Alyssa Nichols (born January 15, 1996) is an American soccer referee.
Early life
Nichols was born on January 15, 1996, in Jackson, Mississippi, to Pearl and Andrew Pennington.[1] She attended Murrah High School in Jackson, where she was a member of the school soccer team.[2] Nichols went on to earn her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Jackson State University, joining the Delta Sigma Theta sorority and graduating magna cum laude.[2]
Career
Nichols started refereeing at the age of 17.[3] She became the first woman from Mississippi to receive a national referee license from the United States Soccer Federation when she was 23 years old.[2] In January 2023, Nichols became the youngest Black woman, as well as the first woman from Mississippi, to earn a FIFA referee badge.[2][4]
Personal life
Nichols has lived in Tampa, Florida, United States.[4] Her husband, Philip Nichols, was a college soccer player.[1][2]