Mia Hamm

Mia Hamm, the youngest player to join the United States women’s national soccer team at age 15 in 1987, went on to become one of the most decorated athletes in soccer history. Hamm also served a red-shirted season in 1991 to prepare for the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup, which she then won with the national team that same year. She was recognized as ACC Female Athlete of the Year in both 1993 and 1994, and received the U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year award five consecutive times from 1994 to 1998.

She also holds the record for career assists on the U.S. national team with 144. Her exceptional talent was recognized globally when she was named FIFA World Player of the Year in both 2001 and 2002, and was later included in Pelé’s prestigious FIFA 100 list of the greatest living players in 2004. Following her retirement from international play in 2004, Hamm transitioned into sports ownership and advocacy.

Her profound impact on the sport has been recognized with numerous inductions into halls of fame, including the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (2006), the National Soccer Hall of Fame (2007), the Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2008), the National Women’s Hall of Fame (2021), and as the first woman inducted into the World Football Hall of Fame in 2013. In 2014, she was honored with the Golden Foot Legends Award.