19+ things to know about Commencement speaker Mia Hamm
The Tar Heel legend has a résumé beyond soccer that includes a video game, a Barbie doll and prestigious Carolina accolades.
Editor’s note: There’s so much to share about Mia Hamm that we couldn’t narrow the list down to just 19 – the jersey number she wore at Carolina. You’ll see a few more sprinkled in throughout.
Former Carolina women’s soccer star Mia Hamm ’94 is stepping onto a different field in Chapel Hill on May 10. She’ll join 6,829 graduates and their loved ones in Kenan Stadium to deliver the 2025 Commencement address. In honor of her jersey number at Carolina, The Well has compiled 19 things to know about Hamm (and a few extra).
1. Hamm made her debut for the United States women’s national soccer team in 1987 at the age of 15, making her the youngest player in team history. In 1991, she joined the roster for the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup in China. At 19, she remained the youngest player on the team.
2. Hamm was the fourth of six children in her family, and her older brother and sister inspired her to play soccer.
3. As soon as Hamm stepped foot on Carolina’s campus, she said it “felt like home.” She eventually called Chapel Hill home for six years.
4. She helped the Tar Heels win four (1989, 1990, 1992, 1993) NCAA Division I women’s soccer championships.
5. Hamm’s favorite memory at Carolina was whenever she and fellow Tar Heels could celebrate a victory over Duke. Hamm got to lead a few of those victories, one being when the 1992 Carolina soccer team beat Duke in the national championship game 9-1.
6. She graduated holding the Carolina and NCAA career scoring records for goals (103), assists (72) and total points (278). Hamm led the nation in scoring in 1990, 1992 and 1993. She set the NCAA single season scoring record with 97 points in 1992.
7. In 1993, she was inducted into the Order of the Golden Fleece, the highest honorary society at Carolina.
8. She co-starred with Michael Jordan in a television commercial for Gatorade in the spring of 1999 that featured the two athletes competing against each other in a variety of sports. The commercial ends with Hamm throwing Jordan to the ground in a judo match.
9. Hamm was a forward for the U.S. women’s national soccer team for 17 years from 1987 to 2004. Hamm was named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year five consecutive times from 1994-1998.
10. Hamm graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
11. Hamm’s favorite UNC tradition was drinking from the Old Well on the first day of classes.
12. In 1994, Hamm received Carolina’s Patterson Medal – Outstanding Senior Athlete. The award, given to at least one male and one female student athlete, honors career achievement through athletic accomplishments, sportsmanship and leadership. That same year, she received the Honda Broderick Cup, given to the Most Outstanding Female Athlete in all of college sports.
During Mia Hamm’s time on the team, Carolina went 92-1-2, losing only once. (Carolina Athletics)
13. She was chosen by former professional soccer player Pelé as one of FIFA’s 125 greatest living players in the FIFA 100, to celebrate the organization’s 100th anniversary. She was one of only two women named to the list. She is a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion in 1991 and 1999, competing in four world cups total. She was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002.
14. Hamm was featured on a Wheaties box following the 1999 World Cup and endorsed the first Soccer Barbie by Mattel.
15. One of the habits Hamm adopted on the field that she brought to her everyday life was preparation. “Organize and prepare as much as you can and be flexible because it’s not always going to go the way you plan,” she said.
16. In 2000, the video game Mia Hamm Soccer 64 was released for Nintendo 64, being the first game to feature only female athletes.
17. She is married to former Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra and they have three children — twin daughters Ava and Grace and a son, Garrett. Hamm says her greatest achievement is her family, and that motherhood has been an exciting and challenging journey that has made her grow as a person every day.
18. One of Hamm’s favorite places to eat on Franklin Street is 411 West. Maybe you’ll run into her Commencement weekend!
19. The best advice Hamm received as she transitioned from a student to a Tar Heel alum? “You have to be proactive in your pursuits. Take the initiative.”
