Professional football manager Emma Hayes OBE returned to campus alongside her former university football team mates for graduation celebrations on Wednesday 23 July.
Emma, who is the head coach of the United States women's national soccer team, graduated from Liverpool Hope in 1999. During her time at the University, she was actively involved in women’s football before going on to carve a successful career in the sport.
To celebrate the occasion, Emma was accompanied to Hope Park by the women that she had played with during her studies over 25 years ago. With their friendship starting here at Hope all those years ago, the alumni remain in touch and cherish their close bond that has stood the test of time.
Talking about women’s football and on the Lionesses’ success in the Euros tournament, Emma said: “I'm a champion of women's football, so I am excited for the country. I always think about the little girls and boys up and down the country that are dreaming about England lifting a major championship. I keep telling people, by the time I lead the USA in the World Cup in 27, it will be a billion-dollar industry.”
Reflecting on her own time at Hope, Emma commented: “It seems that there is even more for student life and to cater for the wide variety of vocational opportunities for students.
“I never thought I'd have a career in sport and but what I do know is as a result of being able to speak Spanish and learning everything from negotiation skills to diplomacy has served me really well in my profession. I think that academic underpinning has been the foundation for a lot of my success. If I hadn't coached that uni team, picked up a bag of balls, got a kit for the for the team -I don't know if I'd be doing what I was what I'm doing today.
“But when I think about the years, the days, the weeks, the months I've put into a career, I'd like to think become an expert in in many ways. And of course, I feel proud to be honoured by a place that shaped that narrative. For me getting to university was a major achievement. I didn't come from a household where anybody went to uni. And so getting here felt like my gold medal anyway. So to relive it again, but at another juncture of my life fills me with a lot of pride.”
Offering words of wisdom to graduands, Emma said: “Make sure you surround yourself with the best of the best to ensure that whatever path you have it gives you purpose and it's meaningful.”
The Hope alumna joins a list of inspiring individuals to receive Honorary Doctorates during the University’s 2025 summer graduations. These are awarded to individuals who have earned a national or international reputation for their contributions in their field of expertise, and have extended or contributed to the institution’s mission and values.
Hundreds of students across various disciplines graduated at the beautiful Liverpool Cathedral on the 22, 23 and 24 July.
Other Honorary Doctorate recipients at this month’s graduation ceremonies include Fergal Keane OBE, a respected journalist and author who spent decades reporting in turbulent regions across the globe and Peter Taylor CBE, for his work in journalism and filmmaking, covering topics including terrorism, political violence and public health.
Liverpool-native Monsignor John Peter Devine OBE also received recognition. He previously served as Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council at Liverpool Hope University.