Nick Strusowski ‘28, a sophomore defensive back, went from benchwarmer to Walter Camp All-American in just one year. Strusowski is the first football player in Ursinus history to be awarded this prestigious accolade. During his freshman year, Strusowski only played in two games. The current sophomore, however, doesn’t count these games as “playing,” since he was only put in for a couple of plays at the end of the fourth quarter. This past fall, Strusowski played in all eleven games, several of which he played through wrist injuries. With his long list of accolades, one would assume Strusowski has developed an ego. Upon talking to him in person, however, one realizes straight away how humble and level-headed he is. When asked about being named an all-American as a sophomore, Strusowski responded, “It felt great. I texted everyone that helped me get to that point.” While he knows he is talented, and has the accomplishments to back it up, it was hard work that earned him the title of All-American. With approximately one hundred athletes on the team, Strusowski did not expect to get time his first year. Coming in as a freshman, there were multiple upperclassmen ahead of him at the defensive back position. Many of them, like Joey Small ‘25, a senior during the 2024 fall season, were more experienced players. While both Small and Strusowski may have been physically ready to play at the position, Small had the edge because of his stronger knowledge of the Ursinus playbook. Coming into his second year, Strusowski trained much harder during the offseason so that his in-season goals could come to fruition—and they did. T he summer entering his freshman year, Strusowski admitted to only training twice a week and calling it a day. The summer entering his sophomore year, however, he worked much harder, training at least five days a week. His training paid off, as Strusowski was tied for third on the team with 56 tackles, 32 of which were solo, third on the team with five pass break-ups, and tied for first in all of Division III for interceptions, with a total of eight. When asked about his proudest moment on the field, Strusowski had a surprising answer. Instead of his interception and pick-six return against the Kean Cougars, he cited an interception in the last game of the season. Strusowski set this scene for the Bears’ f inal game in the Centennial-Mac bowl matchup against Lebanon Valley College, A Saturday one o’clock game on Patterson field. Strusowski describes his f irst half as less than subpar: “…I wasn’t playing well. I let up eighty receiving yards, which isn’t very good.” The third quarter was where Strusowski broke Nick Strusowski Photo Credit: Ursinus Athletics out of his slump and made a real difference in a tight five-point game. He cites his scouting prep of the Lebanon Valley quarterback and receiver as the difference maker in his game: “I saw in film, they [the quarterback] really favored this one receiver, and if he [lines] up as the inside guy, he runs a corner. If I saw that, most likely it was going to him [the receiver], and plus the quarterback rolled out to that side.” This scout and film preparation led Strusowski to intercept the ball and return it to the three yard line for the Bears. At first, he claimed to be disappointed to have been stopped so close from scoring a touchdown, but then recalled, “It was pretty cool to get the team set up for a big score and take the lead.” Nick Strusowski’s mental game is really what sets him apart from his teammates. He has immense confidence in himself—a confidence that comes from being prepared. Jake Ziegler ‘28, Strusowski’s teammate and roommate stated, “Especially for me as a roommate, I can see how much work he puts in, especially through watching film. Going over the playbook, for example, this past week, he texted our group chat and made sure that we were all going to watch film and invited the freshmen. He puts in a lot of work, and not just himself, but for the team.” Strusowski didn’t let his first year discourage him. Instead, it motivated him to get better. Strusowski’s work ethic, both on the field and in the film room, are what earned him an All-American title. While proud of his many accomplishments, he only looks ahead to continue his high level of play and enjoyment of the game for the Ursinus Bears