Nike McClure was raised saying, “Yes, ma'am,” and, “No, sir.” When she has an opinion, she shares it. She stands by her beliefs, and stands up for others.
The redshirt-freshman on the Washington State women's basketball team credits many of her values to her parents and the way she was raised.
“I have a really strong belief system,” McClure said. “I stick to what I believe in. My parents taught me a lot about respect – that's the biggest one. They taught me to have a lot of passion for what you do and if you're going to do it, do it well.”
McClure grew up with two parents who were members of the United States Armed Forces. Her mother, Juqita, was a lieutenant colonel working in logistics for the United States Army, and her father, Greg, served as an aviator flying Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters for the Army. Combined, Nike's parents served over 40 years in the United States Army.
Nike's parents met while serving in South Korea and then returned to Washington, where Nike was born at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma, Wash.
“We moved around a whole bunch,” Nike recalled. “We moved schools almost every other year.”
Growing up, Nike moved to California, Hawaii, Virginia, back to Washington, to South Korea, and then back to Washington. While moving schools was difficult, the changes gave her an open perspective on the world around her.
“I'm a lot more accepting of things because I feel like I've seen a lot,” she said. “I can appreciate stuff. I definitely have different takes on the world than other people do.”
And while moving around was difficult, playing basketball allowed Nike to make friends anywhere she went.
“It definitely gave me a solid foundation of what I can do. With moving around a lot, you lose friends, but basketball gave me a second family. You meet a lot of people through basketball.”
With the Fourth of July this Saturday, Nike holds a special place in her heart for the service members of the United States.
“Although it might be a struggle to not see us every day, they're fighting for a greater cause,” she said thinking about growing up as a child in a military family. “It's not just about us. My biggest thing for my service members is to let them know that they're appreciated by everyone here. They're appreciated very much even if it doesn't feel like it sometimes.”
And while Nike won't be home for this Fourth of July, she recalls fondly the traditions that her family shares on this holiday.
“We make a big burning man, my dad and I, and shoot roman candles at it. And chili dogs. My mom can make some killer chili dogs.”
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Washington State University Athletics wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July weekend and thank members of the United States Armed Forces for their service to our country and freedom.
