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Kia Nurse (’14) Signs With The University of Connecticut
Helping her finish off the tail end of her training will be her father, Richard who has Coached Kia’s Hamilton Transway team since she was first introduced to the game. And since his introduction of the game to her, Richard has always instilled a ‘no plays off’ mentality within Kia, which is still more than evident when watching her play to this day.
“Compete, compete, compete. Every game. Every possession. Every practice,” said Richard about what he has methodically imparted to his daughter from a young age. “Leave it all on the court. Compete at everything you do.”
Rather than rebel from the teachings of her father, Kia has embraced it. And much to her favour, has seen his motivation, no matter how tough it would seem at times, for what it is. Discipline to help her to get to her goals.
“The only reason why I’m a Guard was because of him. He put me in the Guard spot even when I was little even though I was huge. I appreciate that.”“There are times when he’s going to be harder on me than anybody else. But I mean…its your father! Theres a difference between when he’s your coach and when he’s your dad. But he’s always going to push me to be the best I can be.”
The influence of friends and family is extremely important to Kia, who can rely on them for their experience for direction and humility.
The amount of athletic savvy that she has to draw from her own family only is quite remarkable. Her Father played for the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Her mother Kathy played basketball in the CIS at McMaster University. Her sister Tamika played for the Oregon Ducks and later ended her NCAA career with Bowling Green. Her aunt Racquel, played basketball at Syracuse and eventually married former NFL Quarterback, Donovan McNabb. And, her brother Darnell was drafted earlier this summer to the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers where he is finding some success in his rookie season.
“I think the main thing is my support system,” Kia said referring to what keeps her grounded and focused. “My family, they have been through all this stuff. My best friend is my brother and he is insanely loved.”
Going on about some of the things that have stuck with her from her brother with whom she is only a year younger than, Kia went on to say “Learning from him, he’s always said ‘Its easy to get to the top. Its harder to stay there.’ But, he’s so humble and I think that helps me.”
I asked Kia what she thought about what she thought she would say to a younger fan that asked for advice. Her response was one of not taking anything for granted.
“Take the moments that you get to do the little things. Take the extra opportunities you have to be on the court. There’s going to be a lot of sacrifices.”
“It could be hard, or it could be easy. Baskertball can feel like a job sometimes. But in the end those sacrifices are definitely worth it and anything’s possible until impossible is proven as my Religion teacher says.”
Although Kia is leaning towards a Major in Business next Fall, she has also considered pursuing Criminology studies.
