“So, are you going to commit or what?” Coach Dave Doren asked as we sat at Fatty’s, a local bar and NIU campus staple. I didn’t fully understand the recruiting process, and without any other offers, I hesitantly said yes. As I drove back to Culver Military Academy, I had no idea how much that decision would change my life.
When I first got recruited by NIU, I was excited. Anytime you’re being recruited, it feels like all your hard work is finally paying off, and I was just looking for one thing, to get my school paid for. But honestly, I didn’t know much about what the college football experience would really entail. I thought it would be seasonal, like high school football. So when I first arrived and found out we had 4 AM workouts in the middle of winter, my mind was blown. That’s when I realized college football was a year-round commitment, and I had a lot to learn.
During my visit, I was hosted by future Heisman candidate and friend Jordan Lynch. It was spring ball, and we didn’t do much except play Mario Kart with his roommates and grab food. Jordan was honest with me: “There isn’t much to do here except play football and win games.” That was fine with me, I’ve never liked losing, and everything I heard about NIU told me they were going to be competitive.
When I first stepped onto the NIU campus, Jordan wasn’t wrong, there really wasn’t much out here except cornfields and football. I was a bit overwhelmed at first. It felt like I had just graduated from Culver, packed up my mom’s car, and before I knew it, I was on my way to NIU to start a whole new chapter. I’d barely been out of high school for a week, and suddenly I was heading straight into summer classes and workouts with the team.
What reassured me that I was in the right place, though, was how quickly I bonded with my freshman teammates. We spent so much time together and became really close, fast. Some of those guys went on to be groomsmen at my wedding, brothers for life.
One of the biggest challenges I faced transitioning from military school to NIU was the sudden freedom. At Culver, everything was structured, my schedule, my day-to-day responsibilities, everything was mapped out for me. But at NIU, I had more freedom than I’d ever experienced, and it was up to me to make sure I stayed eligible for the football season. As a natural procrastinator, I quickly realized that I needed to adjust my habits during my freshman year.
Meeting Courtney Stephen made a big difference during this transition. We often talked about home and the foods we missed from back in Canada. He became a close friend and one of the smartest people I’ve been around, truly representing what it means to be “more than an athlete.” His brother Patrick was also an NIU alum, which made having that Canadian connection in a place so far from home feel extra special. My first day of summer camp as a freshman at NIU was when I truly learned what "The Hard Way" meant. I had the least amount of football experience out of anyone on the field. All the seniors were hurt, and the freshman wide receivers had to step in and take the majority of the reps. One of my first matchups was against future 8-year NFL cornerback Rashaan Melvin. He jammed me off the line so hard, I ended up out of bounds. At that moment, I realized I had two options: transfer and pursue JUCO basketball or find a way to get better. I chose the latter.
A big part of that transformation came my sophomore year under Coach Frisman Jackson. Coach Fris was the first coach I encountered who really led with empathy. Don’t get me wrong, he was tough, he knew how to push you, but he believed in me, and I needed that at the time. Sometimes I’d wonder why he was so hard on me, but looking back, it was exactly what I needed. He helped me build confidence in my game, and after one season with him, I was playing at a whole different level. I would have run through a wall for Coach Fris.
When I first dealt with depression and anxiety at NIU, I didn’t even realize what was happening. I just knew I wanted to avoid anything football-related. The thought of practice or film sessions the next day kept me up at night. Things got worse after I tore my knee and spent two months on crutches. As an athlete, you’re so used to being active, and when that’s taken away, it really weighs on you mentally. At the time, I was heading into my senior year with dreams of playing in the NFL, but after my knee surgery, I knew my body wouldn’t feel the same. I didn’t know how the season would turn out, and that uncertainty fueled my anxiety.
On days when it all felt like too much, I’d call my parents or my great-grandmother. She would always pray for me during tough times, and when she passed away that same year, it shook my world. Mourning her loss was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but through it all, I leaned heavily on my faith and the amazing support system I’d built.
Looking back, my time at NIU prepared me for more than just football, it shaped the way I approach life. The "Hard Way" mentality wasn’t just about pushing through on the field, it was about facing life’s challenges head-on, no matter how tough things got. The lessons I learned at NIU, resilience, discipline, and the value of hard work, have stayed with me long after my playing days were over. Whether it was overcoming injuries, dealing with anxiety, or navigating life after football, the mentality I developed at NIU helped me adapt. It taught me that no matter what life throws at you, if you’re willing to put in the work and rely on the people around you, you can get through anything.
Today, I still carry that same grit and determination into everything I do, whether in business or personal life. NIU was more than just a place where I played football, it was where I learned how to persevere, grow, and build relationships that would last a lifetime.
To all the current and future Huskies: enjoy your time, because it goes by fast. I’m smiling as I write this because a former alum once told me the same thing, and I rolled my eyes. But now, 10 years later, I get it. Cherish the brotherhood you’ve built. There’s nothing quite like a football locker room, and some of you may never experience it again. Above all, take the lessons you’ve learned at NIU and apply them to your life. With the mindset and discipline you’ve gained, you can achieve anything. The real world isn’t as intimidating when you approach it with the same intensity you brought to the field.
Thank you to the team for making us alumni proud. We’re cheering you on and can’t wait to see you in Detroit.
Sincerely,
A Kid from Canada,
Juwan Brescacin
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