Professional soccer player, coach and Master of Sport Management student Mia White has dedicated her life to her passion for sport. In 2023, White added World Cup gold medalist to her list of accomplishments as a player on the U.S. Deaf Women’s National Team.
Originally from Littleton, Colo., White has had a passion for sport for as long as she can remember.
“I’ve been in the world of soccer since the age of 2 or 3” White said. “The sport captured my heart early on, and the joy it brings me is what keeps me devoted to it.”
After years of playing in increasingly competitive spaces, she honed her skillset and moved to coaching, unlocking a new level of fulfillment. White said her personal experience as a deaf athlete gave her the unique positioning to empower her community.
“A heartfelt aspiration of mine is to give back to Deaf youth athletes, offering resources that I didn’t have access to during my own formative years,” she said.
Creating space
In recognizing the gaps that exist in current athletic systems, White has worked to create spaces for her teams to not only build their skills but their confidence in pursuing athletic careers.
“I want to ensure that Deaf youth athletes nationwide know they’re not alone and have access to the same developmental resources as their hearing counterparts,” she said.
Enrolling in the Sport Management program was a key step in working towards those goals.
“The in-depth exploration of sports is not just an academic pursuit for me; it’s a genuine source of pleasure, fostering engaging discussions and analytical thinking,” White said. “The program immerses you in the dynamic sports industry, turning your enthusiasm into a rewarding academic pursuit.”
At a crossroads
Although her goals were clear, White’s path to CSU started after some contemplation.
“I have always had a passion for both sports and business, but I found myself at a crossroads after starting my MBA at my alma mater,” White said.
Unsure of her next steps, she turned to a friend who introduced her to CSU’s MSM degree.
“Intrigued, I delved into it and was instantly captivated,” White said. “The decision felt right, aligning more closely with my interests and making my academic journey more engaging and fulfilling.”
The chance of a lifetime
In 2022, her degree path took yet another turn as she was met with the opportunity of a lifetime: to play on the U.S. Deaf Women’s National Team in the World Cup. Although this was an immense undertaking in the middle of her degree, faculty were able to accommodate her schedule so that she could fully embrace this opportunity without interrupting her degree progress.
The competition — which took place in Malaysia in September of 2023 — provided a one-of-a-kind opportunity to expand her connection with the Deaf community.
“Engaging with Deaf teams from across the globe added a fascinating dimension to the competition,” White said.
She describes the experience as one of the most difficult, yet surreal, of her life.
“We poured our hearts into every aspect—playing, sleeping, and sweating,” she said of the years of training and rigorous preparation. “Every sacrifice felt justified.”
Her master’s program leadership also played a vital role in making it possible for Mia to pursue this experience completely.
“When the opportunity arose for Mia to follow her dream and represent her country as a member of the U.S. Deaf Women’s National Team, the only question was how the program could support her,” said Director of Sport Management Andrew Goldsmith.
According to Goldsmith, Mia worked diligently to set a schedule that thoughtfully balanced academics and sport. “It was beyond impressive… and that does not even take into account winning a gold medal at the Deaf Olympics!,” he said.
New goals
Moving forward, White plans to continue using her experience, expertise and education to uplift the Deaf sport community.
“My ambitious goal is to bridge the gap [in Deaf sports] on a national scale by providing resources such as sports psychology consulting, fitness mentoring and nutrition guidance,” she said, adding that the Master of Sport Management program is actively giving her the tools to make that dream a reality.
“This endeavor has expanded my perspectives, prompting me to view the world of sports with a critical eye. Aspiring to manage a sports team in the future, I am eager to leverage this knowledge and experience to foster my professional growth.”
Professor Goldsmith adds that he envisions nothing short of a spectacular future for White.
“I have no doubt that Mia will accomplish whatever goals she sets for herself. She has added such value to our program, and I am proud that she also represents the Colorado Rockies Sport Management Institute,” said Goldsmith.
The Master of Sport Management Program in CSU’s College of Liberal Arts welcomes students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds to explore the industries of sport focusing on values of selfless leadership, inclusive excellence, character and integrity, and globalization.
In as little as 12 months, students develop the skills needed for success in sports leadership. Learn more about CSU’s MSM program today.
Partnered with The Colorado Rockies, CSU’s Sport Management Institute — uniquely situated in the College of Liberal Arts — provides students with a humanities-based approach to developing well-rounded leaders in the management of sports. It’s strategic partnership with The Colorado Rockies builds on the strengths of both organizations to offer CSU students an even more powerful academic experience. Learn more at the SMI website.
