Her Story
About Nicole
I've been involved in sports pretty much all my life - I played sports as a youth, then gravitated into coaching, and then into teaching. I've been out of high school for 27 years now, and sports have been a major part of my journey for at least the last 30 years. Today, I work as a sports management professional, PE teacher during the day, and athletic director for Tracy Rampage Youth Football and Cheer on the weekends. I'm also a single mother of two children who are both in sports and thriving. I've learned valuable lessons through athletics that have shaped my career, work ethic, and leadership style. My passion is helping youth develop and seeing athletes succeed - what really inspires me is seeing that face, that smile when they finally cross the stage or make that shot or tackle or double vault turn. I dedicate my career to creating positive opportunities for youth to continue to grow through sports. One of my greatest accomplishments is succeeding in the role as an athletic director in a traditionally male-dominated field and earning that respect, proving that I know what I'm talking about when it comes to sports.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nicole
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to leadership as a service - that's how I feel and what I'm supposed to be doing. For me, it's about being front and center, being that leader, being able to give people direction or explain something to someone, and be that point person for people to come back and reference. I've always been that person, so it means putting others in positions to succeed, creating the opportunities, and leading by example, communicating very well, and impacting others on how you serve. My mother always taught me to treat others how you want to be treated and always serve them first - always give them that upper respect first. Then you're able to really get anything at that point.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say always follow Plan A, no matter what. That's what I think about still to this day, because I'm back on my Plan A now. I've done so many other sideways things to get to my dream, but if I would have done exactly what was planned out for me from the beginning, I would have gotten there a lot faster. Everybody has their journey and what they take with them to get to that place. I wouldn't trade it for anything, but if I could go back, I would go straight and not through the hamster wheel, for sure.
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