Nick Lucena is Phil Dalhausser’s partner at the 2016 Rio Olympics. (Getty)
Nick Lucena, 36, is Phil Dalhausser’s partner at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. While seeing Dalhausser without Todd Rogers, who Dalhausser played with in the previous two Olympics, might be a shock to anyone not following beach volleyball since the 2012 games, the two have been playing together again since 2015. In 2003, Dalhausser made his Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) debut with Lucena as his teammate.
Here’s a look at Lucena’s life and career.
1. Dalhausser & Lucena Were Roommates in South Carolina & Worked as Substitute Teachers
Nick Lucena in June. (Getty)
Lucena, who now lives in Tallahassee and Dalhaausser both grew up in Florida. Lucena was born in the Fort Lauderdale area and attended Florida State, where he got a degree in Sport Management in 2003. Although they hung out together, it wasn’t until they moved to South Carolina together that they became friends. They even roomed together.
“We never really hung out socially, I guess, until we moved up to South Carolina together,” Dulhausser told the Los Angeles Times. “We spent every single minute together because we lived together, practiced together.”
The two also worked as substitute teachers at the start of their pro careers. Lucena also introduced Dulhausser to Jennifer Corral, who became Dulhausser’s wife.
2. They Have Three More Tournaments Scheduled After Rio
Nick Lucena at the FIVB Cincinnati Open in May. (Getty)
The moment the Olympics are over, Dulhausser and Lucena won’t have much of an opportunity to celebrate if they win a medal. That’s because they have to get back to work and compete in three tournaments. There is no prize money for winning the Olympics, Lucena reminded the Sun-Sentinel, and in beach volleyball, you have to win the tournaments that pay too.
According to Lucena’s Beach Volleyball Info profile, he’s won $950,253 in his entire career, which began back in 2001. He made his pro debut in Clearwater, Florida with Jason Aucoin on the BVA Tour. Aucoin didn’t play in another event and Lucena didn’t play in 2002. He returned in 2003 with Dalhausser as his partner.
Lucena’s accolades include USAV Men’s Beach Volleyball Player of the Year 2015, USAV Beach Team of the Year 2015 with Dalhausser, AVP Best Defensive Player 2014, AVP Most Improved Player 2008 and AVP Best Defensive Player (Defender) 2008.
3. Lucena Tried to Make it to 2012 London Olympics With Matt Fuerbringer
Matt Fuebringer and Nick Lucena. (Getty)
Lucena had a shot to make it to the 2012 London Olympic Games, when he was playing with Matt Fuerbringer, but the two did not qualify. Fuerbringer is now on the Team USA volleyball staff as a assistant coach for the indoor team.
With Dalhausser though, Lucena is expected to compete for the gold medal. In a Volleyball Mag interview, Lucena said they are trying to view the Olympics as just another tournament. He said:
We’ve been having some good results, and the Olympics will be just another tournament. We’ll try and play well and be consistent, but there are about 15 teams that could win the tournament. This is the toughest competition I’ve seen my whole career.
4. Lucena’s Wife Brooke Niles Once Offered to Get a Tattoo With a Sponsor Through a Social Media Auction
Brooke Niles and their son, Gunnar. (Instagram)
Lucena’s wife is former pro beach volleyball player Brooke Niles, who also went by Brooke Hanson. She is currently the head coach for the Florida State Seminoles beach volleyball team.
During her career though, she gained notoriety in 2012 for holding a social media auction, where brands were allowed to bid for the right to have their logo tattooed on her body. “I do not currently have a single tattoo, so this was my pledge to a potential brand partner how serious I am with my commitment to training and dedication to reaching our goals together,” Niles said in a press release at the time.
Lucena isn’t above teaming with sponsors either. In July 2016, Lucena and Dalhausser signed up with 66 Audio to promote their headphones.
5. Lucena & Niles Have a Two-Year-Old Son Named Gunnar
Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena. (Getty)
Lucena and Niles are the proud parents of Gunnar, who is now two. In an interview with the AVP website, Lucena said that his family is the “best thing that has ever happened to me.”
“As for being a father, I’m learning as I go,” Lucena continued. “So far I have learned to do whatever Brooke tells me to do; She’s the boss and we both know it. But it has been life changing. It’s not about me anymore, it’s all about Gunnar and Brooke, and I actually like it that way.”
“I think most people would be shocked at how easy-going and personable Nick is off the court. When he plays, he’s incredibly intense and can come off like a bit of a lunatic,” Ryan Doherty, who was Lucena’s partner in 2014, told AVP. “But that is just how he plays, and he’s really laid back and charismatic in the rest of his life. Also, he makes a throat-clearing noise that sounds like a toad’s mating call.”
In a Los Angeles Daily News interview, Dalhausser also described Lucena as “fiery” and as a player who can help him get fired up on the court.