The football journey has officially come to an end for Nick Apsey as he played his last collegiate football game for Central Michigan University Chippewas (5-7) against Toledo at the end of November.
“It’s not how we really wanted to end the season ... There’s still a lot to take away this year,” Apsey said. “I enjoyed my career here, fortunate to go to a couple bowl games in my career ... A lot of highlights to take away from my career.”
Apsey, a 2018 Glen Lake graduate, led the Lakers to a 7-3 overall record and a playoff appearance while playing running back and outside linebacker throughout his high school career.
Apsey chose Central Michigan because of his brother, Trevor, who played linebacker for the Chippewas from 2014 to 2018. With a little intervention by Trevor, Nick was pushed to walk-on for the Chippewas after not having any offers coming out of high school.
“Trevor was like ‘pack your bags and head down, you can stay at my place,” Apsey said. “The rest is history.”
It wasn’t easy for Nick as he walked-on the football team and eventually earned a scholarship for his efforts. Along with a scholarship, Apsey started at linebacker for the last two years.
“I’m proud to see where I came from and how it ended up,” he said. “Without my brother, I honestly don’t think I’d really be here, so I’m really thankful for him. He’s always pushed me and tried to do good things in my life.”
Apsey's last weeks of college football were bittersweet and he admits it really hasn’t hit him yet. He doesn’t have a particular game as a favorite moment, instead Apsey enjoyed the grind throughout the offseason, and the bond he created with his teammates.
“You’ll just never have it again in your life,” he said. “(Football) teaches you so much about life in general. I will miss (the grind) more than playing games. Playing games is obviously the best part, but everything leading up to that is really what’s special. That’s where all the work happens and all of the meaningful moments.”
Apsey will be heading back home to Empire after graduation to work with his dad, Ron Bishop, who is a contractor that builds storage units.
Wherever Apsey goes in life, he will take with him the important lesson of never doubting oneself.
“Whatever your goals are in life. If you chase them and really put in the work, you never know what can happen,” he said.
Apsey red-shirted his first season at CMU, before appearing in eight games in 2019. He played in all six games and recorded three tackles in 2020, and appeared in 10 games with one tackle in 2021.
In 2022, Apsey saw action in nine games as a linebacker and on special teams. Apsey made 18 total tackles, with three for loss, a pass breakup, force fumble, fumble recovery and a blocked kick. Apsey broke up a pass and blocked a point after attempt at Penn State during his junior season.
In his senior season, Apsey had 17 tackles with his biggest impact happening against Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ball State, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan.
“I want to thank (my family, friends, and coaches) for their constant support. They have never given up on me and they have always pushed me and encouraged me at times when I really needed it,” Apsey said. “I think that’s what family is really all about is to be there for you when you need it the most. My teammates have always done that and never turned their back on me and I won’t do that to them either.”
