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Andrea Larsen
Mrs. Bartel
English 9 Seventh Period
21 November 2010
One Goal at a Time
Failure leads to success. Michael Jordan, perhaps the best basketball player ever, was cut
from his high school varsity team in tenth grade. One of Beethoven’s teachers called him
“hopeless as a composer” (qtd. in “But They Did Not Give Up”). To Think That I Saw it on
Mulberry Street, Dr. Seuss’s first book, was rejected by 27 publishers. A newspaper editor fired
Walt Disney for lacking imagination and creativity (“But They Did Not Give Up”). Each of
these examples shows perseverance and commitment in following their dreams. Likewise Mia
Hamm has shown these same qualities to reach her own dream as one of the greatest women’s
soccer players ever. Through her determination, drive, accomplishments, heart, and attitude, Mia
Hamm embodies the aphorism: “… if you really want it, then you’ll make your dream happen”
(qtd. in Albom 47).
Mia Hamm was born to be a soccer player. She was born on March 17, 1972 in Selma,
Alabama. Her family moved around a lot because her dad was a colonel in the Air Force. But
that did not stop Mia. From the start, Mia’s mom wanted her to be a dancer, but Mia simply
preferred soccer. She found stability on the soccer field, amidst all of the moving. Her dad’s
passion was also soccer, and he frequently took the kids to games. A huge influence on Mia was
her brother, Garret, who was adopted into the family. He was only three years older than Mia,
and was extremely athletic. Whenever he went outside to go play sports, she would always be
right behind him. In Wichita Falls, Texas, Mia joined her first soccer team- a co-ed pee-wee
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league. She had a blast, and scored many goals. She was already in love with the game (“Mia
Hamm,” Contemporary Heroes).
Mia’s determination and drive got her very far in the sport. At age ten, she joined a boy’s
team, and was the only girl in the league. She gained confidence and soon she became the
team’s lead scorer. When she scored, opponents would often get angry. The boys would get
aggravated, play rough, and shove her down. Before long, she learned how to use her quickness
to avoid collisions. She developed a sense of fearlessness playing with the boys. She was a very
dedicated player. Most days in the summer, she would be out practicing on an empty field by
eight in the morning. The endless hours she put in on her own propelled her forward and made a
difference (“Mia Hamm,” Contemporary Heroes; “Mia Hamm,” Scribner). Mia took a step
forward at age fourteen, when she joined the U.S. Olympic development team. She was first
noticed here for her incredible speed. She tired defenders quickly with her explosive
acceleration and unstoppable fire. In 1987, when Mia was only fifteen, she joined the national
team. Weighing 125 pounds and only five-foot-five, Mia was the youngest member ever, male
or female (“Mia Hamm,” Contemporary Heroes; “Mia Hamm,” Sports Stars). Although this
was a challenge, Mia’s determination and competitiveness made her excel and improve. Mia
scored her first goal with her new national team in 1990, against Norway. She worked hard and
despite still being the youngest player on the U.S. team, Mia led her team to victory in the 1991
World Cup in China. She was a star just following her dreams (“Mia Hamm,” Contemporary
Heroes; “Mia Hamm,” Scribner).
Mia’s accomplishments clearly show how talented and ambitious she is. First, Mia
played for Notre Dame High School in Wichita Falls, Texas and led them to the high school state
title (“Mia Hamm,” Sports Stars). Each of her four years there, she led the North Carolina Tar
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Heels to NCAA victories. Mia, with 103 goals, 72 assists, and 278 points, set conference records.
She scored more goals than any other player in women's soccer history, and quickly became an
American icon. In 1992 and 1993, Mia was distinguished as the best woman college soccer
player in the entire country when she won the Herman Award. Also, Mia received the U.S.
Soccer Female Athlete of the Year award five years in a row: 1994-1998 (“Mia Hamm,”
Contemporary Heroes; “Mia Hamm,” Sports Stars). She was selected U.S. Women's Cup MVP
in 1995 and 1997, and helped lead the U.S. national team to win the 1996 Olympic gold medal.
In 1999, Mia scored her 108th goal, a new record for international women’s goal scoring. Also
in 1999, her team defeated China to win the World Cup. In 2000, Mia and the USA national
team won a silver medal at the Sydney, Australia Olympic Games. In addition, Mia was elected
to be the first soccer player ever at the Olympic Closing Ceremonies to carry the United States
flag. She still holds the record of 158 goals scored in international competition, male or female
(“About Mia;” “Mia Hamm,” Contemporary Heroes; “Mia Hamm,” Great Women; “Mia
Hamm,” Scribner).
