Bice finds success on, off the field at Macalester
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ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Nick Bice was a raw prospect of sorts when he joined the Macalester College football program in the fall of 2020.
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Bice had shown flashes of potential as an athletic tight end in the Fort Dodge Senior High system. He'd always been smart -- the 2020 FDSH co-valedictorian was an academic all-state honoree -- but consistency on the field was still a work in progress, even after an all-district senior year with the Dodgers.
Bice quickly found his comfort zone with the Div. III Scots, putting together an impressive final three seasons in the program's pass-heavy system.
"I've become much more confident in myself and my football ability at Mac," said Bice, a three-time academic all-conference and all-district honoree with the Scots. "I had the opportunity to learn the system for a year during COVID, and it allowed me to play with complete confidence for my next three seasons.
"I think this confidence transferred to everything I do off the field, and I've seen real growth across the board. I've really matured as a person these last four years."
Bice followed in his brother's footsteps at Macalester. Johnny Bice -- statistically one of Fort Dodge's top quarterbacks in school history -- served as a co-captain with the Scots during his senior year in 2019, graduating right before Nick's collegiate journey began.
Nick became an impact receiver almost immediately with Mac. As a sophomore, he caught 25 passes for 382 yards and five touchdowns. The next fall, Bice took another step forward, with 39 receptions for 709 yards and a team-best 12 scores.
Bice put even more work into this past offseason in preparation for his final campaign on the gridiron.
"I really wanted to grow as a leader during my senior season," said Bice, the son of Jim and Donna Bice. "I worked on doing everything I could to make the team better and set an example for the future, and I think the team is in a strong spot to keep building these next few years.
"On the field, I wanted to be a playmaker and a guy that could be trusted with the game on the line. I was definitely more of a late bloomer in my football career, and it's been really fun to develop into the player I was at Mac."
Bice's senior year with the Scots was again steady and productive. He set new career highs for catches (49) and yards (885). In a 56-27 win on Sept. 9, Bice had a career-best 204 receiving yards and a pair of TDs.
"I'm more thankful than anything that I had the opportunity to play at Macalester," Bice said. "It's given me every chance to grow as a person and develop into who I am. It's set me up for life with some great relationships and new ways of thinking.
"I know I made the right choice in going to school here."
Bice has kept his academic priorities straight during his time in St. Paul as well. The biology (pre-med) major carries an overall grade point average of 3.80. Bice has applied to a number of medical schools, and is currently going through the interview process to determine his next destination.
"I'm really proud of everything I've accomplished academically at Mac, and I think it's set my future up for the path I want it to be on," Bice said. "Obviously, contributing 20 or 30 hours a week to football while navigating a full college course load isn't easy, but I've been able to find what works for me.
"Balancing academics and athletics is the key."
Bice hasn't ruled out the possibility of coming back home and serving as a doctor in the community once all is said and done with school.
"It's a long road ahead, but I'd love to return to Fort Dodge someday and practice medicine," Bice said. "I love everything about Fort Dodge and the people of it. I take the Dodger mentality with me in everything I do in life. I've completely embraced the underdog mindset of being a Dodger, and I think that mindset has the capability to carry you very far in life.
"Dodgers know that they have to work hard to earn what they want, whether it's on the field or in their career. This belief has helped me achieve everything I've accomplished at Mac."