EVERYDAY CHAMPION: AARON NICHOLS
EVERYDAY CHAMPION: AARON NICHOLS “He’s an amazing guy, we are so proud to have him be a part of our program.” That’s not a quote about senior wide receiver Aaron Nichols from Oregon State head football coach Mike Riley or any of his assistants, although it could easily be. It’s a comment from Angela Austin-Haney, an advisor in OSU’s Pharmacy program. Amazing is definitely a good description for Nichols who has thrived at OSU on and off the field after arriving on campus in the summer of 2006 from Honolulu. The 10-time Athletic Department Honor Roll student has not only developed into a go-to receiver and special teams player on the field, but also is truly a role model for student-athletes. Nichols will finish his playing eligibility this season, but he is going to be around campus for a couple more years as he and his teammate Wilder McAndrews are two of only approximately 10 percent of applicants who have been accepted into OSU’s Doctor of Pharmacy Program. It’s a program that requires two years of on-campus instruction, a third year at the Oregon Health and Science University followed by seven sixweek rotations in actual pharmacies. “I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to study when I first came to campus,” Nichols, formerly a walk-on to the team, said of his decision to study pharmacy. “I started taking a lot of science classes and did pretty well and enjoyed them. In high school (Kamehameha) I took a class that involved the understanding of how Hawaiians use plants to make traditional medicines and that stirred an interest in me.” To learn more about this week’s Everyday Champion, Aaron Nichols, please read the following Q&A. Is your goal to return to Hawai’i and be a pharmacist? Eventually, that’s what I would like to do – to make an impact in a community in my native state. But, I love Oregon and I wouldn’t mind staying here to save up some money so I could go back home in time.
it helps having a buddy keep you on track and study late into the evening. What brought you to Oregon State? Several things brought me to Oregon State; the great football program, the large population of Hawaiians on campus that keeps me from being homesick and of course the academics. Was it a big adjustment for you leaving Hawai’i for OSU? The weather was probably the hardest – I was coming from paradise weather 365 days a year to a place that has four seasons, but there were a lot of things that helped me make that transition. The BEST (Bridge) program and the numerous clubs on campus made my transition much easier, including the Hui-O-Hawaii Club. How was your experience with the Bridge Program? It was a huge benefit transitioning from high school to college, in terms of the relationship between the academic part of being a student-athlete and the athletic part. The biggest benefit from the program for me was learning how to construct a schedule that balances the daily demands of being a student-athlete. What did you know about Oregon State when you arrived on campus? I didn’t know a lot, honestly. I knew about the football program and the academics. My main focus coming to OSU was academics, while football has been a passion of mine for a long time – I’ve been blessed to have both. What surprised you about Oregon State? How passionate and dedicated Beaver fans are. When I arrived here my only experience with college athletics was the University of Hawai’i and the Western Athletic
What do you like to do outside of athletics? I’m a part of the Hui-O-Hawaii Club Luau every spring. We organize a bunch of dances as well; the goal is to have people experience the Hawaiian culture. Do you enjoy any off campus activities? During the football season I like to just rest, because there isn’t a lot of down time then. During the offseason I like to hang out with Keith Pankey and Brandon Hardin; we like to hunt and hike. What does it mean to you to be an Everyday Champion? It’s a nice honor as it demonstrates that I have been able to balance my academics and athletics. It wasn’t until my sophomore year that I really grasped what was involved in being a student-athlete. If you had a chance to address “Beaver Nation” at a football game, what would you say? Beaver Nation is doing a great job. This program has been growing since I first arrived and it’s exciting to see the passion. This last weekend when all of the students were camped out to get tickets in the cold rain was something that made me feel proud to be a Beaver. I just want to say thank you to all the students, it means a lot to the team. Do you have a favorite moment as a Beaver? The two times we beat USC in Corvallis were awesome experiences. To be a part of all the fans rushing the field – that was awe-inspiring to see everybody taking part in great victories. What’s it like playing for Mike Riley? Playing for Coach Riley is a blast; it has definitely been a blessing for me. There were people worried about him leaving for USC last year, but I wasn’t concerned. He’s very loyal and I have been very lucky to have him as a coach.
How difficult was it to get accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at OSU? Ever since I was a little kid my parents stressed that academics comes first before anything else, and that has been how I have approached things in college. Being accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy Program was a big accomplishment for me. It’s a rigorous process – it means a lot to me. Is it coincidental or planned that you and your teammate and home state native Wilder McAndrews both have been accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy program? Actually, it’s totally coincidental. We both decided on our career paths on our own. We have a lot of classes together and it’s a benefit having a teammate in difficult courses like biochemistry and organic chemistry;
Conference; this is a huge step up playing in the Pac10 Conference. The competition and the passion of the fans are much different. I will always remember running out of the tunnel for my first game at Reser Stadium.
