Colorado Buffaloes Soccer Star Makes Sports Illustrated Swim Debut: Photos

Colorado Buffaloes soccer star Phoenix Dawn Miranda shines in the newest edition of Sports Illustrated Swim. Miranda is one of three female athletes from the Big 12 conference, joining TCU basketball star Hailey Van Lith and Central Florida track and field standout Rayniah Jones.

Colorado Buffaloes soccer star Phoenix Dawn Miranda makes Sports Illustrated Swim debut / Sports Illustrated Swim

Former Colorado Buffaloes soccer star Phoenix Dawn Miranda shines in the newest edition of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Magazine. The Hawaiian native is making her SI swim debut and hopes to continue to model after the stunning shoot in Fort Worth, Texas.

Miranda is one of three female athletes from the Big 12 conference represented in the 2025 magazine, joining former TCU basketball star Hailey Van Lith and former Central Florida track and field standout Rayniah Jones.

Colorado Buffaloes soccer star Phoenix Dawn Miranda makes Sports Illustrated Swim debut / Sports Illustrated Swim

Miranda studied Ethnic Studies at the University of Colorado and would like to continue playing soccer at the professional level.

The 5-foot-9 defender Miranda started 21 games as a senior in Boulder. She also participated in training with Seattle FC of the NWSL earlier in 2025.

Miranda has an impressive resume that includes three years of U.S. Youth National Team experience 2017-19) and earning Newcomer of the Year Award in her first collegiate season. As a senior, Miranda contributed to 11 shutouts bringing her Colorado career total to 29 shutouts.

Sports Illustrated Swim is in its 61st year. The iconic magazine is published annually and is one of the most highly-coveted cover photographs.

In 2025, SI Swim's cover models are Academy Award-nominated actor Salma Hayek Pinault, broadcast host/model Lauren Chan, former LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne and Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles.

Sports Illustrated Swim

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SI Swimsuit editor in chief MJ Day addressed why the 2025 models were picked in her Editor’s Letter. 

“These women are why we do what we do,” Day wrote.“These stories we share here and on our platforms are about so much more than what meets the eye. They are about the power of authenticity, the strength of vulnerability and the beauty of living a life that’s unapologetically yours.”

First published in 1964, SI Swim was instrumental in making the bikini a legitimate piece of apparel.

Now, SI Swim has evolved to break media barriers as a nearly all-female staff that takes pride in celebrating women and pushing the industry norm.

The latest edition is available for purchase here.

TCU basketball player Hailey Van Lith on Sports Illustrated Swim Magazine / Sports Illustrated Swim Magazine

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