New York Times - United States - A record crowd of 4,800, many of them youngsters, watched Sunday as Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy were inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Hamm and Foudy were the bedrock of the United States team that won the inaugural Women’s World Cup in 1991, the 1999 Cup, and Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2004.

The other inductees were Alan Rothenberg, who helped start Major League Soccer and organize the 1994 World Cup as president of the United States Soccer Federation; and defender Bobby Smith, who played alongside Pelé for the Cosmos in the North American Soccer League.

ESPN - USA - On Sunday, former U.S. women's stars Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy will be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Both women made significant contributions to the game. Foudy, the captain of the team, became a leader in the women's sports movement.

Hamm became the all-time leader for international goals scored -- 158 in 275 matches.

"Mia was invaluable in the growth of soccer in this country," former U.S. women's coach Tony DiCicco said. "In every aspect -- the growth of it from a popularity standpoint, the growth of it from a marketing and financial standpoint, and the growth of the game

Bizjournals.com - Charlotte, NC, USA - Nike Inc. on Friday launched its multi-platform campaign, "ATHLETE," featuring world-class athletes Mia Hamm, Gabby Reece, Picabo Street and Serena Williams, among others, demanding that female athletes everywhere be respected and judged on their athletic abilities.

After speaking with young female athletes across the United States, Nike found they still feel "unequal" when it comes to being respected in sports.

"I am an athlete," Mia Hamm defiantly states before streetballer Alvina Carroll closes the spot saying ... "It's not a girl thing. It's not a boy thing. It's a skills thing."

"Female does not equal 'less than,' and women in sport need to

SportingNews.com - USA - Mia Hamm got her first glimpse of soccer stardom at age 14 when she planted herself in front of the TV during the 1986 World Cup. She was instantly bedazzled by Diego Maradona.

"I remember there was this drag-and-pull turn he did, and it was just unbelievable," she said. "I videotaped it, kept rewinding it and trying to do it."

Hamm quickly mastered the move, albeit "obviously not as smoothly as he did," and watched in wonder as Maradona led Argentina to the World Cup title. The entire spectacle, she said, turned into an "oh my gosh" realization of how much she

Hall Of Fame Magazine - New Bedford, MA, USA - The National Soccer Hall of Fame will officially unveil the new “Celebrating Women in Soccer” display on Saturday evening at the President’s Reception and Dinner.

“What a great way to highlight the progress women have made in soccer as we honor two of the great pioneers in the United States,” Hall of Fame President Steve Baumann said. “Not only are the accomplishments of these two outstanding women chronicled, but women from the earliest days of the 20th Century and the first days of the U.S. Women’s National Team program are also honored in images, text, and memorabilia. The overall display is

PR Newswire (press release) - New York, NY, USA - The National Soccer Hall of Fame announced today the Induction 2007 ceremonies on Sunday, August 26th in Oneonta will be presented by The Century Council's Girl Talk: Choices and Consequences of Underage Drinking. U.S. Women's National Team stars, two-time Olympic Gold Medalists, and two-time World Cup Champions Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy will be honored by induction into the Hall of Fame in the Player Category.

"We are delighted to enter into a long-term partnership with The Century Council," said George Brown, President of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. "A key element of our mission statement is to 'Inspire the

PR Newswire (press release) - New York, NY, USA - The National Soccer Hall of Fame announced today the Induction 2007 ceremonies on Sunday,August 26th in Oneonta will be presented by The Century Council's Girl Talk: Choices and Consequences of Underage Drinking. U.S. Women's National Team stars, two-time Olympic Gold Medalists, and two-time World Cup Champions Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy will be honored by induction into the Hall of Fame in the Player Category.

"We are delighted to enter into a long-term partnership with The Century Council," said George Brown, President of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. "A key element of our mission statement is to 'Inspire the Youth,'

nwitimes.com - Munster, IN, USA - In 1972, America was at war in Vietnam, President Nixon signed Title IX into law and future soccer star Mia Hamm was born.

Billie Jean King testified before Congress on behalf of Title IX, and three generations later the result is more female athletes, doctors and lawyers.

Saturday marks the 35th anniversary of the landmark legislation that bars gender bias in athletics and other educational programs.

"I kept thinking about women's teams sports," King said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I grew up with team sports and knew how vital it was that we have opportunity for girls to be in

USA Today - USA - They changed us. They inspired us to do better, be braver. They made us think. They gave us hope.

They did what many cannot fathom. One gave up riches as a football star to fight and die for his country. Another won the Tour de France seven consecutive times after chemotherapy and brain surgery. Another emerged not bitter or broken after 27 years in prison for fighting racism, but determined to find peace.

They are among 25 people who moved us during the past quarter-century, as selected by the staff of USA TODAY. Many have been famous and influential, but others were