Paralympic Profile: Jen Armbruster

Jen Armbruster is among the best to ever play goalball, the premier team sport for the blind. In September, she leads the US women’s team to Beijing for the Paralympic Summer Games.

Armbruster won gold and MVP honors at six US championships and has captained the U.S. team since 2000, winning the World Championship in 2002. She was among the first athletes to obtain residency at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs—a milestone in the Paralympic movement.

The Game of Goalball

What aspects of goalball fire you up?

The sound of the ball hitting the back of the opposing net is the sweetest sound in the world. Also, the sound of an opponent breaking to the ball, discovering too late that it’s not a power shot but a slow curve that slips easily through an eight-foot hole in the defense. The proudest moment of any game, however, is shutting out the other team.

What's your most cherished accomplishment?

Our 2004 national title was the most impressive. Nobody thought we could beat the Kalamazoo Chaos, but we took them into sudden death overtime tied 0-0. On the first shot of the second overtime I hit a ball breaking hard right that the center pushed behind her wing into the net. Winning the 2001 Pan Am Games, starting a three-year unbeaten streak that included the 2002 World Championships was also special, as was our May win (in sudden death extra throws) over China at the Malmo Ladies InterCup in Sweden.

What's it like being coached by your father, Ken Armbruster?

He’s been my coach for years. He’s my coach before being my father. Once one of us retires, maybe we will be father and daughter first. It works for us though. After a match, there’s a momentary glimpse of father and daughter, sharing a hug in victory or defeat, letting me know he’s proud of me. He has helped the sport and me so much. I had neither a state team nor a coach, so he picked up the rulebook and we read it front to back many times. He spent hours with me in the gym developing drills. He spends hours watching games and developing strategies, as do I. Our team members, including Asya Miller, often say we share a brain.

Goalball and the Disabled Sports Movement

How did USOC residency help you?

It gave me the chance to focus on training and make it my top priority. The more court-time you get with teammates, the better off you are. I think just training, however, is unhealthy. You need something outside to provide balance. Three of us will be living in Colorado this summer, but in our own places doing our own thing, but still training together.

What does the Paralympic movement need to keep growing?

We aren’t where we should be but it’s better than it was. It cost me $1,200 (plus expenses needed just to qualify) to travel to the 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona. Since 1996, travel to the game is paid for. I think the amateur sports movement disappeared when we let professionals in the Olympics: who wants to “sponsor” a professional athlete? Our focus should be funding athletes so they can train and travel to regional camps and competitions while only having to work part time.

Beijing and Beyond

How are the Beijing Paralympics shaping up?

We’re looking great for China. That May win at Malmo was a stepping-stone and by July, we’ll have seen all the major teams accept Brazil. We are beginning to gel, and we’ll be ready to match up against the best in the world.

What’s your career focus?

I work at the Lakeshore Foundation, which runs a Paralympic/Olympic training site and fitness center geared towards the disabled. After the Paralympics, I hope to work with injured veterans and finish my teacher certification.

Jen Armbruster at 2007 US Goalball Championships

Armbruster makes a diving save

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