Carla Overbeck has made a lasting impact on women’s soccer both as a player and coach. After graduating from Richardson High School, Overbeck went on to play at the University of North Carolina, where she was a three-time All-American and a member of four unbeaten national championship teams from 1986-1989. She was a key player in the NCAA All-Tournament Team all four years and received numerous accolade,s including the 1988 NCAA Tournament Most Valuable Defensive Player. She made her professional debut with the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team in 1988 and represented her country for 13 years. Overbeck was instrumental in the USNWT winning the first-ever Women’s FIFA World Cup in 1991. She captained the 1995 U.S. World Cup squad that advanced to the semifinals and also served as captain of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team that won the gold medal. In 1998, Overbeck competed on the gold-medal-winning Goodwill Games squad. She again captained Team USA to the 1999 World Cup Championship and a silver medal in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, 

Australia. Overbeck still dedicates her life to the game as an assistant coach with the Duke Blue Devils. During her 33-year tenure at Duke, she led the team to 29 NCAA Tournaments, five NCAA College Cup appearances, and the 2017 ACC Championship. She is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. In August of 2022, U.S. Soccer unveiled the Carla Overbeck Leadership Award, which is presented each year to an individual who demonstrates a unique ability to lead and guide others and contribute to the success of their organization. She was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2025.