Yesterday at the inaugural NWSL Awards Show, Sam Hiatt was named the Lauren Holiday Impact Award winner.
Thanks to Nationwide, she has also secured $50,000 to support Candlelighters Oregon, a local non-profit organization that supports families through every stage of childhood cancer across the state of Oregon and southwest Washington.
When Hiatt signed with Portland Thorns, she made it clear that her impact would extend beyond the soccer pitch, and into the community.
“As athletes, we have a unique platform, even if it doesn’t always feel that way when we're just showing up to play soccer, but it truly is more than that, especially when we have the chance to make an impact,” Hiatt had said when she was nominated. “The community that supports us and Portland shows up for the Thorns time and time again. It’s important that we give back and support the people around us—not just on game days, but every day.”
An inspiration to all, just like the award's namesake ❤️
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 19, 2025
Portland Thorn's Sam Hiatt is the 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award winner presented by @nationwide, who will donate $50,000 to Candlelighters. pic.twitter.com/hVNscz0FKA
Sam Hiatt's continued commitment to community service is not a surprise. That exact empathy, compassion, and character represents the best of the club, city, but also humanity. Her selflessness, love, and care for others was recognized with the league's highest honor and deservedly so.
In my recent interview with Sam Hiatt #BAONPDX "I love to bake cakes. There's really cool volunteer websites where you can sign up to make cakes for kids in foster care who might not have someone to bake them a birthday cake or a graduation cake - I've recently been doing that." #NWSL
— Phuoc Nguyen (Fook Win) ✍️ (@phuocerman.bsky.social) 2025-05-16T16:45:38.161Z
What is the Lauren Holiday Impact Award?
"The Lauren Holiday Impact Award celebrates the legacy of two-time Olympic gold medalist, 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, and National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Lauren Holiday, whose example of purpose-driven impact continues to inspire athletes around the world. The Award recognizes one player from each NWSL team for their outstanding service and character off the pitch, spotlighting those who — like Lauren Holiday — exemplify dedication and commitment to give back to their local communities."
2025 NWSL Best XI
Are you surprised? You shouldn't be.
Midfielders, Sam Coffey and Olivia Moultrie were named to the NWSL's Best XI after spectacular seasons.
THE Best of the best 💪 Your Best XI First and Second Teams presented by Amazon Prime.
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 2025-11-19T23:30:19.788Z