Will football be a part of your life when you are done playing? I definitely can’t get away from the game. Football has been a passion for me since I can remember and I want to be able to contribute so others can enjoy the game too.
Aaron Nichols has been a key receiver for the Beavers this season and was last week’s everyday champion
What was your reaction when Coach Riley brought you into his office to award you a scholarship (2010-11)? The funny thing is that he didn’t bring me into his office, he actually told me right before a spring practice when I was warming up. I was so excited to hear that – I had the best practice in my life. Right after practice I think I ran a 4.4 40 to the locker room so I could call my parents – that was an awesome experience.
it helps having a buddy keep you on track and study late into the evening. What brought you to Oregon State? Several things brought me to Oregon State; the great football program, the large population of Hawaiians on campus that keeps me from being homesick and of course the academics. Was it a big adjustment for you leaving Hawai’i for OSU? The weather was probably the hardest – I was coming from paradise weather 365 days a year to a place that has four seasons, but there were a lot of things that helped me make that transition. The BEST (Bridge) program and the numerous clubs on campus made my transition much easier, including the Hui-O-Hawaii Club. How was your experience with the Bridge Program? It was a huge benefit transitioning from high school to college, in terms of the relationship between the academic part of being a student-athlete and the athletic part. The biggest benefit from the program for me was learning how to construct a schedule that balances the daily demands of being a student-athlete. What did you know about Oregon State when you arrived on campus? I didn’t know a lot, honestly. I knew about the football program and the academics. My main focus coming to OSU was academics, while football has been a passion of mine for a long time – I’ve been blessed to have both. What surprised you about Oregon State? How passionate and dedicated Beaver fans are. When I arrived here my only experience with college athletics was the University of Hawai’i and the Western Athletic
What do you like to do outside of athletics? I’m a part of the Hui-O-Hawaii Club Luau every spring. We organize a bunch of dances as well; the goal is to have people experience the Hawaiian culture. Do you enjoy any off campus activities? During the football season I like to just rest, because there isn’t a lot of down time then. During the offseason I like to hang out with Keith Pankey and Brandon Hardin; we like to hunt and hike. What does it mean to you to be an Everyday Champion? It’s a nice honor as it demonstrates that I have been able to balance my academics and athletics. It wasn’t until my sophomore year that I really grasped what was involved in being a student-athlete. If you had a chance to address “Beaver Nation” at a football game, what would you say? Beaver Nation is doing a great job. This program has been growing since I first arrived and it’s exciting to see the passion. This last weekend when all of the students were camped out to get tickets in the cold rain was something that made me feel proud to be a Beaver. I just want to say thank you to all the students, it means a lot to the team. Do you have a favorite moment as a Beaver? The two times we beat USC in Corvallis were awesome experiences. To be a part of all the fans rushing the field – that was awe-inspiring to see everybody taking part in great victories. What’s it like playing for Mike Riley? Playing for Coach Riley is a blast; it has definitely been a blessing for me. There were people worried about him leaving for USC last year, but I wasn’t concerned. He’s very loyal and I have been very lucky to have him as a coach.
How difficult was it to get accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at OSU? Ever since I was a little kid my parents stressed that academics comes first before anything else, and that has been how I have approached things in college. Being accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy Program was a big accomplishment for me. It’s a rigorous process – it means a lot to me. Is it coincidental or planned that you and your teammate and home state native Wilder McAndrews both have been accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy program? Actually, it’s totally coincidental. We both decided on our career paths on our own. We have a lot of classes together and it’s a benefit having a teammate in difficult courses like biochemistry and organic chemistry;
Conference; this is a huge step up playing in the Pac10 Conference. The competition and the passion of the fans are much different. I will always remember running out of the tunnel for my first game at Reser Stadium.
Will football be a part of your life when you are done playing? I definitely can’t get away from the game. Football has been a passion for me since I can remember and I want to be able to contribute so others can enjoy the game too.
Aaron Nichols has been a key receiver for the Beavers this season and was last week’s everyday champion
What was your reaction when Coach Riley brought you into his office to award you a scholarship (2010-11)? The funny thing is that he didn’t bring me into his office, he actually told me right before a spring practice when I was warming up. I was so excited to hear that – I had the best practice in my life. Right after practice I think I ran a 4.4 40 to the locker room so I could call my parents – that was an awesome experience.
