Nicholas Grinde
NCAA Division I – Cal State Northridge
California
From: Stavanger, Norway
Athletic Scholarship – NCAA Division I (Big West)
The Journey
Nicholas Grinde's story at Cal State Northridge is one of perseverance, family, and international reach – a Norwegian forward raised in Stavanger, Norway who competed in the Big West Conference of NCAA Division I, alongside his younger brother Yannick Grinde (also an Upper 90 recruit), creating one of the great international sibling stories in US college soccer. Born and raised in Stavanger, Norway, Nicholas connected with Upper 90 College founder John Stevanja, who placed both brothers at CSUN – demonstrating the program's ability to support talented players from anywhere in the world who are looking for the US college soccer pathway. As a sophomore in 2016, Nicholas made an instant impact, scoring the game-winning goal in CSUN's season opener against Tulsa. It was a statement performance that set the tone for his collegiate career. He was named team subject of the week for his early-season contributions and went on to appear across three seasons for the Matadors in the Big West Conference. In his redshirt senior year (2018), Nicholas appeared in 17 matches, making two starts, and contributed meaningfully to a CSUN program that regularly competed against ranked opponents in one of the most competitive D1 conferences on the West Coast.
Challenges Overcome
As a Norwegian forward raised in Stavanger competing in the Big West Conference – one of the most physically demanding and competitive in NCAA D1 – Nicholas had to prove himself in a deeply talented pool of players. Making the transition from Norway to the US college system was a major adjustment, but he and his brother ultimately thrived on the biggest D1 stage.
Achievements
NCAA Division I student-athlete at Cal State Northridge (Big West Conference). Game-winning goal in season opener vs. Tulsa (2016). 3 seasons of D1 competition in the Big West. Part of the unique Grinde brothers sibling story at CSUN – both Upper 90 College recruits.
"Playing D1 soccer with my brother at the same university was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Upper 90 made it possible for both of us – regardless of where we came from."
— Nicholas Grinde
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