Nora Lucas Klein was a letterwinner for the Fighting Illini women's golf team from 2009-2012. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, she holds the program record for the lowest 54-hole tournament score at -11 at the 2012 Westbrook Invitational. She won the individual title in that tournament, helping Illinois to the team title as well.

After her collegiate career, Klein began an amateur golf career that has seen her compete in multiple USGA championship events, including the 2013 USGA State Team Championship, the 2016 USGA Women's Four-Ball Championship, and the 2019 USGA Women's Mid-AM Championship.

Klein double majored in English and History at UIUC and earned a law degree from Notre Dame. Today, she is a corporate attorney at McDermott Will and Emery, LLP in her hometown of Glenview, Ill. She currently focuses on mergers and acquisitions in the private equity space. She and her husband, Jon Klein, are expecting their first child in August. 

I chose Illinois because:

My mom had grown up in Champaign and most of her family still lives there to this day and when I visited the campus and met with Renee it felt like an extension of my mom's family. Moreover, Illinois has such a strong academic and athletic reputation not only in Chicago but throughout the US. By going there I knew post-grad I would be prepared professionally to tackle my career post-golf. Furthermore, at the time Renee was building the foundation of what has become a top BigTen program and it was exciting to be part of that early foundation. 

Favorite team memory:

There is not one particular moment that I cherish the most but it is the collective time I got to spend at an unbelievable academic institution surrendered by my closest friends (who I still remain close with to this day). Whether it was practicing at Stone Creek or traveling to Arizona for a golf trip those ordinary moments together are times I will never forget and cherish for the rest of my life. 

Favorite campus spot: Demirjian

How did the University of Illinois prepare you for your career?

Illinois prepared me by instilling in me a work ethic that I still utilize today. From the very first day I arrived on campus, Renee had us on a schedule, which at the time seemed very overwhelming but fortunately taught me the importance of being organized and staying on top of my studies and golf. Just like my daily routine on campus, I take those same routines to the office every day and feel that those lessons have made me a better professional. 

What has been the most valuable lesson you learned from your time at Illinois?

The importance of hard work and determination. As a walk-on Renee gave me an opportunity to be part of Big-Ten program and compete with the best. Prior to going to Illinois, I did not have a stellar junior golf career like my teammates or like the women we competed against. However, day after day Renee and my teammates pushed me to be better and the results soon came.  To this day I strongly believe that hard work and determination can overcome all obstacles. 

How did the U of I help you grow during your college journey (golf, academics, personal)?

One of the biggest lessons Renee, my teammates and the school helped me understand while I was in Champaign was to take ownership for my actions and fail forward. As an 18-22 year old kid, you fail a lot or have lots of growing pains but being part of the U of I family showed me that failing is so important to becoming a better person and Renee would often say things like "If you aren't failing you are not getting better." One practice she made us play our "worst-ball" scramble which was absolutely terrible at the time but looking back it taught me and my teammates that in order to get better you have to recognize where your weaknesses are and move forward. Sometimes life can be a worst ball scramble and to able to learn that lesson as a 19 year old is something i will carry with me for the rest of my life. 

How has the alumni network impacted your experience during your time on campus and following graduation? 

The alumni network in Chicago has been tremendous, moreover my husband recently graduated from Gies with an MBA in 2019 and the two of us have fully embraced the Chicago Illini nation by attending alumni events or sporting events in the Chicagoland area.

How did being a member of the Illinois Women's Golf Team impact you? 

It gave me the greatest group of friends i could ever ask for and let me travel around the US playing the game I love! 

How would you describe your relationship with your teammates and coaches? 

Amazing, to this day we are all still very close! 

What skills did you gain/develop by being an Illini student-athlete?

Hard work, organization and leadership. 

What do you miss most from your time on campus?

Being able to hang out with my teammates! 

What advice would you like to share with our current team members?

Enjoy it - it goes too fast! 

Top item on my bucket list: Play Augusta! 

Last time you were on campus? Christmas 2019

Twitter/Instagram handle: noralklein (instagram)