From Broncos to Bay FC: Founders Reflect on Their SCU Roots

Bay FC founders (left to right) Brandi Chastain ’91, Aly Wagner ’02, Leslie Osborne ’05, and Danielle Slaton ’02 photographed at Santa Clara University in 2023. (Business Wire via AP)

When Bay FC launched in 2023 as the Bay Area’s first National Women’s Soccer League team, it felt like a homecoming for founding members: Brandi Chastain ’91, Danielle Slaton ’02, Aly Wagner ’02, and Leslie Osborne ’05. 

The founding team shares more than Olympic medals and World Cup appearances—they share a deep connection to Santa Clara University, a place they all attended for college that shaped their leadership, values and vision for creating a professional soccer team rooted in community. 

Both Brandi Chastain and Danielle Slaton credit their growth to their time at the University. For Slaton, Santa Clara University was more than a college—it was where she grew up. As a three-time captain for the women’s soccer team, Slaton credits Coach Jerry Smith, former captains and teammates for shaping her leadership style. “It was a place that gave me the time and experience to learn and practice some of these things that I have applied later in life,” said Slaton. 

Chastain began her college career at a larger university before transferring to Santa Clara University in search of a different kind of college experience. “Santa Clara was exactly what I needed and what I ended up falling in love with as far as my academic and personal pursuits,” said Chastain.

The relationships they created at the University later became the catalyst for something bigger. The idea for Bay FC began in 2020, shortly after Angel City FC was announced in Los Angeles. Inspired by the wave of US Women’s National Team players launching NWSL teams, Osborne created a text chain with her former teammates. 

All four founders lived in San Jose and kept in touch over the years. Their shared experiences and deep love for the Bay Area created a foundation for a bold new venture. 

“We’ve got people who are knowledgeable about the game who have shown historically over the few decades that women’s soccer is really supported,” said Chastain, who credited Northern California’s rich history in women’s soccer and the region’s beauty as key motivators. 

Bay FC was built on three pillars, focusing on being player-centric, community-oriented and globally ambitious. From the beginning, both Slaton and Chastain emphasized that every decision by Bay FC would prioritize the needs of the players. They envisioned Bay FC as a team so intertwined in the Bay Area that relocation would be unimaginable. 

At the same time, they dreamed big. Bay FC hoped to stand alongside the biggest men’s sports brands in the world, like the MLB’s New York Yankees, Manchester United and the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. 

Their commitment to “people-first” leadership echoes the values of Santa Clara University’s Jesuit education. “That is very core to what Santa Clara is about and what the purpose of a Jesuit education is,” said Chastain. “And we definitely found that at Santa Clara.”

Both Slaton and Chastain credit the University for teaching them how to fight through adversity. Slaton reflected on her 2001 NCAA championship season, marked by the uncertainty of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the pressures of senior year. “Ending on a Cinderella note—to cap off your college career with something really special for me personally, and getting to do something that no one had done at Santa Clara before, winning the first-ever women’s soccer national championship—is something I’ll always be really proud of,” said Slaton. 

For Chastain, resilience came through injury. After suffering two ACL tears that sidelined her from soccer for two and a half years, she found her way back to the sport at the University. “Santa Clara was like a resurrection for me,” said Chastain. “I got to come back with a different perspective. I was much more humble, much more grateful.”

Both Chastain and Slaton offered advice to Santa Clara University students, highlighting that success isn’t about multitasking everything, but it’s about being fully present in every moment. “Be present in whatever it is you’re doing at the moment,” advised Slaton. 

Whether it’s soccer, school, friends or planning for the future, Slaton encourages students to invest deeply in each experience of their lives. She emphasizes the importance of building relationships and taking advantage of Santa Clara University’s strong alumni network. 

Chastain offered a more philosophical perspective, urging students to embrace the unpredictability of life. “Be yourself. Be honest. Ask questions. Stay curious. Hold your ground when you really believe in something, and don’t be afraid of change,” said Chastain. She credited her mother as her biggest inspiration, a woman who gave up her career to raise a family, but never stopped believing she could make a difference. 

Santa Clara University became a place of comfort for Slaton. It taught her how to work hard and to compete even in the face of failure. More importantly, it showed her the power of community and connection. “Some of the people that I met there are some of my best friends,” said Slaton. “Literally, the people that I met at Santa Clara helped me start Bay FC.”

Chastain echoed that sentiment, crediting the University with shaping her success both on and off the field. “The people around you matter,” she said. “And Santa Clara had the best people I’ve met in my life.”

Together, their journeys leave a lasting impression, not just on athletes but on anyone aiming to lead with purpose. Their stories teach us that leadership, resilience, and community are values that should be carried forward. From their time at Santa Clara University to the national stage, and now to Bay FC, their paths reflect what’s possible when people stay rooted in their community and are committed to making a difference in the world.