Princeton University Athletics
Princeton Pays Tribute To Longtime Supporter, Grounds Crew Specialist Elysee "Nicki" Nicolas
December 19, 2016 | Men's Volleyball, Women's Volleyball
If you've been to a Princeton volleyball match anytime over the last couple of decades, you've undoubtedly seen Elysee Nicholas — 'Nicki' to his friends, which is just about everybody.
A longtime member of the Princeton Grounds Crew, Nicholas has been a steady presence with both the men's and women's volleyball programs for generations. While his work inside Dillon Gym is invaluable, it is the support and kindness he has shared with both teams that has made the largest impact. The men's team repaid that friendship recently by coming to his aid during a moving process, a day that the team captured here.
Here are just a few of the sentiments that current and former members of @PrincetonVolley shared about Nicki.
"I met Elysee Nicholas in the summer of 2009, a few days after I was hired at Princeton. With a gentle handshake and a warm smile "Nick or Nicki" as we call him welcomed me into the Princeton Athletics family. I never felt so at home. For the past eight years Nicki has been a confidant to the men's and women's volleyball programs and staffs. Aside from tending to, and caring for, any and all of the facility work we ever need, Nicki plays a large emotional support role behind the scenes for all players and staff. He is there with a big hug after an exciting win and he is there with an arm around your shoulder after a difficult loss. You know the groundskeeper in the movie 'Rudy' who motivates and supports the protagonist? That could easily be a documentary on Elysee Nicholas. Since 1981 Nicki has been working to make Princeton Athletics better. The PrincetonVolley family could not be more grateful or appreciative of everything Elysee Nicholas has done and continues to do for all of us. Thank you Nick! We love you!
- Sam Shweisky – head coach, Men's Volleyball
Nicki has been a very special person for our Women's Volleyball program, but personally, he is one of my closest friends at Princeton. As a player, we always knew Nicki to be a constant presence in Dillon on game days, helping out with the facilities and doling out advice with a huge, genuine smile. However, when I returned to Princeton as a coach, I was able to see more clearly how many lives Nicki touched. All the athletes and staff in our men's and women's programs have a special relationship with him, and he has those relationships with several programs. Multiply that by the 35+ years he has been at Princeton, and you start to realize the scope of his reach. Good thing for us he is one of the wisest men on campus. He is a constant source of encouragement and support. We love you Nicki!
- Sabrina King – head coach, Women's Volleyball
"Nicki is PrincetonVolley's number one supporter, and his smiling face has always been a fixture in Dillon Gym. He is not only dedicated to his job, but he has a genuine interest in the players and their well-being. Having spent time with him and his family when they visited my in-laws in Laguna Beach a few years ago, I was able to see him outside of his "Princeton" element, and he was still the same smiling, friendly, and fun guy. More than an incredible staff member, he is part of the Princeton Volleyball family, and the program wouldn't be the same without him. I know the women and men's alumni share these sentiments, and he is so deserving of recognition and praise. Thank you Nicki, for everything you do!"
– Lauren Liljestrom '07
"I first met Nicki during my freshman year as the setter on the Men's Volleyball team 16 years ago, and it's a friendship that endures to this day. He was always hanging around the program and helping out, and he has an infectious personality and a constant smile on his face. He truly is "good people," and over the years hhe as gotten to know both of my younger brothers (also volleyball players) and my parents through their frequent trips back to Princeton. Nicki has also stayed at my parents' house in Laguna Beach on multiple occasions, and even brought his wife and daughter out on a memorable trip — both for his family, and ours! He works hard, and he also has a warm soul, a kind heart and a fun loving personality which always leaves me feeling better after having spent time with him. Nicki is one of those rare people in this day and age that would always open his home to you at any time, no matter the circumstances, and no questions asked - and I would absolutely do the same for him. Nicki is truly a special member of the Princeton staff and family, and I'm proud to call him my friend."
– Jason Liljestrom '04
A longtime member of the Princeton Grounds Crew, Nicholas has been a steady presence with both the men's and women's volleyball programs for generations. While his work inside Dillon Gym is invaluable, it is the support and kindness he has shared with both teams that has made the largest impact. The men's team repaid that friendship recently by coming to his aid during a moving process, a day that the team captured here.
Here are just a few of the sentiments that current and former members of @PrincetonVolley shared about Nicki.
"I met Elysee Nicholas in the summer of 2009, a few days after I was hired at Princeton. With a gentle handshake and a warm smile "Nick or Nicki" as we call him welcomed me into the Princeton Athletics family. I never felt so at home. For the past eight years Nicki has been a confidant to the men's and women's volleyball programs and staffs. Aside from tending to, and caring for, any and all of the facility work we ever need, Nicki plays a large emotional support role behind the scenes for all players and staff. He is there with a big hug after an exciting win and he is there with an arm around your shoulder after a difficult loss. You know the groundskeeper in the movie 'Rudy' who motivates and supports the protagonist? That could easily be a documentary on Elysee Nicholas. Since 1981 Nicki has been working to make Princeton Athletics better. The PrincetonVolley family could not be more grateful or appreciative of everything Elysee Nicholas has done and continues to do for all of us. Thank you Nick! We love you!
- Sam Shweisky – head coach, Men's Volleyball
Nicki has been a very special person for our Women's Volleyball program, but personally, he is one of my closest friends at Princeton. As a player, we always knew Nicki to be a constant presence in Dillon on game days, helping out with the facilities and doling out advice with a huge, genuine smile. However, when I returned to Princeton as a coach, I was able to see more clearly how many lives Nicki touched. All the athletes and staff in our men's and women's programs have a special relationship with him, and he has those relationships with several programs. Multiply that by the 35+ years he has been at Princeton, and you start to realize the scope of his reach. Good thing for us he is one of the wisest men on campus. He is a constant source of encouragement and support. We love you Nicki!
- Sabrina King – head coach, Women's Volleyball
"Nicki is PrincetonVolley's number one supporter, and his smiling face has always been a fixture in Dillon Gym. He is not only dedicated to his job, but he has a genuine interest in the players and their well-being. Having spent time with him and his family when they visited my in-laws in Laguna Beach a few years ago, I was able to see him outside of his "Princeton" element, and he was still the same smiling, friendly, and fun guy. More than an incredible staff member, he is part of the Princeton Volleyball family, and the program wouldn't be the same without him. I know the women and men's alumni share these sentiments, and he is so deserving of recognition and praise. Thank you Nicki, for everything you do!"
– Lauren Liljestrom '07
"I first met Nicki during my freshman year as the setter on the Men's Volleyball team 16 years ago, and it's a friendship that endures to this day. He was always hanging around the program and helping out, and he has an infectious personality and a constant smile on his face. He truly is "good people," and over the years hhe as gotten to know both of my younger brothers (also volleyball players) and my parents through their frequent trips back to Princeton. Nicki has also stayed at my parents' house in Laguna Beach on multiple occasions, and even brought his wife and daughter out on a memorable trip — both for his family, and ours! He works hard, and he also has a warm soul, a kind heart and a fun loving personality which always leaves me feeling better after having spent time with him. Nicki is one of those rare people in this day and age that would always open his home to you at any time, no matter the circumstances, and no questions asked - and I would absolutely do the same for him. Nicki is truly a special member of the Princeton staff and family, and I'm proud to call him my friend."
– Jason Liljestrom '04
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