Dr. Lana Nicoll (nee Common), a three-time CCAA All-Canadian in Women’s Volleyball, will be inducted into the CCAA Hall of Fame in the Athlete Category.
Nicoll starred for the Grant MacEwan Community College (now MacEwan University) Griffins for four seasons. She was named a CCAA All-Canadian in 1995, 1997 and 1998 and earned CCAA Academic All-Canadian honours in 1994, 1995, 1997 and 1998 as she worked toward a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and eventually a Bachelor of Physical Education.
Nicoll led the Griffins to consecutive ACAC Championships in 1996-97 and 1997-98. MacEwan reached the CCAA Women’s Volleyball National Championships in each of her four seasons at the institution. The Griffins captured a silver medal in 1997 and bronze in 1998. She was named to the First All-Tournament team each time.
Nicoll, who served as an assistant coach at MacEwan in 1995-96 and then the team’s Head Coach for the 1998-99 season, was the first athlete to ever be inducted onto the Griffins Wall of Distinction.
“Lana’s passion for sport competition, tremendous work ethic and commitment to excellence led to a distinguished career as a student athlete at MacEwan,” said Ken Schildroth, Director of Athletics at MacEwan University. “MacEwan University Athletics is very proud of her contribution to the development of the Griffins sports program.”
Nicoll’s fondest memories of her volleyball career in the ACAC and CCAA are of the friendships and deep bonds that were created during that time.
“Many of my closest friends to this day are the women I had the privilege of playing with in the CCAA, not only on my own team but athletes from other teams as well,” she said.
Nicoll later married her college sweetheart, who also played in the ACAC. The couple now resides in Edmonton with their four children.
“These are the most important relationships to me in my life and there are countless fond memories we all share from our playing days together,” said Nicoll.
Her most memorable experiences on the court include the intense feeling of capturing provincial championships and the rush of winning a National semi-final as well as the sting of defeat and sitting in the gym in silence, realizing her college volleyball days were over.
Nicoll fondly remembers the award recognition but just as important the deep belly laughs with teammates, getting team tattoos as well as being stranded in Quebec during the ice storm and making the best of it as a unit.
“Who I became and the personal development and growth we all went through during those days are the most extraordinary moments for me in retrospect, as it prepared us for our lives and groomed us to be great human beings,” said Nicoll. “Having the great privilege of being a student athlete in the CCAA and ACAC gave me countless life lessons and opportunities to grow.”
The many invaluable lessons taught Nicoll so much about herself and prepared her for Medical school and the eventual opening of her own private practice as a family Chiropractor and her second business as an Herbalife Wellness Coach.
“I am so thankful for my time in the CCAA and ACAC and have no doubt that it was a foundational part of helping me be so successful and happy in my life and I am forever grateful to have been a part of it,” she said.
