Three-time Olympic gold medalist and former US Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) member Heather O’Reilly will deliver the commencement address at Centenary University during two ceremonies on Saturday, May 7, University President Bruce Murphy, Ed.D., has announced.

Centenary will present O’Reilly with a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to international sport and her leadership in championing equal pay for the USWNT. O’Reilly’s address will cap an Olympic-themed academic year at Centenary guest speakers athletes and coaches who have won Olympic and Paralympic gold and sport professionals.

In addition, the president’s wife, Jeanne Murphy, is a former member of several US Olympic and Paralympic Games committees.

A three-time Olympian, O’Reilly won gold with Team USA in 2004, 2008, and 2012. She was also a member of the USWNT that captured the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015. She ended her playing career with the North Carolina Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), winning the 2019 NWSL championship with her team. Today, O’Reilly is the mother of two young boys, an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina, and an analyst for Fox Sports.

O’Reilly points to the lessons learned about resilience and overcoming adversity during the tough times as critical to shaping the person she is today. “In my life, I’ve checked off a lot of boxes in terms of winning medals and championships,” said O’Reilly. “But all of that can still leave you feeling unfulfilled, even though you achieve these wonderful things. Instead, I’ve found myself sitting in the space of accomplishing certain goals, but never achieving mastery. For me, it’s more about the lessons you learn about resilience and overcoming adversity than about winning.”

A member of the New Jersey Olympic Development Program at age 14, the East Brunswick native played for coach Kevin Davies, who is now the head women’s soccer coach for Centenary University. She went on to attend the University of North Carolina, graduating with an education degree.

Davies said of his former player, “It was a privilege to coach Heather and so fantastic for me to see where she’s gone, not only on the soccer field, but in her career.”