Megan Nelson – Result of the LAIR Fund
If you have caught a game at Williams Field lately, you may have noticed a very proud grandmother in the stands cheering especially hard for a certain speedy middle infielder. That proud grandmother is Alice Nelson. That speedy middle infielder is junior Megan Nelson.
Megan has enjoyed many successes in a Panther uniform, including being chosen for the 2007 and 2008 Commissioner's Honor Rolls and 2008 and 2009 OVC All-Tournament Teams. In 2008, she led the OVC in stolen bases (ranking 14th nationally), was ninth in batting average, and 10th in hits.
Megan has excelled in the classroom with a 3.74 GPA. Off the field, she has offered her help in other ways. In a highly-selective process, she was chosen as a peer leader where she co-taught a section of the 2008 freshmen foundations course. She is also a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, who has brushed up on her construction skills by helping build a house in the community. In the summer, Megan teams up with her dad, Lake Land College assistant softball coach Nic, to coach youth softball.
Longtime Panther fans may recognize the name Alice Nelson in another respect. Alice is a former Panther student-athlete, having played basketball at EIU in the 1940's. Megan describes her grandmother as a major reason she chose to attend EIU. While trying to hold back joyful tears, Megan describes her grandmother as someone that she has always loved spending time with. “Our family has always been close,” Megan explains, “I look up to her and its really important to me that I make her proud.”
So the next Panther softball game you attend there are a couple things you must do. First, help Alice Nelson cheer on the Panthers to another victory. Second, keep an eye on No. 5. Not only will she make a great play in the infield, but she will also burn the competition on the base paths.
More with Megan Nelson
Q. What do you want to do with your degree?
A. I want to be a high school biology teacher. I have loved science since I was a sophomore in high school. I am considering grad school in biology.
Q. Describe some achievements you are most proud of.
A. Being a Division I softball player at a school I love. My proudest day was signing day.
Q. What has been your most rewarding experience as a student-athlete?
A. Being in a small community and seeing girls I worked with over the summer.
Q. What effect has being a student-athlete had on your personal life?
A. I'm busy. My priorities are softball and school. It's very rewarding and I've had a lot of success. I also get to spend time with my best friends.
Q. How would you describe your team's chemistry?
A. We are a young team; half of us live in the dorms. Everyone gets along, which is easy because everyone is a good person.
Q. Describe your pre-game routine.
A. I think about my goals for the day and try to visualize success. I have some inspiring pictures. I'm also very superstitious; I never step on the foul line, and avoid the number six like never taking six steps. I don't know why it's six.
