Hall of Fame
Laurie (Franklin) Nichols, a 2005 Malone graduate (Sport Management), was a four-year letter winner on the Pioneer women's soccer team. A 2001 graduate of South Oldham High School in Louisville, Kentucky, Nichols received her Master's degree in Sports Administration from the University of Louisville in 2007.
A four-year starter at the goalkeeper position, Nichols currently owns Malone's single-season and career records for goals against average and shutouts. She allowed just 68 goals in 88 career games for a microscopic GAA of 0.77. Nichols never allowed more than 20 goals in any season and totaled 34 career shutouts, 11 more than any other keeper in program history.
The Pioneers experienced tremendous success throughout her career as the squad compiled a 66-15-7 record during her four years in a Malone uniform. In 2003, she helped lead the Pioneers to an NAIA Region IX Championship and the program's first and only NAIA National Tournament appearance. Nichols also played a critical role in guiding Malone to an NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) National Championship in 2002 and back-to-back American Mideast Conference Titles in 2001 and 2002.
Nichols received a multitude of awards for both her athletic and academic accomplishments. She was a four-time member of the NAIA All-America Honorable Mention Team, a four-time NAIA Region IX selection and a four-time NCCAA All-American. In each of her four years, Nichols was also named to the American Mideast Conference Team, the OCSA (Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association) All-Ohio Team and the NCCAA East Region Team. She earned NCCAA All-Tournament Team accolades in 2002 and was named an All-American Scholar Athlete by the NAIA and the NCCAA in both 2002 and 2003.
Nichols is currently employed as an Operations Manager with Healthcare Asset Network while also serving as an assistant coach with the Oldham County High School girls soccer team. In 2014, she helped South Oldham High School's girls soccer team capture a State Championship as an assistant coach. Laurie and her husband, Michael, and their son, Mason (1), currently reside in Crestwood, Kentucky.
