UNC Soccer: Mia Hamm inducted into National Women’s Hall of Fame

The former UNC Soccer standout has been honored as a member of the National Women’s Hall of Fame Class of 2021.

On March 8, International Women’s Day, the National Women’s Hall of Fame announced the inductees for the Class of 2021. Among this year’s honorees is former UNC soccer standout Mia Hamm.

Hamm is one of nine women earning the prestigious honor this fall. Per the Women’s Hall of Fame database, Hamm becomes just the 13th athlete ever to earn this honor. She also becomes the first team athlete to be inducted, most notably as the first member of the United States women’s national soccer team (USWNT).

Inductees for the Women’s National Hall of Fame are nominated by the public. The nominees are then judged by a team of experts among the nominees’ career fields. They are selected for their contributions to American society in regards to the following areas: arts, athletics, business, education, government, humanities, philanthropy and science.

During her time in Chapel Hill, Hamm helped the Tar Heels win four consecutive NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer titles. She was a member of the USWNT from1987-2004, becoming a two-time Olympic gold medalist as well as two-time FIBA Women’s World Cup champion during that span.

Hamm had an illustrious career on the field, but her impact on the sport of soccer as a whole (especially for females) makes her one of most influential female athletes of her era. As she’ll become the first USWNT inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, it should open the door for more of her former teammates or even future players to eventually earn this honor.

Here is the full list of inductees who will join Hamm as part of the National Women’s Hall of Fame Class of 2021:

Michelle Obama
Katherine Johnson
Emily Howland
Octavia Butler
Judy Chicago
Rebecca Halstead
Joy Harjo
Indra Nooyi

The National Women’s Hall of Fame is located in Seneca Falls, the site of the first women’s rights convention. This year’s ceremony will take place on October 2, and it is expected that the ceremony will take place in person.

Tickets for the event are scheduled to be released in April or May, as the committee will look to have a better understanding of the COVID-19 protocols that coincide with live events. If you are interested in attending the event, check the National Women’s Hall of Fame website for more information.

Continue to follow the Keeping It Heel team for all the latest news and updates regarding Mia Hamm, and the UNC soccer program.