Nick Van Sicklen's relationship with Madison didn't start with the soccer pitch or a classroom. In fact, there was no exact moment that drew him to the excellent campus. The city and university were places that had always been in his life.
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Raised in Madison, Van Sicklen was just steps away from all the offerings of UW, indulging in the area's sports and enjoying the ice cream provided by Memorial Union. The environment was the perfect place to begin a love for athletics, but it was Van Sicklen's family that pushed him into that journey.
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"My brothers were the main factor in helping me along the way," Van Sicklen explained.
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"I grew up in a household with two brothers (older and younger) and we played every sport under the sun - hockey, tennis, soccer, etc. The combination of playing sports with your brothers and playing lots of different sports helped shape my athletic career."
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Van Sicklen owned his multi-sport prowess through high school, where he was the second-leading scorer on Madison West's hockey team during his senior season. But his true historical mark for West was made while he was on the pitch. Van Sicklen made good use of the Badger soccer camps he went to as a child, tallying 18 goals and 16 assists as a defensive midfielder as a junior. His senior season was even more impressive, scoring 39 goals and adding 20 assists for a 19-6 conference winning squad, earning him a NSCAA Midwest All-America selection.
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The star player had his choice of colleges, but the Madison native didn't have to think too hard about his decision.Â
Van Sicklen during his
freshman season
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"I started taking my official visits to other schools, I naturally always compared it directly to Madison, and let's be honest, no other campus competes with Madison."
Van Sicklen's impact as a Badger was both immediate and memorable. During his freshman year, he assisted Aaron Lauber's four-goal game against Northwestern – the most goals by a Badger in a single game – while also scoring a goal of his own. He finished his freshman season tied for first on the team with five assists. Despite middling team records during Van Sicklen's four-year career with the Badgers, the midfielder continued to leave an impressive statistical imprint. He was an All-Conference selection in his remaining three seasons with the team, with 15+ points in each. He was named team offensive MVP in those years as well, always a scoring threat when on the pitch.
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Some of his most memorable moments include beating both Marquette and Milwaukee during the 2003 season, the first sweep of Wisconsin's in-state rivals since 1994. Van Sicklen also both scored and assisted in the Badgers' 2-0 victory over Ohio State in the 2003 Big Ten Tournament, ending the program's five-game tournament losing streak. Perhaps his most memorable performance though came against Penn State in 2004, where Van Sicklen tallied three goals and one assist in a 4-3 Badger victory. His seven points that game are the second most of any Badger player in a game and the most at the McClimon Soccer Complex.
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Van Sicklen (middle) smiles
with teammates
While Van Sicklen finished his career as the fifth-leading scorer in Wisconsin history, his most memorable moments came with the relationships that he made with his teammates.
"Playing collegiate sports was one of the best experiences of my life. Aside from the wins and losses, I met some of my best friends through UW athletics. My wedding party consisted of three Badger soccer players."
Van Sicklen's soccer career was not over after his four-years at Wisconsin, however. He tried out for a few teams in Germany but was relieved to find out that he wouldn't have to overcome any language barrier when he was selected 19th overall in the 2005 MLS Superdraft. It was D.C. United who made Van Sicklen the sixth badger to be selected to the MLS. The Madison native impressed during the team's tryouts and made the 18-man roster, but his career in America lasted just a short while. Van Sicklen's played two games for United, starting both during the CONCACAF Champions league. He started for United during their 2-1 second leg victory against Harbor View in the quarterfinals.
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Van Sicklen appreciated his time in the MLS but is also impressed with out different the league looks today. "It has been amazing to watch the growth of both soccer and the MLS in the US," he explained.
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Van Sicklen plays for D.C. United (Left)
and Canterbury United (Right)
"When I played, we would have 6,000 attendees at games. Today, the MLS can have higher attendance numbers than MLB or NBA games."
 The Badger then spent a season playing for Canterbury United in the now-defunct New Zealand Premiership. Van Sicklen enjoyed good playing time over there, and cherished his experience of getting to play the beautiful game overseas.
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"The biggest memories of my professional career were playing overseas and experiencing the passion for football. It is part of their culture."
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Officially retiring from soccer in 2007, Van Sicklen then turned to the world of work. Here, the former soccer star worked in digital sales, and with luxury brands.
"Transitioning from professional sports to a corporate 9-5'er is tough," says Van Sicklen.
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"Your identity changes overnight. However, starting and building a company has helped bring back the special parts of being on a team."
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It was bringing back parts of a team that led Van Sicklen to his current career. Together with former Badger teammate Matt Carroll, the Wisconsin alums formed North and Warren, a marketing business that works with other luxury brands.
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Van Sicklen's career was molded in the city of Madison, before jumping to different parts of the world. No matter where he was though, he always made the most of his situation and made the right decision's to get him where he is today. He was a model of consistency with the Badgers and someone who's connection with the city and people goes far beyond the game of soccer.
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