CASTINE, Maine – Maine Maritime Academy's Sam Nichol (Concord, N.H.) has been named the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Man of the Year. Modeled after the NCAA Woman of the Year program, the NAC Man of the Year award honors graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers through academic achievement, athletic excellence, service, and leadership.

A Marine Systems Engineering major with dual minors in Mathematics and Naval Architecture, Nichol graduated with a 3.83 GPA, earning Dean's List honors every semester. He was a three-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection, contributed to Maine Maritime's 2024 USILA Team Academic Award, and was recognized as both the 2025 NAC Men's Lacrosse Senior Scholar-Athlete and Maine Maritime's Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

"Congratulations to Sam! Mariners Athletics loves seeing our leaders celebrated," said Director of Athletics Bill Mottola. "Sam has been a true inspiration to all the lucky people whose lives he touched. A leader academically, athletically, and in our community, the NAC Man of the Year is icing on the cake for a young man who leaves an indelible mark on Maine Maritime Academy and the NAC."

On the field, Nichol was a four-year starting midfielder and two-year team captain. In his senior campaign, he started all 16 games, recording 49 goals and nine assists for 58 points, helping guide the Mariners to their third NAC Championship in four years and a fourth overall title game appearance. Over the course of his career, Nichol was a three-time NAC First Team All-Conference selection (2023–2025), earned Second Team honors in 2022, and was twice named to the NAC All-Tournament Team. He was honored as the team's MVP in 2025, Offensive Player of the Year in 2024, and earned Maine Maritime's Male Leader of the Year distinction in both 2023–2024 and 2024–2025.

Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Brandon Melville praised Nichol's impact on the program, stating:
"Sam has represented the Anchor, Mariners Athletics, the lacrosse program, and Maine Maritime Academy with the utmost dignity and respect. A fierce competitor on the field and an even more exceptional teammate and peer off it, Sam consistently demonstrated a deep sense of pride and purpose. He devoted himself to lifting others, supporting his teammates in their academic and athletic journeys, and leading by example in every setting. His legacy within our lacrosse program and the Athletic Department is one of character, humility, and impact—extending far beyond championships and accolades. There is no one more deserving of the North Atlantic Conference Man of the Year honor than Sam."

Nichol leaves a lasting legacy in the Mariners' record books, ranking second all-time in career points (238), third in goals (163), fifth in assists (75), and second in man-up goals (29). His performance earned him selections to both the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) East-West Senior All-Star Game and the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Senior North-South All-Star Game.

Off the field, Nichol's commitment to service and mentorship was equally impressive. He dedicated hundreds of hours tutoring fellow students in math and physics, served as a teaching assistant in several engineering courses, and led frequent skill sessions to help his teammates grow. He was an active member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and gave back to the community by volunteering at Maine Maritime's Special Olympics Bocce Tournaments and participating in campus-wide cleanup efforts.

"Sam's work ethic, humility, and loyalty to his teammates make him deserving of this honor, and we are proud to call him a Mariner," said Tricia Carver, Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator. "Sam leaves a legacy we hope all Mariners strive to achieve."

Nichol becomes the fourth NAC Man of the Year in Maine Maritime history, and the third from the men's lacrosse program, joining an elite group that includes Nathan Granholm '20 (Lacrosse), Christopher Gilman '16 (Soccer), and Nicholas Betti '15 (Lacrosse).

View the full NAC release HERE.