In a sport mostly dominated by men, Slamstox student-athlete Nina Schiks may note a special milestone. She managed to make history by becoming the first female player ever to join the American football team at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU). And that’s not all…
Historic first female player
Last weekend, Nina made her official debut. This makes her the first female player ever at MVSU football. It is a breakthrough in a sport traditionally dominated by men. Her presence symbolizes guts, perseverance and inclusion. During her first game, Nina also scored a 4-for-4. That means she had four chances to kick extra points after touchdowns, and all four kicks successfully went between the posts. In American football, that is a perfect score, especially for a rookie and especially as the first female player. It shows her technical skill as well as mental strength under pressure. At Slamstox, we are proud that Nina was able to achieve this through our process. Slamstox highlight: writing double history in one match? That’s rare! Nina herself says:
” It was my debut and therefore first game in which I scored. I got to make history for the school as the first female kicker and am now the record holder for most points scored in one game and season by a female kicker in the SWAC (league). “
Nina Schiks
From soccer field to football field
After Nina played at amateur club Olympia’18 and professional club Borussia Mönchengladbach of Germany, her achievements on the field caught the attention of Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU), where she was recruited to the women’s soccer team in 2024.
There, in addition to her involvement with the women’s soccer team, Nina expanded her athletic horizons by joining MVSU’s women’s tennis team. Although she had no formal tennis experience, she showed her versatility and athletic ability by adapting to the new sports environment. This was soon followed by the American football team. Her presence on three different teams is a testament to her exceptional discipline and dedication to athleticism. With this versatile background, she has now made the special move to American football, where as a place kicker she is responsible for field goals and extra points, called PATs. Accuracy, strength and mental focus are crucial here.
What this means for sports and university?
Nina’s impact goes beyond numbers. She is breaking down gender barriers and opening doors for women in college football. For MVSU, she shows that talent matters, not gender. Her accomplishments inspire both the team and future students. Moreover, her perfect 4-for-4 score shows that women can fully compete at the top level. Nina Schiks is a living example of daring, talent and perseverance. She proves that groundbreaking performances are possible and that history can be made on any sports field.
Like Nina, do you want to play soccer and study, American football and study and/or play tennis and study in America? Or learn more about the possibilities of combining multiple sports during your college time? Schedule a free introductory meeting now and we will gladly tell you more about your possibilities.
Curious to see the footage of this unique moment? Watch the video of Nina becoming the first woman to score an extra point here.
