Mike Nicola Earns Board of Regents KUDOS Award

The Board of Regents presented a KUDOS award to Mike Nicola, Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Performance, within the University of Nebraska at Omaha Athletics Department, also known as Omaha Athletics.

Mike joined Omaha Athletics in 2013 originally as an assistant athletic trainer, working with the Maverick baseball team – who won their first Summit League Championship that season – before being promoted to head athletic trainer and eventually assistant athletic director for athletic performance this past October.

When COVID-19 paused athletic competition for Maverick sports it was Mike who stepped up to help establish new protocols to keep student athletes safe while still being able to practice and stay active.

Mike has been recognized as a “true leader” in recent months, working closely not only with UNO campus leaders, but also UNMC experts, the Summit League, and the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. In particular, his work in establishing safety protocols for student athletes was a deciding factor in Omaha being selected as the location for the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s pod system, which will allow other universities to engage in Division I hockey competition this December at UNO’s Baxter Arena.

“Mike has certainly earned the respect and confidence of our campus and conference partners,” said Trev Alberts, UNO Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Athletic Director.

Through his hard work, innovation, and commitment to the health and wellbeing of UNO’s student athletes, Mike Nicola represents a true Maverick Spirit that is an inspiration to anyone he works with.