1-on-1 with DP – 93.7 The Ticket KNTK - Nebraska tennis player Henry Bilicic joins the show: January 13th, 2026, 11:00am

Episode Date: January 13, 2026

Henry Bilicic joins the show to talk about upcoming matches for the Cornhuskers. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If weight management is one of your new year goals, Quicksilver Scientific's GLP1 amplifier can help. This science-backed formula supports metabolic balance, curbs cravings, and promotes healthy blood sugar levels, making it easier to stay consistent and in control. It helps give your body the boost it needs to keep you on track. Feel confident and energized this year with Quicksilver Scientific's GLP1 amplifier. Get 10% off and free shipping at tryqs.com slash podcast.

Again, that's tryqs.com slash podcast for 10% off and free shipping. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. One with DP. Coming at you live from the heart of Lincoln America, a 93-7-the-ticket and the ticketfm.com. Sponsored by the Downtown Lincoln Foundation. Here is your host, Derek Pearson. Oh, yeah, it's Tuesday. In the city, he's bad. he's back he's back he's bad he's bad hey bach it's Tuesday 1101 in the city 50 degrees thank you mother nature you sweet sexy woman you way to deliver way to deliver 50 degrees and it requires a Tuesday

boom oh i missed you guys DC was nice it was great but it's good to be back in Lincoln and I hope you missed me. And if you didn't, tough. Tough. Tough deal. Lots to talk about. 402, 464,

56685. The Sard of Hamon text line. You want to be a part of what we're doing? Hit us up. Got a lot to talk about the day, and we brought in a banger. So this will be a good one. All the video streams you can follow us.

Facebook, YouTube, X, Allo Channel 961, and the ticket app. Amazon Prime, if you're fancy. If you're fancy. some of you are so we understand that before we introduce our guest bach cuncer how the heck are you

I'm not too bad like you said a perfect yeah I thought walking over here like zero win it's just you know it might need a jacket but other than that what a day if there's be alive here in January and Lincoln Nebraska I'm loving it and the season evolves and we have lots to talk about we brought in this again full disclaimer I tell you all the first time we get to here. There's zero chance we can get to all the things we want to get to with them. And this young man is pretty interesting. So there's a lot to talk about. And there's zero chance we get to do it all today. But we're going to do our best in the hour. But first,

Bach, Gainzor, if you would please, pay the bills. Pay the bills. Yes, today's show is sponsored by Hamilton Telecommunications, bringing you the latest quality technology and communication services since 1901. Whether it's residential or business, Hamilton has the answers. Visit Hamilton tail.com for more info today. Thank you, kind sir. Greatly appreciate it. He is from a family of athletes, and he has made the journey.

His journey to Lincoln, Nebraska has been exceptional and a great ambassador for Nebraska athletics and specifically Nebraska tennis. And we will whisper about his loves and his journey. Henry, introduce yourself to our listeners. Well, first of all, guys, Thank you for having me on. Appreciate it.

It's an honor to be here. But yeah, I'm Henry Bolicic. I'm on the Nebraska men's tennis team. I'm a fifth year now in grad school. I'm originally from New York, but I kind of bounced all around. It's my third year here in Lincoln. I transferred from a small school called Trinity College

and Hartford, Connecticut. So, yeah, I've really enjoyed my time here in Nebraska, and we got a big season coming up. It is interesting that, and for folks, this is one you get on the stream. Henry, please tell the people how large of a human being you are. I'm 610. Paging Fred Hoyberg.

610. And you're a bowler. This could have easily have gone the other way with you wearing the Husker Hoops, jersey, right? Yeah, no, exactly. Basketball was like my favorite sport growing up. up. My entire family played it. I'm a diehard Knicks fan, actually. But yeah, you're right. I mean, I love that I still play, and I played throughout high school. So I thought on there, for sure.

It is that fork in the road that you get to when you're elite in several spaces and you have to make the choice. Exactly. Okay. I'm going to put you on the spot here. You only get five Nick players, all time. You only get five. Five all time. Yep. I mean, Patrick Ewing, for sure. I'm going, Walt Frazier. Okay. I'm going Carrella Anthony. Okay. Big Mellow guy. Okay. I honestly think you might have to put Brunson in there right now. He's, he's fighting his way in.

He's up there. I think he's going to bring a ring to town pretty soon. And then fifth one, honestly, up for debate. Kind of depends on which way you want to go, but probably Bernard King for me. See, that's how you know he's a dude. He went with the king. He went with the guy that would give you 50 on Christmas Day at the garb. He's not no fake fan. This is a real hooper.

This is a real hooper. Outta boy, Henry. Let's go. I love it. I was worried about you for a minute. I was worried about you for a minute. I was like, bye,

he's going to miss the layout. No way. No way. I saved him last too. Oh, man. Oh, I love it. You're also a football guy. Yeah.

You know, it's therapy here. You're in a safe. place. Yeah, it's, uh, yeah, for everybody that doesn't know, I'm a Jets fan. It's, uh, it's been tough times, but a bit, a big draft coming up. It always is. Always is for us. Hey, Bob, who does he sound like? Sounds like me as a Cardinals fan. You get it, then. You get it. Yeah. Right. We just talk about, we go, oh my goodness gracious, it is, it is spectacular. Um, your story is so unique in several different ways and we'll try to, uh, a bit, uh,

and fold some of this into the conversation over the next hour. It's pretty interesting to me. But where we come from and who we come from matters. It shows up. So let's talk about this family of yours because, again, you know, without them, you don't get here. And a lot of in the connection is what makes you who you are. Tell folks about your family. Yeah, that's a, yeah, it's a great question.

