Growing up to be like Nancy Lieberman

Lauryn Williams’ Blog

I want to be like Nancy Lieberman when I grow up! 

This past Monday, I was fortunate enough to meet her among some other very big names in the world of sports at the honoring of the dream team luncheon for the Jefferson Award.

It is great when opportunities like this arise as not having the same sort of fame as other sports sometimes limits us from interacting with NFL, NBA and other high profile athletes such as the Williams sisters.

That said, when your not given this chance often you must bring every aspect your A game. Speaking has been the little demon in my closet for my whole career, and despite me pumping myself up because I wanted to do well, Monday was no different.

I was to give a 2-3 minute talk accepting my award and explaining  what inspires me to give.

Sounds easy enough right????

WRONG!!!

As if my nerves weren't bad enough, when two of the four athletes present got up and gave excellent speeches, I began to obsess because I didn't know what I could say that was going to be as appealing to the crowd. And I was the only female. I certainly couldn't be outdone by 3 guys!!  

It was between Nnamdi Asomugha and myself as to who was next and we both joked about how quick we would be because we were making up something right at that moment.

Little did I know this was a setup!

My name was called before his, so I get up and deliver something quick and straight to the point. Nnamdi, on the other hand, decides to give the best speech of all.

I had been outdone by all three guys.

What a shame! 

Thank God though Nancy swooped in and saved the day on behalf of all women, as it seems she has been doing her whole life.

In case you don't know, Nancy is the first woman to have played professional basketball, but she played with men because the WNBA was not yet in existence. Years later, when the WBNA did get going, she played in the league at the age of 50!!!

I was so inspired by her talk and the delivery of it, I am vowing to make my improvement in this area a focal point this year.

It was really encouraging when once things were finished two women came to me and said, "Your speech was great! If you had not told us how nervous you were, or that you were going to be quick, you would have nailed it right on the head."

I know I have some work to do, as my job will require me to speak.

I am up to the challenge of fine tuning my delivery until I can do as easy as say... Sanya Richards or Nancy Lieberman.



(universalsports.com)