April 18, 2013
STANFORD, Calif. - Each week GoStanford.com will feature a Q&A with a different member of the 2013 Stanford softball team. This week get to know sophomore Nyree White.
Nicknames: ny, nyny, nyrizzle
How old were you when you first started playing softball? I started playing softball when I was five, but my dad wouldn't let me learn to pitch, no matter how much I asked, until I was eight so that I was stronger and wouldn't get hurt.
If you could have one superpower what would it be? TELEPORTATION! It has less swag than flying, but is quicker and has more options than invisibility. I feel like it's a very underappreciated superpower. Think about it.
Besides softball, do you have any unique talents? I can wiggle my ears, fall asleep on command, and consume unlimited frozen yogurt.
If you could meet any celebrity who would it be? No question, BEYONCE. She is not only one of the most naturally talented women on the planet, her work ethic is unparalleled, she is humble, passionate, giving, graceful... I could go on for days. But my favorite thing about Beyonce is that she empowers women and girls, showing them how important independence and confidence are, which made an undeniable impression on me while I was growing up. And how refreshing is it to see a female celebrity with a healthy relationship and a happy family? I mean, I wouldn't mind meeting Channing Tatum either though.
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go? The Middle East. I am very passionate about issues of gender equality and I would love to be a part of the political progress and development projects taking place in the Arab world. I think in the next few decades a lot of history will be made in the ME, particularly when it comes to women and democracy.
If you won the lottery what is the first thing you would buy? A plane so I could travel. But I borrowed a friends jet skis once and they are probably the greatest invention of all time, so they are a close second.
What is your proudest sports moment? Winning gold at the 2011 World Championships with the Jr. National Team in Cape Town, South Africa. My dad was also a coach on the team, so being able to share that experience with him and represent our country on an international stage was awesome.
If you could attend one professional sporting event what would it be? Probably the World Series because I was obsessed with baseball when I was younger. The WS is always full of classic sports moments and the atmosphere is crazy, no matter who is playing.
Favorite candy? Milky Way
What is your favorite thing about being a Stanford student-athlete? The pride we get to play with. We represent a place that is unlike any other and it's the best of both worlds for an athlete. We get to represent the incredible people who make this community, all of the things they have achieved and all of the things this school stands for. It was a lifelong dream to play softball for Stanford so it's impossible to wear Card and not be proud.
What is your dream job? Hahaha I haven't quite figured that one out. I think I would love being a lawyer or working for a government agency, but I'm also interested in clinical psychology... So basically I'm keeping my options open.
Who is your role model? Definitely my parents. They have walked the walk with how they've lived their life. No one works harder and they always put family first. They have both overcome huge challenges to give my sisters and I the life we have.
What is one material thing you could not live without? A warm bed. I am a sleepaholic and one of the best things in my life is being able to just pass out in a comfy bed.
What song do you always get stuck in your head? Irreplaceable by Beyonce. It's so good that I don't mind it getting stuck in my head.
What TV show would you want to be on/a part of? SCANDAL. Omg so obsessed.
Favorite music/artist? Beyonce of course. But I love classic 80's rock like Def Leppard, AC/DC and Poison. Current obsession is R&B, the Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Miguel.
Favorite quote? "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48
Who on the team does the best Coach Rittman impersonation? Cassandra Rouland or Sarah Hassman. Our sports performance coach, Doctor B (Brandon Marcello) is really good though.
Which of your teammates is the best dancer? This is an issue of serious contention. Actual dancing? Hanna Winter. But Tylyn Wells can bring it. And Cassandra Rouland has created her own genre by being spastically hilarious. I also have had some very memorable dance moments so ask anybody on the team and they will say I have swag.
This or That
Ice cream or frozen yogurt? I don't discriminate, addicted to both
Coke or Pepsi? DIET COKE. I'm a recovering addict though
Sunrise or sunset? Sunset, I'm no morning person
Dogs or cats? Dogs
Beach or mountains? Beach
Walk or bike? Walk. My quads hurt from lifting
Books or movies? AH can't choose because I'm a nerd
Real mayo or Miracle Whip? Real mayo
Cheez-its or pretzels? Ew.
Hot dog or hamburger? Hamburger
NorCal or SoCal? NORCAL. duh
Ski or snowboard? Having my feet strapped down makes me claustrophobic soooo neither
Ryan Gosling or Channing Tatum? Channing Tatum, always and forever, I love you hubby
Grey's Anatomy or House? Gross. Castle or NCIS
Cardinal or White? Cardinal, but if you mean White as in me, then White. See what I did there?
Facebook or Twitter? FB, but I have a love/hate relationship with both
Karaoke or dancing? Dancing but I'd be down for either
Shorts or pants? Pants, YOGA pants.
Pearls or diamonds? Diamonds
Sneakers or flip flops? sneakers
Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie? Beyonce
Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate
Coffee or Tea? Coffee is the lifeblood of humanity
Phone call or Skype/Facetime? Phone call