Mariel (Mia) M. Hamm

INTRODUCTION:: "Who gives a flying flip about Mia Hamm?" some people might ask. Well, Mia has encouraged many females (all ages) to pay attention to a sport called soccer or football to some. If you havn't heard of her, or don't know that much about her, read the next few paragraphs. I hope you will find out some very interesting facts about Mia.

USA:: Mia Hamm plays for the cup-winning soccer team. If you guessed the USA National Team you are correct! She is the best female soccer player that ever lived. USA is very lucky to have Mia on their team. She is on the lists for scoring alot of goals, but this time she's at the top.

BASIC INFORMATION:: Mia was Born on March 17, 1972, in Selma, Alabama. Her full name is Mariel Margret Hamm. Her brother, Garret, died of aplastic anemia. Mia married Christian Cory, a Marine Corps pilot. She lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She went to the Unniversity of North Carolina. Mia's UNC jersey was retired in 1994. She created the Mia Hamm Foundation to help research bone marrow diseases, and so every female could play the sport they love. She weighs approximitly 125 pounds. Mia is about 5-5 in height. Almost 99% of the time she plays forward. Mia was put in goal, when Brianna Scurry was thrown out the game! She is the famous number nine!

HIGHLIGHTS IN SCHOOL:: Mia was the All-American from Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Virginia. She also played at Notre Dame high School in Witchita Falls, Texas. Mia was a four-time member of the NCAA champion University of North Carolina, 1989-93; three-time All-American. She was a two-time Missouri Athletic Club and Hermmann Award winner in 1992-93. Mia graduated in May of 1994 with a degree in political science. She completed her collegiate career as the confrence's all-time leading scorer with (103) goals, (72) assists, and (278) points.

NATIONAL TEAM:: The USA has a record of 62-2-2 and Mia has scored in every soccer match. She was named U.S. Soccer's Female Athlete of tht Year three times in a row. She scored her first goal on July 25, 1990, verse Norway. Mia was a member of the Gold Medal winning Nationial Team at the Centennial Olympics. She has captured the hearts of millions from all over the world with her slashing and dynamic attacking ways. Mia's scored more goals then anyone who has ever lived. She sprained her ankle on the first round of the Olympics, but fought back to dominate Norway (semifinal) and China (final). She has scored in thirteen different countries against 25 different teams. Mia Hamm was the youngest member ever to play on the National Team, she joined when she was fifteen. Her first played game was on August 3, 1987, verse China. Mia has appeared on a few different magazine covers as Athlete of the year. In 1996 she lead the team with 19 goals and 18 assists.