Support system lifts Nance to his dream
BLANCHARD — A few years ago, Jamie Nance sat in a Dairy Queen booth across from his new mentor and made his dream known.
He wanted to play Division I football.
But Nance was frustrated. His sophomore highlights at Blanchard High School had barely registered online, yet he was confident in his ability.
So was Travis Hartfield.
He sat across from Nance and listened. He watched the film. He offered advice and a bond was formed.
“What I saw in him was he was willing to do whatever it took, not just in sports but in life,” said Hartfield, a former Watonga star who briefly played at Oklahoma State. “You couldn’t help but be drawn in by the personality.”
It was only fitting that Nance handed Hartfield the microphone to open Wednesday afternoon’s signing ceremony. Nance signed his National Letter of Intent to play at Nebraska, bringing a special mix of speed and athleticism at wide receiver. He will enroll in January.
His dream in a fastfood booth became reality behind a huge support system.
“It means a lot,” Nance said. “It was a lot. I had my loved ones come out, the people that supported me from the beginning. I respect that.”
Nance is a 6-foot, 160-pound receiver who chose Nebraska over 19 other Division I programs, including TCU and Minnesota. He burst onto the scene as a junior, but really exploded on the recruiting scene with a huge Rivals.com camp performance against elite talent.
TCU offered and others followed.
At times, recruiting became overwhelming for Nance and his mom, Lexi Davis. She’s a single mom who spent the better part of four years focusing on making her son’s dream come true.
She drove him to camps or found help with her family. When Nance’s knees dealt with growing pains in middle school, leaving him on crutches, she pushed him forward.
And she was all for Nance meeting Hartfield that afternoon in Moore.
A mutual church friend recommended Hartfield as mentor for Nance. They spent the next few years meeting weekly. Hartfield went over Bible verses with Nance. He attended Nance’s games. Nance attended Hartfield’s kids’ events.
“He was the first one that clicked with me through this recruitment,” Nance said. “He saw something in me.”
Hartfield points to Nance’s humbleness and desire. He also points at an infectious smile.
Nance had that on display Wednesday.
Wearing a red Nebraska hat and a black "Frost Szn" T-shirt, he took photos with his teammates, coaches and family. He posed with classmates while dishing jokes and laughs.
He even stopped the lunch lady to thank her.
A village helped Nance reach his goal. He wanted to pay them back.
“I could have gone all day with the people that helped me through this,” Nance said.