Retired women's soccer star Mia Hamm gave inspiring advice on Nov. 4 to a packed room at the UT Delta Gamma Lectureship Series.

DG regularly hosts the events, which focus on values and ethics. Hamm's was moderated by Daron Roberts, a Plan II lecturer and former coach, and held at the AT&T Conference Center on campus.

Hamm discussed many aspects of herself at the event, but kept coming back to the importance she's placed on relationships made while going through meaningful experiences. She said that going to college while her parents were living in another country caused her to become very close with her team, as if they were her family. Hamm said those college relationships continue to grow today.

Another example she gave was the team she competed in the 1999 Women’s World Cup with. She said that team members trusted each other and their coach, playing the positions they were asked to by the coach even when they weren't their strong points, because his assignment meant he believed they could do it.

One of her final words of advice came when asked by an audience member how collegiate athletes can carry the lessons they learn while being a captain or leader on their team into the real world. Her response was, “Be you.”

She said she learned that you can’t copy the leadership style of someone else. You have to find what works for you and use that to your advantage.

“Someone is always going to do something better than you,” Hamm said.

Event organizer Maysa Torabi (left), Mia Hamm, Daron Roberts