[2][3] Hamilton grew up in the Atlanta, Georgia area and attended Wheeler High School where she lettered in soccer, basketball, tennis and track.

In 1990 while concurrently playing for the United States women's national soccer team, Hamilton ended her collegiate career as a member of the Tar Heels squad that won the fifth of nine consecutive NCAA titles.

While playing for UNC, Linda Hamilton worked in the call center of soccer retailer Eurosport/SOCCER.COM with teammate Mia Hamm.

[5][6] Hamilton began her coaching career by getting her "A" license while still at North Carolina and starting the Old Dominion's women's program in 1994.

She served as director of player development for the Richmond Strikers Soccer Club while working in full-time at another job.