This past weekend the Wilmington Youth Rowing family experienced a great loss. One of our Great Coaches, Devante Nichols, has sadly passed away. Devante has been very important to all of us at WYRA. You cannot match the level of energy he brought to the boathouse. He cared so much about each and every member. He wore his heart on his sleeve and it showed.
Devante first started at WYRA at our RowForIt! Summer Camp. Once he started the 8th grade he began at WYRA as a Novice. His coaches could not stop talking about how hard of a worker he was. He soon became 4 year varsity rower and helped take his boat to nationals each year. Before that the men’s team hadn’t been to nationals in at least 4 years. There’s no doubt that Devante was one of the best this program has ever seen. Then, in 2019, Devante became a member of our coaching staff.
When Devante started coaching, he said something to us that none of the staff will never forget. As everyone knows rowing is the ultimate team sport and everyone has to work together. Devante mentioned how as an athlete his background didn’t matter. His teammates backgrounds didn’t matter. All that mattered was that they worked together. Being at WYRA puts everyone on a level playing field. It doesn’t matter that some athletes are from a wealthy private school or that some come from harsher backgrounds. They are all rowers together. Being able to relay that amazing message is one of many reasons he was such an amazing coach.
We are raising money to help the Nichols family with the expenses of Devante’s funeral and memorial services. Please help us in our effort to honor such an amazing young man that has left us way to soon.
All the money donated through this Wilmington Youth Rowing Association "Go Fund Me" site will go directly to the Nichols family.
Devante first started at WYRA at our RowForIt! Summer Camp. Once he started the 8th grade he began at WYRA as a Novice. His coaches could not stop talking about how hard of a worker he was. He soon became 4 year varsity rower and helped take his boat to nationals each year. Before that the men’s team hadn’t been to nationals in at least 4 years. There’s no doubt that Devante was one of the best this program has ever seen. Then, in 2019, Devante became a member of our coaching staff.
When Devante started coaching, he said something to us that none of the staff will never forget. As everyone knows rowing is the ultimate team sport and everyone has to work together. Devante mentioned how as an athlete his background didn’t matter. His teammates backgrounds didn’t matter. All that mattered was that they worked together. Being at WYRA puts everyone on a level playing field. It doesn’t matter that some athletes are from a wealthy private school or that some come from harsher backgrounds. They are all rowers together. Being able to relay that amazing message is one of many reasons he was such an amazing coach.
We are raising money to help the Nichols family with the expenses of Devante’s funeral and memorial services. Please help us in our effort to honor such an amazing young man that has left us way to soon.
All the money donated through this Wilmington Youth Rowing Association "Go Fund Me" site will go directly to the Nichols family.
Organizer and beneficiary
Louis Salvadori
Beneficiary