Mesa native Julie Ertz steps into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame as a two-time World Cup champion and an advocate for equal rights in women’s sports. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
PHOENIX – Under the bright lights of the Chateau Luxe Event Venue Thursday, legends of Arizona’s sports history were immortalized as the 54th Arizona Sports Hall of Fame class.
The powerhouse lineup featured icons from the international pitch, diamond and beyond. Arguably one of the best classes in recent history, the enshrinement included three-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Melissa Belote Ripley, former Arizona Wildcats stars Mike Bibby and Ricky Hunley, Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill, two-time World Cup champion Julie Ertz, former Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr., World Series champion Paul Konerko and, posthumously, Matt Shott, a former Arizona Coyotes employee and pioneer for youth hockey.
Among the standout inductees, few have had a more profound impact on the global stage than Ertz, one of the most decorated and respected players in U.S. women’s soccer history. A Mesa native, Ertz rose to national prominence for her leadership, grit and ability to dominate both defensively and in midfield.
“It’s an absolute honor,” Ertz said. “I’m so proud to be from Arizona. Any time I get to come back, we moved back so we live here, it’s just an absolute honor especially alongside the other inductees.”
Ertz played club soccer for Serrano Soccer Club while attending Dobson High School and won nine state titles with the program. She played soccer at Santa Clara University, while continuing to compete internationally as a member of the U.S. youth national team. She helped the team win the 2012 CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship.
“Julie’s super stubborn,” Santa Clara coach Jerry Smith said. “I’ve been fortunate to coach 15 different people that have played for the women’s national team and won a world cup or gold model and one of the common threads they all have is stubbornness. We told her the plan of her playing center back, and she just said no. That’s not what’s good for the team. We won’t score. We’ve never had a player just flat out say no before.”
Through her standout play at Santa Clara University and on the youth team, Ertz earned a call-up to the U.S. Women’s national team in January 2013. Her leadership and skill quickly elevated her to team captain. She won two World Cup titles with the national team in 2015 and 2019.
After having her first son with her husband Zack Ertz, a star tight end for the Washington Commanders, Ertz stepped away from the game for 18 months. She returned to the team for one last dance in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Her return in 2023 was nothing short of inspirational. Despite the physical and emotional demands of being a mom, Ertz showcased the same tenacity and leadership that had defined her career.
She retired in August later that year. Over the course of her career, Ertz earned 123 appearances and scored 20 goals for the U.S. women’s national team. She won two FIFA World Cup titles (2015, 2019) and brought home an Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo.
At the club level, she made 95 appearances with the Chicago Red Stars and three with Angel City FC, while also scoring a combined seven goals. In college, she tallied 31 goals in 79 appearances for Santa Clara University.
“I hope that people know that I always loved this sport,”Ertz said. “That was the sport I always wanted to play. That I left everything I had on the field. I loved to be aggressive and have flair and I loved it.”