For many Nicholls State University athletes, game day pressure is the easy part.
But what happens when the stadium empties, the lights shut off and real life comes rushing back in is often far more challenging.
That’s where Dr. Kimberly Reynolds steps in.
Reynolds, a professor in the Nicholls State Psychology Department and a mental-health counselor for student-athletes, has quietly become one of the most important behind-the-scenes for the Nicholls athletic community. She was recently named the new Nicholls Dean for College of Education and Behavioral Sciences.
While fans see touchdowns, 3-pointers, and big wins, she sees something different – young adults living away from home for the first time, learning who they are while carrying the weight of a program on their shoulders.
“Being an athlete is about so much more than a singular outcome scored as a win or a loss,” Reynolds said.
She describes athletes as “ever evolving, emotional beings.” They are people who can’t escape heartbreak simply by sinking a game-winning shot. They know pressures they face, expectations from coaches, families, teammates and themselves don’t disappear once practice ends.
That’s why her office has become a refuge. For many players, it’s the one space where they can be vulnerable without judgment.
Reynolds believes that allowing athletes to open up about life beyond their sport doesn’t just help them cope, it helps them grow.
“Helping athletes navigate life beyond their sport truly allows me to watch their personal growth on and off the field,” she said.
She reminds every athlete who walks through her door that they are more than the uniform they Wear.
“Yes, athletes are blessed to play a sport they love at a high level,” she tells them, “but they are so much more than the sport.”
In a world where performance is constantly measured, Dr. Reynolds gives Nicholls athletes something invaluable – permission to be human.