Mia Hamm’s raw talent only could get her so far. It was her true love of the game of
soccer that allowed her to reach the level she did. It was back when she lived in Florence, Italy,
where she first fell in love with soccer (“Mia Hamm,” Sports Stars). In her book, Hamm said,
"The fun- the pure joy of kicking a ball on a soccer field, the time spent bonding with teammates
and the feeling of being as fit and strong as you can be- is more important than any result" (xiiixiv). She loves the challenge of being the best and getting better. She loves the pressure and the
fans. She loves the game (Hamm 24). A big part of her heart is also her brother Garret. He was
the most influential person in her life, and passed away in 1997, when he was only twenty-eight
years old. He will always be her inspiration in soccer and life (Hamm 12). When he died, she
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knew she had to get back on the field and play, because that was where he would want her to be.
Her teammates were extremely supportive and helpful through this struggle. Playing soccer with
her teammates helped her deal with her grief and focus (Hamm 39). However, Mia did not just
give her heart to soccer. After six years of marriage, she got divorced in 2001. In 2003, she
married Nomar Garciaparra, a baseball star. Mia gave birth to two twin daughters, named Ava
and Grace, in 2007. Also, Mia gives her whole heart to helping others. "She gives much of her
precious free time to charitable causes and strives, in anything she does, to promote women's
athletics, the sport of soccer, and a feeling of confidence and sense of purpose in young people"
(qtd. in “About Mia”). People magazine gave Mia one of the spots in their fifty most beautiful
people in the world list in 1997. She was the only female athlete on the list (“Mia Hamm,”
Contemporary Heroes). Mia is a true example of a girl who had a dream and went after it. She
is a shining example that anyone can look up to and say they want to be like. She has a huge
heart, made an enormous impact on soccer, and is a role model for girls everywhere (“About
Mia”).
Lastly, Mia’s positive attitude was one of her best qualities, a quality that was a necessity
through all of her obstacles. She always kept her chin up and fought through all of her hardships,
knowing that the results would come. She knew she could not dwell on the negatives and that
she had to keep on going and stay confident. She was soft-spoken and was the type of person
everyone wanted to be around. Mia said in her book, "I couldn't have scored one goal without
my teammates" (9). She will not admit that she was one of the best soccer players in the world,
and is extremely humble in all of her accomplishments. Mia always promoted soccer before
herself (“Mia Hamm,” Notable Sports Figures; “Mia Hamm,” Sports Stars). In addition to being
humble, Mia’s attitude towards improving was unbelievable. She was focused, determined, and
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mentally tough. She knew that it was her job to go run on her own and that no one was going to
do it for her. She knew that not everyone was putting in those extra hours, and that is what sets
the champions apart. She knew she had to work extra hard if she wanted to be the best (Hamm
45).
On December 8th, 2004, Mia played her last international game of her U.S. career. Mia
retired from the national team in 2004 after seventeen years, two Olympic gold medals, and two
World Cup championships, but her legacy does not stop there. In August of 2007, Mia was put
into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. In 2008, Mia was put into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame
(“About Mia;” “Mia Hamm,” Contemporary Heroes). "Mia Hamm is considered the best allaround female soccer player in the world and one of America's most recognizable athletes" (qtd.
in “Mia Hamm,” Scribner). Even so, Mia disagrees. Hamm said in her book, "Many people say
I'm the best women's soccer player in the world. I don't think so. And because of that, someday
I might just be" (3).
Mia Hamm’s success was a result of her many admirable characteristics. Her
determination pushed her through her setbacks, obstacles, and hardships. Her drive forced her to
work on and perfect her weaknesses. Every accomplishment she made inspired her to keep
moving forward in reaching her goals. She put her heart into every moment she played soccer
and truly loved it. She devoted herself and had passion for the sport. Her attitude was positive
through every occasion, good or bad. She is a role model for athletes of any sport, and her
character is incredible. Mia Hamm really does exemplify the aphorism: “…if you really want it,
then you’ll make your dream happen” (qtd. in Albom 47). Like anyone, she was just a kid who
loved a sport. Muhammad Ali said, "Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made
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from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision” (qtd. in “Top Ten
List”).