PITT-BRADFORD'S NYE DRAWN TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OTHERS' LIVES

The game of softball has been kind to the Nye sisters who has each continued their careers at the collegiate level. Older sister Heather was a pitcher for the Mercyhurst University Lakers, while younger sister Melissa chose the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Heather studied education at Mercyhurst and has headed south to begin her career as a teacher, and Melissa is also wrapping up her studies in education and her final season as a collegiate softball player. The sisters have each had great success both on and off the softball field, but this piece will focus on younger sister Melissa and her outstanding career in softball paired with her courage and mission to put others first.

Melissa Nye grew up in Hamburg, New York, a town just outside of Buffalo. “Growing up in Hamburg provided me with great family, friends, and opportunities in sports. It allowed me to gain some exposure in the game of softball and build lifelong friendships with both my school and travel softball teammates.” Beginning her softball career around the age of ten, Nye has never really looked back and played in many leagues and with several AAU softball organizations in order to gain exposure and help improve her skills.

“Traveling along the East Coast was something that made me a better player and our team better overall. We played some great talent, had some outstanding coaches, and the games we played in taught us how to really compete and become better leaders.” After many years of softball and continuing to try to improve as a player, Nye began receiving interest from local colleges to play first base. Nearby Pitt-Bradford was one program that heavily pursued her, and after a visit and looking more heavily into the opportunities both athletically and also as a teacher, she decided Pitt-Bradford was the right fit for her,

A career as an educator was something Nye was always drawn to. When asking her what it means to her to be a teacher she said “Teaching gives me a great opportunity to lead groups of children in a positive direction. I have always loved to be around people, be social, and share stories. Teaching gives me a great chance to do all of those things. I would like to teach first or second grade, and I would also like to head south to be closer to my sister to begin my career.”

While three season of college softball has surpassed, she is looking forward to her last few months on the field. “I hope we can make the AMCC playoffs this year and win more of our close games. We have added some talented freshmen and bring back some talented returning players as well. I am excited for this upcoming season. I think the extra time we have all put into getting better is going to pay off for us this year.”

A personal goal Nye has is to raise her batting average from last season. Though she began her 2019 slow in out of conference play, she hit .296 against AMCC competition last year, compiling  eight hits in eleven games. While Nye has had a great college career at the plate, she admits her college career is something that nearly never happened. “I had some trouble with my ankle in high school and after my freshman season of college. It took three surgeries to get the issues corrected and so I could play pain free. One doctor told me I would not be able to play sports again, but I wanted to be sure to step on the diamond again. After a lot of rehab and hard work, I was able to get back on the field and play without much pain the last two seasons.”

Through some injury difficulties and many other times in her life, Nye turned to her parents Sue and Kevin along with her sister Heather for support and guidance. “My parents and sister have been there through my entire journey. They never missed my games. Sometimes one parent would go to Heather’s game and the other parent would go to mine. They always made sure to show me how much they loved me, and I am so grateful for their support.”

While Nye has faced some misfortune of her own in her life, she has still been there for others, including going on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic to help those in need. “Heading there was eye opening.” Nye said. All the relationships I built and how many people appreciated me helping them was something I will never forget. I really enjoyed the trip and making a difference in their lives made an even bigger difference in mine.”

Overall, Melissa Nye says playing a college sport is something that she is honored and privileged to be doing. She lists her national title at a tournament when she was 16 in Virgina as her favorite memory to date when looking back on her career in softball. While she has several games yet to play in her college softball career, Nye has already accomplished a lot both on and off the diamond. Her college softball career may be nearing an end, but her career making a difference in the lives of youth is a chapter in her life that is just getting started.

*** This story is part of a year-long series titled Faces of the AMCC: Steis' Stories. Featured writer Nate Steis will spend the year interviewing and reporting on student-athletes and coaches throughout the AMCC to show what makes the "Faces of the AMCC" diverse and unique.