By: Daiyu Tang
With the recent security issues we touched on in the Observer yesterday I and the University Administration felt that it was important to ensure that students knew that their faculty was available to support them in their studies, team sports and more as Columtreal moves forward.
Today we are proud to present our interview with Nara Nueva, the Athletics Director at CU who was at pains to make it clear that she is here to support students both now and into the future. So let’s get into it…
Starting With the Basics
When Nara stepped into the Observer’s office, there was little of the performative defensiveness that often accompanies new appointments in Hathian. Calm, direct, and visibly at ease, she made it clear early on that she was not here to waste time; hers or anyone else’s.
I began with the basics.
“Would you mind clarifying your professional title at CU?” I asked. “When did you start, and what were you doing before you arrived? And let’s add, for good measure, why CU? It’s not exactly winning at sports, aside from cheerleading.”
Nara smiled at that; the question clearly expected.
“I’m the Athletics Director at Columtreal. I’m a bit more than just a head coach, I’m helping the administration get the sports teams running again,” she said, pun very much intended as far as I could tell. Oh readers, we have a funny one. I thought I’d poke a bit more, but before then she continued; “I’ve been here since the start of the 2025 Autumn Semester. I came on initially as a strength and conditioning coach, and when the position opened, I stepped up. Before CU, I was finishing my doctorate in Sports Medicine at Stanford, and I’ll be defending my thesis soon. More importantly, I’m also a competitive track and field athlete.”
But why CU I insisted. Let’s face it, we’re not exactly blessed with the best university and that’s before Hathian criminals get to it every now and then…
“Why CU? Two reasons. First, my coach, Fawnie Dimple, competed here and is herself an Olympian. Second, Columtreal allows me to continue my competitive career while teaching.”
Nara
It was a neat answer. A little too neat right?
“If this were Hathian, I’d call Bullshit,” I didn’t hide my scepticism. Olympian at CU? I knew of some powerful and rich people in the area. I had seen musical talent rise out of Hathian, but a peak athlete? I mean if Hathian was a training ground to run fast from gangs; then sure. Nothing beats it. But really? “Being blunt,” I said, “people don’t usually come to Hathian with good degrees and clean résumés. They come because they’re broke, hiding, running, or looking to do damage. You sure none of that applies?”
Nara didn’t bristle. She leaned back and gave her response, one that had a kernel of real truth to it if my ears were working properly at least.
“Honestly? CU is a stepping stone. I don’t know how long I’ll be in Hathian or at Columtreal. But having this position, even at a lower-tier school, looks good on a résumé. And if I can find even a handful of athletes with real potential and help them become something, then I’ve done my job. That might smell like bullshit to some, but it beats spending twenty years as an assistant coach at a big-name school and kissing more Olympic shots goodbye. It’s hard work, Miss Tang, but I’m an athlete. I understand the concept.”
There it was. Not romance, not some hidden past or unsavoury background as far as I could tell. Just pragmatic realism. Strategy.
The Work, Not the Posters
We moved on to the day-to-day and how Nara would see things working at Columtreal. “Let’s say you find these athletes,” I asked. “What does proper management actually look like? How do you coach someone here?” I was wondering if I’d spot Keys in the gym for once, or the cheerleaders suddenly doing laps, rather than just bends and squats.
Nara had that answer ready as well: “Consultation. I’ll meet with them, talk goals, talk plans, what they want from their sport and their training. Because the department is small, I can be more personal. For solo athletes like runners, swimmers, and weightlifters, it’s about training. Team sports need more structure, scheduling, planning, administration.” I wondered who she might have in her sights already, because getting a top tier coach (director!) would be good for people and surely she’d be in demand.
“Are there students you’’ highlight? And how do you manage discipline, nutrition, and focus when CU students aren’t exactly known for restraint?” This is true, Pizza, Burgers, and suspect Asian food, those are the CU haunts for most. Oh and boba and pastries and… you get the idea. Nara thought about it:
“Tasha, she’s done incredible work setting up a 3v3 basketball team for an Unrivaled League. I’ve mostly supported her administratively, but she’s potential WNBA quality. She just needs to play and be seen. Rayna Halley is a cheerleader, but I’ve been training her for middle-distance athletics like 400 and 800 meters. She’s starting late, but her dedication is exceptional.”
Pressed on food and discipline, she answer: “Nutrition is difficult. We’ve secured some food assistance programs for athletes with real potential, but discipline ultimately comes from within. I focus on the rare ones.”
Closing Call
I really wanted to hear what Nara’s advice, considering the present circumstances were. What was the message for her athletic students…
“Take the first step. Lift the first weight. Have the first conversation. Not everyone reaches an Olympic stage, very few do. But find your own Olympic stage, whatever that is, and chase it.”
Nara
Well my dears, Nara does not pretend CU is something it isn’t. That honesty alone sets her apart from some of the fake teachers and slacker students. And in the aftermath of violence? When students are understandably shaken? There is value in leadership that is calm, visible, and unapologetically focused on the future.
