Chris Nance ‘96
Chris Nance attended Lake Superior State University from 1991-1996 where she was a varsity letter winner for the LSSU Women’s Basketball team for 4 years. She was recruited by the Lakers after a stellar high school basketball career at Newberry High School that made her the #2 junior player in the state of Michigan.
Nance was named the 1992 GLIAC Freshman of the Year, before sustaining a knee injury that forced her to take a redshirt year. Upon returning, she and her teammates had successful years in the conference and also made it to the 3rd round of the NCAA Tournament in 1994 before bowing out.
Nance led her team in both scoring and rebounding for the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons, with 1.532 career points (6th most in program history) and 258 rebounds for both the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons (tied for 6th most in a season in program history). Along with her GLIAC Freshman of the Year honors, Nance made Second Team All-GLIAC in 1993-94, and First Team All-GLIAC in 1994-95 and 1995-96. Nance ranks second in career free throw (436) and second in career rebounds (882).
“I have kept in contact with several of my LSSU teammates, especially the girls in my class of 1991, Tammy (Albon) Graham, Darcy (Fraylick) French and Jill (Wetthuhn) Beaudo,” said Nance. “More recently I have been gathering with the classes of 1991-1993. I can honestly say meeting with my teammates to reminisce and enjoy their company has surpassed all of my previous LSSU experiences. I am so very honored to be included in such good company of successful, capable and hilariously funny women who never exaggerate, talk loud or make fun of each other.”
After leaving LSSU in 1996 with her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Wayne State University. Nance said, “I have been working as a registered nurse in the massively chaotic world of the hospital setting for the last 24 years. I am most satisfied when I can bring a sense of calm assurance and safety to all patients in my sphere of influence.” Nance has received the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses which is a national program that recognizes registered nurses who demonstrate excellence in patient care and professional nursing practice, and who exemplify the values of compassion, courage, integrity, and go above and beyond expectations.
Nance was part of Newberry High School’s inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame Class in 2013, and elected to the UP Hall of Fame Class of 2022. She is currently living in the tip of the mitten and working for McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital.