Optimistic and dedicated, there’s no limit to how far PVAMU’s D’Sanye Nugent can go
After not appearing in a match for CSUSB back in 2017, D’Sanye Nugent’s college journey shifted from her native California to Texas as she joined Prairie View A&M University. “The culture and diversity within Prairie View creates one of the most welcoming atmospheres I have experienced,” Nugent told BGN. “They also provide distinctive networking opportunities and unique learning experiences in producing productive people.”
“As far as the soccer program and the team I am proud to be on, coached by Sonia Curvelo, this is the first team that I have worked under a female coach, which has been an awesome experience.”
Arriving at Prairie View A&M also reunited D’Sanye with her sister, Andrea, who is a defender for the Panthers. “In regards to being on the same team as my sister, I could not have asked for a better teammate,” D’Sanye said. “There are very few moments where we have sisterly clashes, but we never let that affect our game and the way we play. If anyone has the chance to play with their siblings, do it.”
Despite people thinking Andrea is the big sister based on her demeanor and personality (according to D’Sanye), D’Sanye is actually two years older. While they are so close in age and both high-level athletes, the two sisters weren’t as competitive as you may expect. “Growing up, my sister and I were not necessarily competitive with each other in a sense of going head to head against each other 24/7,” she said. “We always celebrated each other’s victories, even the small ones, and praised one another on and off the field. But, there is a sense of competitiveness within ourselves towards one another when it comes to obtaining certain rewards or accomplishments.”
“For example, if my sister received Player of the Week for defense then I would celebrate her accomplishment with her. But, I would try to obtain that accomplishment for myself the next week so that the motivation is there to keep that sense of competition going.”
A. Nugent Earns Fourth SWAC Soccer Defensive Player of the Week Honors https://t.co/B2kBXGDpEW
— PVAMU Panthers (@PVAMUPanthers) October 7, 2021
The Nugent sisters have helped propel the Panthers to a 6-2-2 start to the season as Andrea has a team-high three goals and D’Sanye has one goal and is tied for the team lead with two assists. How can the team finish this season strong, beginning with a Senior Day matchup today vs. Arkansas – Pine Bluff? Nugent answered, “For this team to excel during season, it is key that we continue to give our all on and off the field. We have to stay motivated, disciplined and committed to the goals we have set not only as a team, but as individuals.”
Discussing what’s allowed her to have this type of individual impact on the pitch, D’Sanye said, “The mentors/coaches I have had growing up have helped me tremendously become the player I am today and allow me to have such success. Most specifically, my father, who has basically been my club coach since I started playing.”
“He helped me realize the basics of soccer and the potential I was too scared to bring to the surface. My high school coach, Joe Kulm, helped me put that potential to use on and off the field. He showed me that I was capable of doing a lot more than what I limited myself to.”
She added, “Even during my college career, it’s like he is still right there on the sideline critiquing, supporting, and mentoring every single game I play.”
D’Sanye’s bio on the PVAMU website states that if she weren’t a soccer player, she would be a dancer. “I have never took any classes or training for dance,” she said. “I learned solely from the choreographies I looked up on YouTube that were popular at the time on my own, such as Royal Family, Matt Steffanina, etc. It was a great time, even though I probably made the choreographies look bad. I may or may not suck at dancing, but it does not stop me from trying.”
Almost any person has those specific songs that are going to get them out of their seat and D’Sanye is no different. “There are numerous songs that get me up and dancing, but the two that are guaranteed to get me up are “From Now On” from The Greatest Showman and “Fake ID” by Big and Rich from the movie Footloose,” she shared.
That bio also includes her love for Disney movies. She said, “I am a big fan of Disney movies, but when it comes to Marvel, it’s a different story. I go absolutely crazy when anything comes out that deals with the Marvel Universe.”
“Therefore, my absolute favorite Disney movie would have to be “The Avengers: Infinity War” (Disney owns marvel so it’s technically a Disney movie). Iron Man is my absolute favorite, and if you ask anyone that knows me, they will tell you the same.”
Is there a character in a Disney movie that she feels she relates to the most? “As much as I would love to relate to Iron Man, I realized while watching Moana that I am very much like her,” Nugent answered. “She is very optimistic, driven by the ideas of curiosity and adventure. She can be stubborn in others’ eyes, but in reality, she’s just dedicated.”
“Once she sets her mind to something, there is no stopping her. I’ve been told these qualities are seen within myself as well and I completely agree.”
