Photo by: AP
Mia Hamm Inducted Into U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall Of Fame
June 24, 2022 | Women's Soccer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Three-time Olympic medalist and FIFA Women's World Cup champion since concluding her All-America and Herman Trophy-winning award career at North Carolina, Mia Hamm will be inducted into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame in the individual category tonight during a ceremony at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs.
One of the most decorated players in U.S. Women's Soccer history, Hamm led Team USA to the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, the first Olympics to feature women's soccer, and the 2004 Olympics in Athens. She also helped the U.S. capture silver at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, while winning the World Cup in 1991 and 1999.
Hamm was previously inducted into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2004 as a member of the 1996 Olympic Team along with former USWNT and Carolina teammate Kristine Lilly, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame as an individual in 2012.
Hamm retired from international competition in 2004 with a record 275 national team appearances and 158 team goals. Eighteen years after her retirement, she's still second all-time in national team goals scored. Hamm was the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002.
During her time in Chapel Hill, Hamm led the Tar Heels to four NCAA championship, while leading in the nation in scoring tin 1990, 1992, and 1993. A three-time ACC Player of the Year, Hamm graduated as the conference's all-time leader in goals scored (103), assists (72) and total points (278). She was the recipient of the Honda-Broderick Award as the nation's outstanding female collegiate athlete for 1993-94.
"The American women's game and its popularity was built on her back," UNC Head Coach Anson Dorrance said. "After that 1999 world championship at the Rose Bowl in front of 90,000 people, every girl in America wanted to be Mia.
"The first women's professional league was launched because of her popularity, and she isn't done yet. The rollout for Angel City of the NWSL which she has invested in has been incredible. She has made it cool to be involved in our game again. We all remain in her debt."
Hamm is joined by 2022 inductees Natalie Coughlin (University of California, Berkeley/swimming), Muffy Davis (Para alpine skiing and Para-cycling), David Kiley (Para alpine skiing, Para track and field, and wheelchair basketball), Michelle Kwan (figure skating), Michael Phelps (swimming), Lindsey Vonn (alpine skiing), Trischa Zorn-Hudson (University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Para swimming), the 1976 Women's 4x100 Freestyle Relay Swimming Team, the 2002 Paralympic Sled Hockey Team, Gretchen Fraser (University of Puget Sound/alpine skiing), Roger Kingdom (University of Pittsburgh/track and field), Pat Summitt (University of Tennessee/basketball coach) and Billie Jean King (special contributor).
National Governing Bodies, alumni, current athletes, and additional members of the Olympic and Paralympic community were invited to nominate eligible athletes. From there, a nominating committee comprised of individuals from the Olympic and Paralympic movements narrowed it down to a set of finalists. The class of 2022 was determined by a voting process that included Olympians and Paralympians, members of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic family, and an online vote open to fans; more than 432,000 votes were cast across all platforms.
More information about the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame, including a comprehensive list of inductees, can be found online at TeamUSA.org/Hall-Of-Fame.
About the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame was established in 1979 to celebrate the achievements of America's premier athletes in the modern Olympic and Paralympic Games. The first U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame class was inducted in 1983 during a ceremony in Chicago and included Team USA greats such as Muhammad Ali, Bob Beamon, Peggy Fleming, Al Oerter, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, Mark Spitz, Jim Thorpe and the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" men's hockey team.
One of the most decorated players in U.S. Women's Soccer history, Hamm led Team USA to the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, the first Olympics to feature women's soccer, and the 2004 Olympics in Athens. She also helped the U.S. capture silver at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, while winning the World Cup in 1991 and 1999.
Hamm was previously inducted into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2004 as a member of the 1996 Olympic Team along with former USWNT and Carolina teammate Kristine Lilly, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame as an individual in 2012.
Hamm retired from international competition in 2004 with a record 275 national team appearances and 158 team goals. Eighteen years after her retirement, she's still second all-time in national team goals scored. Hamm was the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002.
During her time in Chapel Hill, Hamm led the Tar Heels to four NCAA championship, while leading in the nation in scoring tin 1990, 1992, and 1993. A three-time ACC Player of the Year, Hamm graduated as the conference's all-time leader in goals scored (103), assists (72) and total points (278). She was the recipient of the Honda-Broderick Award as the nation's outstanding female collegiate athlete for 1993-94.
"The American women's game and its popularity was built on her back," UNC Head Coach Anson Dorrance said. "After that 1999 world championship at the Rose Bowl in front of 90,000 people, every girl in America wanted to be Mia.
"The first women's professional league was launched because of her popularity, and she isn't done yet. The rollout for Angel City of the NWSL which she has invested in has been incredible. She has made it cool to be involved in our game again. We all remain in her debt."
Hamm is joined by 2022 inductees Natalie Coughlin (University of California, Berkeley/swimming), Muffy Davis (Para alpine skiing and Para-cycling), David Kiley (Para alpine skiing, Para track and field, and wheelchair basketball), Michelle Kwan (figure skating), Michael Phelps (swimming), Lindsey Vonn (alpine skiing), Trischa Zorn-Hudson (University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Para swimming), the 1976 Women's 4x100 Freestyle Relay Swimming Team, the 2002 Paralympic Sled Hockey Team, Gretchen Fraser (University of Puget Sound/alpine skiing), Roger Kingdom (University of Pittsburgh/track and field), Pat Summitt (University of Tennessee/basketball coach) and Billie Jean King (special contributor).
National Governing Bodies, alumni, current athletes, and additional members of the Olympic and Paralympic community were invited to nominate eligible athletes. From there, a nominating committee comprised of individuals from the Olympic and Paralympic movements narrowed it down to a set of finalists. The class of 2022 was determined by a voting process that included Olympians and Paralympians, members of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic family, and an online vote open to fans; more than 432,000 votes were cast across all platforms.
More information about the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame, including a comprehensive list of inductees, can be found online at TeamUSA.org/Hall-Of-Fame.
About the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame was established in 1979 to celebrate the achievements of America's premier athletes in the modern Olympic and Paralympic Games. The first U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame class was inducted in 1983 during a ceremony in Chicago and included Team USA greats such as Muhammad Ali, Bob Beamon, Peggy Fleming, Al Oerter, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, Mark Spitz, Jim Thorpe and the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" men's hockey team.
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