Shane Nance was a standout baseball player known for his strong arm and powerful bat. At Dobie High School in Pasadena, he lettered all four years and helped the team win three district titles (1994, 1995, 1996), including a run to the regional finals in 1995. Nance posted impressive pitching stats, including a 12-3 record as a junior and a 0.69 ERA in district play as a senior, where he was also named first-team All-State. His hitting was equally impressive, with a .514 batting average in his senior year. 

After high school, Nance played college baseball at the University of Houston, where he became a key player for the Cougars. He was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Year and a first-team freshman All-American. Throughout his collegiate career, he earned All-Conference USA honors multiple times and led the Cougars to the Conference USA Tournament title in 2000. He holds career records for wins (32) and strikeouts (388) at the University of Houston. 

Nance's talent led him to professional baseball after being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his Major League debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002 and also played for the Arizona Diamondbacks before retiring due to injuries. Nance played for Team USA twice and earned a silver medal in the World Cup.