Around Campus

Nina Norman Leading the Way for Young Basketball Squad

As one of two returning starters for the young Longhorn team (with seven freshmen, the most in UT history), senior Nina Norman knows the responsibilities that have been placed on this year’s seniors after the graduation of six players last year. Though being a team captain and leader may seem like a big job, Norman is accustomed to leading the team as the starting point guard. She has delivered in clutch situations and led the team in assists for the past two years.

In addition to being the playmaker, Norman, a Houston native, is also responsible for helping build team unity and chemistry in and out of practices. While some might think that college students’ summers are for relaxation, Nina and fellow seniors Tamra Cobbins and Coco Reed led the young team through organized study halls, strength and conditioning workouts, and informal practices this summer. The seniors also mentored the freshmen on adjusting to college life.

“Once your teammates learn to trust you on and off the court, its easier to get things accomplished as a team. I still remember the mistakes I made and the tough situations I faced my first year, so I can relate on a whole different level aside from basketball with these seven freshmen,” said Norman.

Norman’s leadership skills are evident away from the court as well. She is involved with the Longhorn Leaders class (a collaborated effort among the University, the Greater Austin Crime Commission, the Austin Independent School District (AISD) and the Austin Police Department) that brings student athletes from the Forty Acres to adolescents in at-risk schools.

“ When we visit the students, we talk to them about the struggles of life and how it is to be an athlete,” Norman noted. “I hope that I can take my tough experiences growing up and teach these students that it doesn’t matter how hard life is, you’re going to get opportunities to do something better with yourself.”
Norman frequently contributes to the Longhorn Leaders Web site, writing a blog as one her assignments for the class as she also visits the students at Bedichek Middle School in southwest Austin.

“ The kids we visit tend to think that athletes are perfect people, but we have as many faults as the next person. By being able to relate with them and show them that we all make mistakes, the UT athletes and the students at Bedichek learn more from each other,” said Norman.

A corporate communications major, Norman was recently named the Longhorn PRIDE Student Athlete of the Month this past November for her class work and leadership. Last April, she received the UT Athletics’ Jill Sterkel Leadership Award, which recognizes a student-athlete who has brought recognition to UT with her leadership and competitive attitude. She also was an alternate to the 2005 NCAA (Student-Athlete) Leadership Conference.

“ It’s easy to fall into a trap of just focusing on basketball and forgetting about the academic portion of school,” said Norman. “A lot of people think being a student-athlete is easy, but we have to take our work on the road and find time to study in between practices, rehab, travel and games.”

Norman’s hard work ethic shows in her determination to return to the court after re-aggravating a knee injury in UT’s first exhibition game. Norman made her way back into the starting lineup and increased her playing time. Through games of early December, Norman was averaging seven points per game and was third on the team in minutes played (23 mpg).

“ I don’t know if it will ever get back to 100 percent, but that’s sometimes how things turn out. I just have to play on it as hard as I can and put it behind me,” said Norman.

Through it all, Norman continues to be the team leader, encouraging and observing.

“ I understand that with so many upperclassmen hurt, the freshmen were quickly forced to step up, which is good. Now we have to come together, forget playing individually, and focus on being a team,” said Norman.

As the Longhorns prepare to get ready to battle in the always-formidable Big 12 Conference beginning in early January, Texas will be looking for its third Big 12 regular season championship and to improve on last year’s 13-3 conference record and second-place finish. Count on Norman’s leadership and court sense to be an important key to the Longhorns’ future success.