Nick Sun's Rise To The Next Level

SEATTLE- Long before he was working on the sidelines of a major college football team, Nick Sun was a kid drawn to the game of football. Today, he works behind the scenes as a football equipment manager for the University of Washington, helping keep one of the nation’s top programs running smoothly. But the path that led him to his career was influenced a lot by his time at O’Dea High School.

Before joining the University of Washington as a football equipment manager, Sun’s love for football began at home with his family. His family first introduced him to the game but it was O’Dea High School that shaped his values, work ethic, and mindset. At O’Dea it helped strengthen his passion for football and also taught him lessons that would help him throughout his life and career. 

“O’Dea really builds and molds young men to prepare for the real world,” Sun said.

He also talks about how the school’s three pillars- character, faith, and service- taught him lessons that spread far beyond the classroom or the football field. These principles gave him the tools to communicate better with others, how to work hard without expecting recognition, and embracing challenges with confidence. For Sun this foundation became the key to his approach to life and work, guiding him as he transitioned to college football and the responsibilities that come with managing equipment at the collegiate level.

Sun goes deeper into the three pillars of O’Dea and talks about how faith played a central role in his growth.

“O’Dea helped me find my faith,” he explained.

Though he was not Catholic the school encouraged him to explore his beliefs and ask questions, building a strong personal foundation that helped him stay focus and bounce back from challenges.

Service another key pillar that also shaped his career path.

“I discovered what I wanted to do in life, which is serving others,” Sun said.

He uses this pillar and lesson of service daily, supporting coaches, players, and staff as an equipment manager while staying connected to the sport he loves.

The school also applied a strong work ethic and perseverance.

Sun said, “O’Dea really challenged me to step out of my comfort zone. Nothing comes easy. You have to work hard to get to where you want to be”.

That mindset prepared him for the long hours, attention to detail, and the pressure that comes with managing football equipment at the college level.

O’Dea’s influence extended beyond skill-building, it shaped Sun’s outlook on purpose and ambition.

“O’Dea molded my professional outlook and taught me to embrace challenges” he said.

The lessons in character, faith, and service gave him a understanding about his career direction, showing him that his passion for football and his desire to help others could be a reality. Today, those same principles guide him as he supports his hometown team, making sure that every coach, player, and staff member has the equipment and resources they need to succeed.

For Sun, O’Dea High School was more than a place to play football, it was where his passion, values, and professional mindset began. The school provided him with the foundation to turn a childhood interest into a dream career.

Here is the interview Sun's video interview