Big Ten renames award in honor of UW Huskies’ Mia Hamant

The Big Ten Conference announced Thursday it is honoring late UW Huskies goalkeeper Mia Hamant by renaming an award in her honor.

The conference’s award for its top goalie will now be named the Mia Hamant Goalkeeper of the Year Award.

Hamant died on Nov. 6, 2025, from Stage 4 kidney cancer. She was 21 years old.

“Already a leader on the field and a national standout in the goal, Mia Hamant not only inspired the University of Washington, its athletic department and its soccer program, she inspired all of the Big Ten and so many more with the spirit displayed in facing one of the toughest challenges one can face,” Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti said in a release. “The Big Ten will keep her memory and story alive with this coveted honor bearing her name.”

Hamant, a Corte Madera, California, native, took over as the Huskies starting goalkeeper during her junior season in 2024. She led the Big Ten and ranked third in the country with an 0.882 save percentage while allowing just 0.66 goals per game, the third-best mark in program history. Her efforts helped the Huskies reach the NCAA Tournament. She was also named to the Big Ten’s All-Tournament Team in 2024.

Three days after Hamant’s death last year, the Huskies won the Big Ten Tournament in a penalty-kick shootout against Michigan State. They went on to quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament, matching the deepest postseason run in program history.

“Our program continues to be amazed by the support shown for Mia Hamant and we’re so appreciative of the Big Ten Conference and Commissioner Petitti,” UW women’s soccer coach Nicole Van Dyke said in a release from the school. “For years and decades, people will continue to learn her story as she inspires communities all across the country.”

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