Men's soccer and sports information will be taking advantage of the off-season months to catch up with some of our men's soccer alum to reflect on their experience at Dominican University (or Rosary College). Today, we catch up with Nick Kowalczyk from the class of 2023.
What have you been up to since graduating from Dominican?
I got engaged to my longtime girlfriend Klaudia, started a job at Morgan Stanley, and have since been studying to complete the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) certification! I'm on the second level of three, and I'll be sitting for that exam in May. We also moved to downtown Chicago to stay close to work, which has been a lot of fun. We are now planning the wedding and spending our time checking out venues when I'm not studying.
What do you miss most about Dominican?
I miss the people! Being around teammates, coaches, and professors was always a bright spot in a day on campus. The community we built was something I will always cherish, and I look forward to the opportunities to come back on campus and reconnect with the people.
What was your most memorable moment while at Dominican?
I would say winning the NACC conference tournament in 2019. That was my freshman year, and it secured our automatic bid to the NCAA national tournament. It was the culmination of a lot of hard work and a great regular season that everyone on the team contributed to. Lifting the trophy and watching the selection show and then traveling and competing on a national scale is something I will never forget.
What advice would you give to an incoming player?
One of the things Coach Baumann mentioned on our first day in August was that the fall season is a marathon, but we are going to sprint it. I always recall this quote with former teammates and laugh about hearing that on our first day and setting the tone, but it does really represent the college soccer experience well. It can feel like a marathon, but it only lasts from August to December if you're one of the lucky and talented teams that last that long. And then you only get to do that four times. It will be over before you know it, so cherish the ups and the downs! Both help you learn. Apart from enjoying the process, make sure to buy into the program - it does so much more for you than just develop you as a soccer player. It builds discipline, strengthens your character, and helps you grow up. All of those things in turn will make you a better person and a better player. I will forever be grateful to the coaches and the team for the wisdom they've passed on to me.
