INDIANAPOLIS – The Great Lakes Valley Conference is proud to join supporters across the country in the celebration of the 26th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day. On Tuesday, thousands of sports educators, coaches, athletic directors, recreation directors, association members, sponsors and students come together in support of this day, which is promoted nationally by the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport.
Nikki Chambers, the GLVC’s intern for the 2011-12 academic year, is a former student-athlete at William Jewell. Throughout her career on the tennis court, Chambers competed at the No. 1 singles and doubles level and holds the record for most singles wins in school history. She was also a 4-time NAIA All-American selection, 2010 Omar Nadler Scholarship award winner, recipient of the 2011 ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship award, 2010 and 2011 Most Valuable Player, and a 4-time Cardinal Scholar Athlete.
Off the court, she graduated Summa cum Laude with a degree in Organizational Communication and a minor in Entrepreneurial Leadership, while helping William Jewell in the sports information and compliance departments throughout Jewell’s transition to NCAA Division II. She was also actively involved with the school’s freshman orientation program and completed internships at Liberty Hospital and Liberty Economic Development Corporation.
Chambers currently assists with sports information and compliance duties at the conference office, and has continued to value her experience as a former student-athlete. To celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, the GLVC asked Chambers to reflect on her time at William Jewell and how her internship at the conference office has continued to prepare her for her professional career.
Good afternoon and Happy National Girls and Women in Sports Day!
For many girls and women across the country, athletics has become an important and integral part of everyday life. As a former student-athlete, and current intern with the Great Lakes Valley Conference, I can definitely testify to the fact that participating in athletics has provided unparalleled value and enhanced my life both personally and professionally.
Being a student-athlete at William Jewell College was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Although participating in athletics presents many challenges, it also provides the opportunity for personal growth and achievement. As a student-athlete, I quickly developed time-management skills that will last a lifetime and also developed habits for a healthy lifestyle that remain with me today.
Not only did my experience as a student-athlete help foster healthy personal habits, but it allowed me to create some lifelong friendships with both my teammates and coaches. The daily rituals of being a member of a team lend to an atmosphere where friendships are created, challenged, and maintained. In both victory and defeat, the friendships that are established amongst teammates last a lifetime and will bring to mind many positive memories for years to come.
Finally, athletics has greatly impacted my chosen career path. The positive experience I had as a student-athlete has pushed me to pursue a career in athletics because I want to ensure that other women are able to have a similar experience. I want to make a difference. The personal values, work ethic, and friendships garnered through athletics are irreplaceable and open the doors for many other opportunities.
Please join the GLVC and the NAGWS in recognizing National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Thanks to the support of many administrators, coaches, and personnel around the globe, women are now given more opportunities to participate and compete than ever before. For more information on the organization or hosting an event, please click here!
Sincerely,
Nikki Chambers
2011-12 GLVC Intern
2011 William Jewell Graduate