clara students, urging them to trust their intuition and pursue their dreams with confidence. Her story illustrates how collegiate values can translate into tangible community impact.