Texas Longhorns Pay Mia Scott the Ultimate Honor — Retire Her Iconic #10 Jersey
On a night filled with emotion, pride, and gratitude, Mia Scott officially joined Texas Longhorns royalty.
Before a packed crowd at McCombs Field, the University of Texas honored its former softball star with one of the highest distinctions an athlete can receive — retiring her No. 10 jersey. As her name and number were unveiled on the outfield wall, the stadium roared with cheers that seemed to stretch all the way back to her earliest days in burnt orange.
Scott, now a professional player with the Tennessee Volts of the Women’s Professional Fastpitch (WPF) league, returned to Austin for the ceremony. Dressed in a Texas letter jacket and wearing her trademark smile, she fought back tears as she addressed the fans who had watched her grow from a promising freshman to one of the greatest players in program history.
“This place made me who I am,” Scott said, her voice cracking slightly. “Every inning, every at-bat, every practice here taught me something about hard work and about heart. This number isn’t just mine — it’s ours.”
A Legacy Built on Greatness
Few athletes have left a mark on Texas Athletics quite like Mia Scott.
During her collegiate career, she was the definition of consistency and leadership, known for her slick defense at third base, relentless hustle, and clutch performances when the lights shone brightest. She helped lead the Longhorns to multiple Women’s College World Series appearances, becoming one of the most feared hitters in the Big 12 and earning multiple All-American honors.
Scott’s combination of athleticism, intensity, and poise made her a fan favorite — and a nightmare for opposing pitchers. She wasn’t just talented; she was the heartbeat of Texas softball, setting the tone with her energy and her relentless drive to win.
“She elevated everyone around her,” said head coach Mike White. “When you watched Mia play, you saw what it means to wear ‘Texas’ across your chest. She gave everything she had every single day.”
By the end of her college career, Scott ranked among the school’s all-time leaders in hits, doubles, and runs scored — but numbers only tell part of the story. What separated her was her leadership. She was the teammate who stayed after practice for extra reps, the one who celebrated others’ success louder than her own, and the one who always believed the Longhorns were capable of more.
The Moment That Defined Her
Fans at McCombs Field will never forget that play.
It was during the 2023 NCAA Super Regionals — bottom of the seventh, game tied, season on the line. A sharp grounder to third looked destined for the outfield. Scott dove to her left, snagged it cleanly, and fired a laser across the diamond for the out. Texas would go on to win the game — and punch their ticket to the Women’s College World Series.
That play, more than any statistic, captured what Mia Scott represented: fearless, clutch, and utterly determined.
“She made the impossible look routine,” former teammate Janae Jefferson recalled during the ceremony. “When the game was on the line, we all looked to No. 10. And she always delivered.”
The Ultimate Honor
The decision to retire Scott’s No. 10 came unanimously from Texas Athletics — a rare and prestigious honor reserved for players who’ve not only achieved excellence on the field but embodied the spirit of the university.
Her number now joins a short list of Longhorn legends who have etched their names permanently into Texas sports history.
As the crimson-orange curtain dropped to reveal her name on the stadium wall, the crowd erupted into a standing ovation. Tears streamed down Scott’s face as she hugged her parents, her former coaches, and her teammates — many of whom returned for the ceremony.
Athletic Director Chris Del Conte called the moment “a celebration of legacy, leadership, and love.”
“Mia didn’t just play for Texas,” Del Conte said. “She lived Texas. Her passion, humility, and impact on and off the field will inspire generations of student-athletes to come.”
Giving Back, Moving Forward
Scott’s influence didn’t end when she left Austin. Earlier this year, she made national headlines by donating $6 million from her Nike sponsorship to the Texas softball program — one of the largest gifts ever made by a former student-athlete.
That donation funded facility upgrades, new scholarship opportunities, and a mentorship initiative designed to support female athletes at Texas. Her generosity reaffirmed her deep connection to the university and her desire to give back to the place that launched her career.
“Mia’s gift and her presence continue to elevate our program,” Coach White said. “She’s proof that success and gratitude can go hand in hand.”
Now, as she embarks on her professional journey with the Tennessee Volts, Scott remains one of the most recognizable and respected young faces in women’s sports. She’s already become a vocal advocate for expanding opportunities for female athletes and building visibility for professional softball nationwide.
But even as her career takes her to new stages, Austin — and the No. 10 — will always be home.
A Legacy Etched in Burnt Orange
As the ceremony wound down, Scott took one last look at her retired number, gleaming under the stadium lights. Fans chanted her name. Children wearing her jersey waved homemade signs that read “Thank You, Mia!”
In that moment, it was clear — this wasn’t just a farewell. It was a celebration of a legacy still in motion.
“I may be wearing a different uniform now,” Scott said with a smile, “but my heart will always beat burnt orange.”
The crowd roared once more, echoing the truth everyone in attendance felt: Mia Scott’s story isn’t just part of Texas softball history — it is Texas softball history.
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