“We thought you were just going to be another little blonde girl that didn’t know anything about sports.”
Those were the words senior Lindsey Nance was left with following an internship. These words aren’t uncommon in her field. Freshman year, Nance was introduced to sports reporting and has since made a name for herself in the Nashville community.
Nance is talented and respected among those who know her, but because of her blonde hair and small stature, she constantly has to prove that she’s knowledgeable of the sports industry.
“It’s intimidating,” Nance said. “They look at me and they think I don’t know my stuff. I just have to work extra hard to prove them wrong.”
Along with her strong work ethic, Nance is able to combat others’ scrutiny by remaining confident and informed.
“Most of my confidence comes from me knowing my facts in and out to the point where I’m ready to roll with the punches,” said Nance. “Something is always going to go wrong in a broadcast, but if you’re secure in yourself and you have faith in what you’re saying, then the confidence comes naturally.”
Nance believes the biggest problem for women today is not having enough confidence to build other females up instead of tearing them down. In a world where bullying is still very present among today’s youth, she believes women should band together and empower one another instead of focusing on bringing each other down.
“Be confident in who you are and don’t try to be anyone else, because God created you for a specific purpose and you’re going to find that purpose,” Nance said.
Even when faced with challenges, Nance remains positive, citing her parents as positive role models who instilled this quality in her.
“When I’m driving to school each morning and I’m stressed out, I just say a prayer,” Nance said. “I list off everything I’m thankful for and I ask God to guide my footsteps that day and help me fulfill His will for me.”
The determined senior and Lipscomb cheerleading squad captain has already secured a job post-gradation at 247 Sports in Brentwood and dreams of one day hosting a show on ESPN. With her success, she hopes to inspire other females to get involved in the sports industry.
“You have to go get it,” she said. “No one is going to lay it our for you. No teacher is going to show you a direct path. You have to just go and make it happen. These opportunities aren’t going to fall in my lap. I have to go get them.”
This story is the fourth feature in Jade Spilka’s “Women of Lipscomb” series, in light of Women’s Empowerment Week