Mikkel Kolstad is a junior on the men’s basketball team. He is originally from Bergen, Norway and has played many other sports including soccer. He played for a club team as well as quite a few national teams. Kolstad originally went to Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia for two years before transferring to NSU.
Why did you choose to come to NSU?
“I wanted a change, and when I heard about Nova and coach Crutch[field] and everything, it just felt really something I wanted to be a part of. I can see he changed the program the first year he was here, and I wanted to be a part of that and be a part of something on the rise. Also the location, like it’s beautiful down here. Coming from Norway, it’s snow and cold back home right now…palm trees and everything is not that bad either.”
What are the pros and cons of being a student-athlete?
“[The pros are] I like how it’s set up, like how both athletics and academics are set up…easier to balance it out. The teachers work with you. Cons: you don’t get a lot of sleep; it’s a lot of bus rides, staying up late with homework and stuff like that.”
What is your favorite thing to do after a big game?
“If we win a big game I want to be with the team. From when we get into the locker room, everyone continues the celebration.”
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
“I need to take a nap, for sure. And I might play video games, [like] Fortnite. Get a coffee, and then start focusing. Listen to some music and start thinking about the game.”
Who do you consider your biggest role model?
“I would say, my parents. They went with what they wanted to work with. My mom is an artist, my dad is a musician so they went with not the easiest jobs but they work hard…Hard working parents…”
What advice would you give to an incoming freshman athlete?
“I would say do good research for the school you go to, find the right situation for you and place where you want to be and then, just be ready to adapt to change and be ready to get up really early. It’s tough in the beginning but it’s worth it.”
How has basketball helped you adjust to college life?
“It’s like a big family. The athletes that have been here longer than I help me on and off the courts with classes. I’m a junior now, so I’m kind of used to it. But coming in as a freshman, that was really big for all the players to help me like that.”
How did you deal with the adjustment of moving to the U.S.?
“It was difficult just to leave my country, but once I got on the plane, I was just ready for whatever was coming. I just took a chance going somewhere I’ve never been before. I wanted to see where it would take me, and now I’m here. So it worked out pretty well.”
What does your downtime look like?
“Sleep…we might play like video games with the team, we might go to the beach or the pool. Stuff like that…talk to family back home.”
