Robby Nesvig

By Jake Grovum
UWRF Sports Information

For some athletes sports become a way of life and the love of competition leads them to accolades, friendships and memories.  

For Robby Nesvig sports and competition have been a part of his life as long as he can remember. Hailing from Gaylord, Minn., a town of roughly 2,000 people, Nesvig could always count on two things; athletics and motivation from his older brother and his three cousins who lived down the street.

However, despite the motivation he received from family members Nesvig's most cherished childhood memories were family reunions in northern Minnesota. "We'd just get together with all of the family, aunts, uncles, cousins, it was great," Nesvig said recalling times gone by. Family is also a big inspiration for Nesvig, and he idolizes his family in that regard. "When I was younger it probably would have been my cousins (Matt, Steve, Tim) and my brother (Eric), but now I'd say my Dad, he has his own business, and had a family," Nesvig said of who his idols are.

At Sibley East High School Nesvig was a three sport athlete. Competing in football, basketball, and baseball, he was a standout earning all-conference awards in football and basketball. On top of excelling in each of his sports individually, Nesvig also garnered the Athlete of the Year award while in high school, an award that is given to the top athlete overall that particular year. Nesvig said he had many fond memories of his football playing days in high school but singled out one particular game that happened to be his school's second playoff win ever as his favorite.  

Nesvig decided to attend school at UW-River Falls initially because of the recruitment letters and his desire to continue playing. However, Nesvig will admit that UWRF's excellent reputation for those seeking education careers played an important role in his decision.

However, Nesvig has since left the education program and changed his major to health and human performance. "Right now I'm going to be a personal trainer, but I don't want to do that forever," Nesvig said of his future. "I'm hoping to go back to school and get my business degree later, someday manage my own gym," Nesvig continued.  

Nesvig will be the first to tell you that he has gotten more from his time at UW-River Falls than simply playing football. Nesvig said that being an athlete at UW-River Falls teaches the value of hard work as well as how to have the right attitude. "We don't get the biggest, strongest, or fastest guys like some other places, we don't have the same athletes, so we have to work harder," Nesvig added.

Apart from the work ethic developed Nesvig also said that meeting everyone on the team has been one of the perks as well, especially since Nesvig is one of 13 seniors on this year's team. When asked what his most memorable moment of his career at UWRF would be he replied without a doubt last year's exciting 13-10 overtime win at Oshkosk that culminated with a game-winning field goal as well as the game that gave the Falcons their first WIAC victory last year. Nesvig remains positive for the future of this year's team despite their 1-4 (0-2) start. "5-2 has won the conference before, 4-3 has won the conference before, we just need to avoid any injuries," Nesvig said of the remainder of the season.

"Rob is always committed to working very hard," said Falcon Defensive Coordinator, Kevin Bullis. "He not only plays strong safety but he helps us with his play on several special teams units. He played free safety lass year but has made the smooth transition to strong safety. Rob is a team player and has made a great contribution in representing UWRF."

After five games this year he had nine solo and 19 total tackles. He's had one tackle for loss, a quarterback hurry and two pass break ups.

Nesvig is a model of motivation and a hard-worker all around. When asked what he thought was his inspiration that allowed him to make it this far competing athletically Nesvig replied youth sports and competition. "It makes you appreciate what sports can do for you at a young age, and my parents did everything they could to help me succeed."