This is Nicolai’s first day on the job as Concord Carlisle High School’s Junior Varsity soccer coach. He will be running tryouts for the fall season today. Nine years ago he was on the other side of the whistle hoping to make the JV squad. Below is my post from that day.

Nicolai spent the weekend in tryouts for his high school junior varsity soccer team. There are many kids vying for a small number of remaining openings. For the first time, Nico’s skill and determination may not be enough to compensate for his inability to run as fast as others. Of two things I am sure, however. First, Nico is putting every ounce of his strength into these tryouts. Second, that the decision of his coach will look past his disability and only consider his effectiveness on the field. For many years we struggled to work past small minded officials who could not imagine that Nicolai would be able to play or contribute to the beautiful game. He has since proven to the entire local soccer community that he has game and the question now is no longer one of discrimination or exclusion. Our fingers will remain crossed for him.

Nico did make the squad and went on to demonstrate that he could hold his own and be a real asset to the team.