Written By: Amy Willison Minicilli '04

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If you have ever met Tracy Hamm, you know how truly special she is. Tracy does everything with a purpose, a clear intention and a fiery passion. It radiates so naturally and is felt by all those in her presence. When Tracy walks into a room or onto a soccer field, you feel it. You really, really feel it. Her energy is contagious. She has an undeniable confidence and you cannot help but feel inspired.

 

I remember my junior year when Tracy showed up to training camp as a freshman. I was immediately drawn by her conviction and her competitive spirit. She waltzed in with so much poise and self-assurance that I thought to myself “Okay, this chick is a badass. Not only are we going to be great teammates, but we’re going to be great friends.”  I’m happy that my initial thoughts that day came to fruition. Throughout our years together at Cal, we shared so many amazing memories on and off the field. I am so grateful to have played with Tracy and to have experienced firsthand that Tracy Hamm magic that ignites when she’s on the field. 

 

By the end of her freshman year at Cal in 2002, Tracy was the leading scorer with nine goals and was named Cal's Freshman of the Year. During her four-year tenure at Cal, she was an All-Pac-10 academic honorable mention three times and started every game in her junior and senior seasons.

 

Tracy remained committed to soccer after graduating in 2006. She played with the California Storm, as well as FC Gold Pride and Atlanta Beat in the WPS. At the end of her illustrious playing career, Tracy turned her passion into purpose by choosing to coach soccer at Santa Rosa Junior College, San Francisco State and now currently at UC Davis. Tracy is also only one of two American women to hold the prestigious United European Football Association A coaching license. Tracy was also the subject of the 2019 documentary film, “Coach”, which followed her quest to earn the internationally renowned UEFA A coaching license.

 

Tracy is many things: smart, tough, resilient, compassionate, humble, and fun as hell. She is a movie star, motivator, role model, a lion who doesn’t need to roar and most definitely a legend. Her work ethic is unmatched. She does not take ‘no’ for an answer. When she wants something, she works hard and finds a way to make it happen. She embodies “leadership by example”, and we are so fortunate to call her a Bear. 

 

“Tracy is the kind of friend who shows up. Always shows up. She puts everyone around her first—the best kind of friend and person to have in your life.”

Torrey Delaplane '08

 

“Saying Tracy is incredible simply isn't good enough. There's not a strong enough word. She's a force, she inspires and motivates everyone around her, she defines toughness, she's fun as hell, and beyond all else, she's fiercely loyal. She taught me to be a stronger player, she made me a better friend, and she pushed me to be my best self. She still pushes me to be better, even from afar. At 36 years old, Tracy continues to inspire me. Her relentless pursuit of greatness is contagious. Her motto of ‘how you do anything is how you do everything’ is now one of mine too.”

Liz Eisenberg Casso-Gomez '06

“Tracy is badass! She does things unapologetically at 110%, but with the motivation of few and a huge heart. She is strong, but soft, unapologetic and honest. She has the courage to take risks, go out of her comfort zone, and the courage to go where there are no guarantees. She is fierce, fearless, motivated, passionate, and determined! Most of all, she has the balance between being gentle and being fierce. Again, she is a badass and we all love her.”

Ashley Valenzuela Takeoka '04