Mia Hamm, one of the most decorated soccer players in history and a four-time NCAA champion with UNC, will deliver the keynote address at the school’s 2025 spring graduation ceremony at Kenan Stadium on Saturday, May 10.
The selection was announced during the UNC Board of Trustees meeting Thursday morning and later posted by the university on its website.
“We are thrilled that Mia Hamm – arguably the most famous athlete in the world – will deliver the keynote address and share her unique perspective with our Class of 2025 graduates and their guests,” said Chancellor Lee Roberts. “She is a wonderful example of Carolina’s excellence, and we eagerly await the insights and advice she has for our graduates.”
“It is no exaggeration to describe her as one of the finest athletes in her sport – at any level and at any time,” Roberts concluded to the trustees.
Hamm led Carolina to national titles in 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1993. She sat out the 1991 season to play with the U.S. women’s national team in the first FIFA Women’s World Cup, which she also won. After returning to Chapel Hill, Hamm was named national player of the year in 1992 and 1993. She was also a three-time All-American, three-time ACC Player of the Year and two-time ACC Female Athlete of the Year. Her total points of 278 (103 goals and 72 assists) still stand as an NCAA record. The Tar Heels played a total of 95 games in which Hamm appeared, losing only once.
As a player for the U.S. national team, Hamm scored 158 international goals (a record among male and female players that stood from 2004 to 2013), won two World Cups and two Olympic gold medals. She was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2007.
Off the field, Hamm founded the Mia Hamm Foundation in 1999 to honor the memory of her brother Garrett. The foundation conducts bone marrow research and supports women’s sports programs. Hamm is also a benefactor of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. She received a Distinguished Alumna Award in 1997 and another Distinguished Alumna Award in 2009.
“I want the class of 2025 to know that Carolina has prepared them to define their own legacy in this world,” Hamm said. “It’s a place where I was constantly challenged, loved and developed – not only into the player, but into the person I am today.”
More information about the spring 2025 graduation ceremony will be announced at a later date on the graduation website, but Roberts confirmed Thursday that the ceremony would again be held at night, with a start time of 7 p.m.
Featured image via Dakota Moyer
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees and you can directly support our local journalism efforts here. Want more of what you see about Chapelboro? Let us bring you free local news and community information by subscribing to our newsletter.
You might also like
‹
UNC women’s soccer team defeats Wake Forest in ACC opener
Despite having fewer shots on goal on the night, the UNC women’s soccer team narrowly edged Wake Forest 1-0 on Thursday night at Dorrance Field. A goal by Kate Faasse in the 26th minute proved to be the only goal Carolina needed, as the junior from Phoenix rushed on a cross pass from Makenna Dominguez and fired the ball past the (…).
UNC women’s soccer beats Columbia in non-conference final
The UNC women’s soccer team earned a comeback win over Columbia on Sunday at Dorrance Field. It was Carolina’s final non-league game of the regular season. BACK IN THE WIN COLUMN!!#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/tbEorAK06W — UNC Women’s Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) September 8, 2024 Kate Faasse scored the first goal in the 25th minute in a (…)
Duke inflicts UNC women’s soccer team’s first loss of 2024 season
Carolina’s undefeated run to begin the 2024 season ended Thursday night in Durham when Duke defeated the Tar Heels 1-0. It is the first loss at Duke in the history of the UNC women’s soccer program and only the fifth overall. The Blue Devils scored the game’s only goal 38 seconds into the game (…)
UNC soccer: Women remain perfect with win against Arizona, men draw with Cal Baptist
In a full day of soccer at Dorrance Field on Sunday, the UNC women’s soccer team improved its season record to 4-0 with a 2-0 win over Arizona. Later in the evening, the men dominated play but settled for a 0-0 tie with California Baptist in the Tar Heels’ home opener. The women seemed to be on their way to (…)
UNC soccer: Women defeat No. 16 Georgia, men open season with win at UAB
Both UNC soccer teams picked up wins Thursday night as the fifth-ranked women’s team defeated No. 16 Georgia at Dorrance Field and the sixth-ranked men’s team won on the road at UAB. It was the opening game of the regular season for the men. The women’s game was full of offense as the Tar Heels kept the Bulldogs at bay (…)
Faasse’s heroics give UNC women’s soccer team a thrilling comeback win in Colorado
UNC’s Kate Faasse scored two goals in the final 2:46 of the second period on Sunday to help the Tar Heels overcome a 2-1 deficit in Colorado and earn a thrilling 3-2 victory. Faasse’s second goal came with less than a minute left. NO DOUBTS.#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/dP9DRGsxIQ — UNC Women’s (…)
UNC women’s soccer team beats Denver and earns first win without Anson Dorrance
The UNC women’s soccer team opened the 2024 regular season – and the post-Anson Dorrance era – with a 2-1 win at Denver on Thursday night. It’s Carolina’s first win without the services of the 22-time national champion coach, who announced his retirement on Sunday. Kicking off the season with a WIN FOR CAROLINA!! #GoHeels x (…)
“I just got struck by lightning”: Anson Dorrance says goodbye to the UNC women’s soccer team
As UNC women’s soccer head coach Anson Dorrance looked out at the assembled family and friends at his resignation press conference Monday afternoon, he began his speech by saying, “I am a proud son,” he said, “of the University of North Carolina.” Dorrance has truly defined what it means to be a (…).
Chansky’s Notebook: Master Class
Among the many famous stories about Anson Dorrance is the one about how he sneaked into a UNC basketball practice to watch Dean Smith.
Anson Dorrance, legendary head coach of the UNC women’s soccer team, announces his retirement
Anson Dorrance, who led the UNC women’s soccer program for 47 seasons and won an unprecedented 22 national championships, has announced his retirement. According to the program, Dorrance informed UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham on Friday and the team on Sunday. Anson Dorrance, one of the most successful coaches in the history of college sports, who (…) led
›
