Nick grew up with a basketball hoop in his basement. This is not uncommon for many kids, but what set Nick apart was that while he played he would simultaneously announce the plays, just as a sports announcer would. He wouldn’t stop there, announcing games he would attend, videos of old sports games he watched, and even Xbox games he played. Nick had a passion for breaking down the sports he loved, and this would continue with him throughout his life.
After two years at Joliet Junior College, Nick transferred to Olivet, becoming a Radio Communication Major and dreaming of being a sports broadcaster. ONU was Nick’s top choice due to its close proximity and Christian prominence.
He has recently been very involved in the campus radio station, Shine.fm, recording every day. It originally took Nick over an hour to record his first show, but as time went on, he developed his skills, refining his technique and efficiency. It now usually only take him five to ten minutes to do a show.
Nick was scheduled to be an official sports broadcaster for the upcoming ONU baseball games, finally accomplishing a step in his long-term goals. However, due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of all Olivet sports events, Nick’s opportunities are unfortunately lost.
Coping with a new status quo, Nick still shows a positive spirit. He is in tight quarantine at home, as his asthma has the potential to make him very susceptible to the coronavirus. But he is optimistic at the online format of classes, even though they are very different from online classes he has taken before.
While he finishes these classes at home, a job at the local Staples awaits him. Knowing his health prevents him from currently leaving his home, Nick’s boss at Staples understands and tells Nick his job will be waiting for him when COVID-19 dies down and he is able to get out of the house.
Nick is no stranger to working retail jobs, as he was an employee at a Grocery store growing up. His position allowed him to walk around, never being stuck in one place, and always being able to communicate with people, which is something Nick loves,
Nick loves collecting baseball and basketball cards; he now has over ten thousand, a shocking number! He has also lived with a peanut allergy his whole life and when on campus, will get together once a week to play basketball with a friend. Nick expects to graduate Fall 2020, staying an extra semester to finish his degree.
