Why do we love Mia?

The youngest woman ever on the US national soccer team, Mia has been breaking records and making fans across the world for half of her life. Mariel Margaret Hamm was born to Colonel Bill and Stephanie Hamm and spent her childhood traveling air force bases around the country. At each new school, Mia made friends by joining the sports teams. Mia's Texas league soccer coach contacted his friend who coached the US national team. Upon traveling to Texas, the impressed coach promptly added the 15-year old phenom to the roster.

Nicknamed "Jordan" during her career at the University of North Carolina for fierce competitiveness, focus, and amazing skill reminiscent of fellow UNC alumnus, Michael Jordan, Mia is the ultimate team player and shies away from the title of "World's Greatest Female Soccer Player." Her teammates and coaches are quick to point out that she always gives 100% every game. At one point, Team USA compiled a record of 62-2-2 in matches in which Mia scored.

Mia's brother Garrett died from complications related to aplastic anemia. In his memory, she created the Mia Hamm Foundation to support bone marrow disease research. The foundation is also dedicated to continuing the progress of and establishing programs for young women in sports. On the field or off, Mia scores!

Biography:

Born - March 17, 1972
Selma, Alabama

Achievements:

• Youngest women ever to play with the US National Team at age 15 - 1987
• Four-time NCAA soccer champion with University of North Carolina (1989, 1990, 1992, 1993)
• Named to NCAA All-Tournament Team (1989, 1990)
• All-American and ACC Player of the Year (1990, 1992, 1993)
• Youngest player on the 1991 World Championship-winning US Team at age 19
• Named US Soccer's Female Athlete of the Year (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)
• Had her UNC number (19) retired
• Received the Honda-Broderick Award as the nation's outstanding female collegiate athlete for 1994-95
• Third-place 1995 FIFA Women's World Championships; started all games; scored twice
• Gold Medal, 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games
• Named to People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" list in 1997
• 1997 US Women's Cup MVP
• One of Esquire Magazine's "100 Best People in the World" - 1997
• Women's Sports Foundation Team Athlete of the Year, 1997
• Nominee and finalist, US Olympic Committee's SportsWoman of the Year, 1997
• Gold medal, Goodwill Games in New York City, 1998
• In 1998, became the first US player to score 100 goals in her career, scored at US Cup in Rochester
• In 1999, became the world's leading goal scorer in international competition, male or female
• Nike names largest building on its corporate campus named after her in 1999
• Formed the Mia Hamm Foundation in 1999
• Lead USA to World Championship at the 1999 Women's World Cup
• ESPN's "Espy" award for Female Athlete of the Year (1998, 1999) and Soccer Player of the Year (1999)
• Silver medal, 2000 Sydney Olympic Games
• Founding member of the WUSA Women's Professional Soccer League, Washington Freedom