Campus Life | March 8th, 2024

Black HerStory: Nya Bostic’s Journey

By: Hannah Kirby | Staff Writer

You do not have to look hard at Florida A&M to find hard-working students. The hustle is constantly circulating on the hill, but Nya Bostic exceeds the standards in every aspect. She is a true testament to hard work and dedication, which is what it really means to never give up on your dreams. 

Bostic is a third-year broadcast journalism scholar from Atlanta. The Rattler lineage runs deep within her family, having both parents being Florida A&M alumni, two older sisters that graduated from the university, and one that currently attends the university with her; she knew she had no other choice but to wear orange and green too. 

While she proudly represents her HBCU, her journey here was not easy. From a young age, Bostic had two loves: basketball and music. Rooting from her parents’ involvement in the Marching 100 during their time at Florida A&M sparked her own interest in music. Prompting her and her siblings to learn their own perspective instruments.

“My siblings and I also had very competitive spirit in ourselves so athletics didn’t come too far afterward,” said Bostic.

She begged her mother to sign her up for basketball, and she finally gave in. Bostic found her love for sports when she started to play in the recreation league. Dibbling and dabbling in various sports, she realized she was most passionate about basketball. 

Nya Bostic in her FAMU basketball uniform. Photo courtesy of FAMU athletics.

Following her dreams of playing basketball, she sought out opportunities that would allow her to both get an education and continue her passion for basketball. That meant spending the first two years of her collegiate career at Tallahassee Community College. Bostic earned a full scholarship to play basketball, but she was not living the dream she had imagined. 

Soon after she began playing with the team, she realized something was off. It was very difficult for her to adapt to the different coaching styles and culture of the team. 

“I came from a championship-winning coach in high school and even have under my belt, but watching what happened every day, I knew it was up to me to keep pushing and work so I can be offered to somewhere better,” Bostic said.

After tirelessly trying to get onto someone else’s roster, she was hit with the same generic responses from different teams. Saying, “We’re not looking for any more players,” or “Our roster is already full.” 

Searching for other ways to pay for school, she was reminded of her love for music. While in high school, Bostic was considered “One of the best flutists in Dekalb County.” There was no question that she brought her talents home to the best band in the land. The one and only often imitated and never duplicated, The Incomparable Marching 100. 

While Bostic was happy to attend the university that brought her family so much pride, something was still missing. She yearned to be back on a basketball court, doing what she truly loved. 

“I knew I was doing what I had to do to get to where I wanted. As long as I was still able to get my education for free, I knew I was still going to be great and just fine despite being very upset that I wasn’t on the court playing. I was playing the long game and waiting for my opportunity to get on the court again,” Bostic said. 

In July of 2023, the Florida A&M women’s basketball team got a new coach. Bostic was awarded a scholarship to play under the new team leadership of Coach Bridgette Gordon. This is what she worked hard for, to not only play basketball again but to play at the Division 1 level. 

Bostic made great strides as the season progressed but soon after suffered an injury. She broke her 5th metacarpal and needed surgery the day before Thanksgiving. This was only a minor setback for a major comeback that would soon premiere. 

“Nya definitely showed strength. We all watched her not get what she wanted, and that was to continue playing basketball. It really hurt her not being able to play, but she kept going. She stayed in the gym, she continued to work and make progress in and out of the gym, and it worked out in her favor,” Jada Bostic, Nya’s younger sister, said. 

Bostic is back on the court healthy and better than ever, doing what she loves. 

 

Official flyer for FAMU’s Women’s Basketball Team’s Senior Night. Photo courtesy of @famuwbb on Instagram.

“I want to be remembered by bringing FAMU their first SWAC championship. I also love to give back to my community so when I make it in life, I want to be able to give back to the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication students as well as the student-athletes,” Bostic said. 

Bostic is truly the definition of perseverance, resilience, and dedication. Catch Bostic in action on the court with the lady Rattlers for their senior night this Saturday, March 9, against Bethune-Cookman here on the hill.