Current starting player for the Morningside Mustangs college basketball team, and former star quarterback for the Pella Christian Eagles, Kyle Nikkel, has been taught a lot of lessons in his academic and athletic career. One thing that sticks out to him the most in his conversations with Eagles head football coach, Rich Kacmarynski, is never saying die until the final second ticks off the clock.
“Looking back and just all the times that Coach Kac[marynski] and I engaged in conversation, a lot if had to do with never giving up,” Nikkel said. “No matter the circumstances, if we were down by 21, or we were up by 49, he always told us to never give up. No matter how hard life was, or how bad we were losing, we always still had a chance until the clock hit zero.”
Nikkel also told KNIA/KRLS Sports that his decision to switch back to basketball at Morningside was a tough one, after playing football with great success for so long. You can hear the entire interview with the former Eagles standout tonight during the Marion County PM Sports Page on 92.1 KRLS at around 6:30 P.M. following In Depth with Dr. Bob Leonard.