I mean, my family is, it's kind of unique. Like I, like we were talking about before, kind of grown up all over the country. But yeah, I have three brothers. So I kind of grew up in that sports household. We were always playing pickup and stuff in the driveway. They're very supportive family. And it's kind of interesting. I mean, we all went to a military school for high school, it was a boarding school called Culver Academy. That's kind of always been a family tradition of mine. And all three, all four of us actually went there. My younger brother just graduated there this past spring. But yeah, I mean, like I said, we all grew up playing basketball, but we kind of all had

unique different paths in life now one of my brothers is a lawyer in new york city he's got a big case coming up and my other brother works in dc um he was working uh yeah he's gotten you know they they both went on different paths and then my littlest brother is is taking a gap here hoping to play college tennis but like you said like my older brother the one in new york kind of set the tone for us he was a big basketball player and made this jump to tennis and i was probably around 16 and i honestly didn't know much about the sport at all and uh like we were saying i was a big of basketball basketball player and he started playing all these tournaments and I started going to him and I was like wow this is this is unbelievable and um yeah my parents really supportive of us my mom actually started a

school for kids with autism in New York um and my dad's an investment banker so a ton of different you know career past my entire family but yeah I mean they're the best and they're really supportive and they love Nebraska too they love coming out here so it it's fascinating the fork in the route, right? If, and basketball hooks people in a different sort of way. It's hard to break up with basketball, especially when you're playing it and you enjoy it as much as you did. How did you make the decision that it was going to be tennis over basketball? Yeah, I mean, that's honestly a great question. I would say I probably made the decision around my junior year of high school, which is really late for tennis especially. A lot of kids, you know, grow up playing all these tournaments.

And for me, it was like we said, like we were talking about, I love basketball. It's, you know, like you said, I fell in love with it. But yeah, I just felt like with tennis, I had the more competitive edge towards tennis. And I felt really interested in kind of the college tennis route. Because when I saw my brother play, he played in my old school. And I kind of saw the environment. And I was like, wow, this is really intense and really cool.

Not that basketball isn't. It was just kind of a unique thing for me that I had an experience. And I kind of always had the interest in it. Like I was watching professionals tennis. But for me, I just kind of like was really open to, where I could go in tennis, and I just really just started enjoying it and how was set up, honestly. Most people in today's era of Transfer Porter NIL and those conversations, they have this image of what being mobile, upwardly mobile in student at college athletics,

what it's all about. And they think of it as greed and they think of it as just money-based. But you have to, I say this, it doesn't matter about that. stuff if you don't love it. If you don't love, if you don't love the sports you play, it's too much. It's too much. And you started at Trinity. How many people, guess them? How many people do you think attend Trinity? I think it's like a little above 2000, I would say. Right. Maybe like around there, I would say, if I had to guess. Different world. Yeah. And Division 3. 100% than at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. What are some of the differences? Yeah, I mean, honestly, like I saw, I spent three years at Trinity. My first year was COVID, so we didn't have a season. I mean, it's very different.

I would say, like, the pressure here is a lot more, you know, that comes with playing in the Big Ten, which is what I wanted, which is part of the reason why I came here. And also, like, yeah, like the overall schedule is a lot more intense here. You have a lot more matches. You're traveling more. But yeah, in D3-2, it's, you know, it's still a very intense season, but it's just a lot shorter. Like the first match is usually a March 1st, I would say, compared to here, you know, our first matches in a couple days. Yeah. So I'd say that's a big difference for sure.

And then, yeah, like we were talking about, I mean, here it's your full-time job. I mean, in the summer you've got to put in all the extra work. Not that Division III isn't like that. It's just a little more, it's a little more balanced in that way. So, yeah, I would say that was the biggest difference that I noticed was kind of the intensity of the schedule and kind of the overall level. But, yeah, I mean, I really enjoyed my time at Trinity. And in a lot of ways, I think if I didn't go there, I wouldn't have been put in a position to come here and have the success that I've had. and been a part of this team.

I don't, I feel like Trinity really set me up to come. It's, and again, I apologize because there's so many different ways, things that I want to talk to you about, so many different ways to go. But go back to go forward because Culver Academy, Bach, I don't know if you're familiar with Culver Academy, but when you talk about across the nation, and I'm a D.C. kid, so I understand the military side of it

and which academies kind of elevate people and change their location in life. But Culver Academy is one of the academies in America. Its alumni list is crazy. You're talking about owners of pro sports teams in every league. Oscar award winning actors and actresses, current professional athletes all over the place. explain the folks Culver Academy for those that are unfamiliar. Yeah, I mean, you said it best.

It's really hard to honestly explain. And to be honest, when I got there, I think I was 13 and I didn't know what was going on. I did not know what I was walking into. I had been there. Like I said, it was a big family tradition of mine, but I really didn't know how special the place is. And like I mentioned earlier, so it's a military school for the boys. And so when you get there, your first year, kind of building your way through it. And, you know, it's unique because it's really a student.

run school. The military system itself is is run by the students. So there's people who are a couple years older than you and they're teaching you little things like how to shave, you know, how to make your bed the right way, how to fold your clothes, all these different little things. And you're leaving home when you're 13. And so you're really trusting in this system. And it really changed me as a person, for sure. I mean, the way the schools run is really unbelievable. And essentially like after 7 p.m., it's really up to the seniors and the higher leaders in the military program. make sure everybody's on time where they need to be, make sure that everybody's going to be up on time, make sure their schoolwork's done.

So it's really, it's very unique in that way. And like you said, the athletics part of it is a whole different, you know, type of beats that a lot of people don't know about. You know, they have one of the best hockey programs in the country along with lacrosse. And for me as an athlete, that's where I feel like I kind of established myself. And I kind of saw the way, like how to work. Because I was surrounded by professional athletes. give an example, one of my friends, Mason Lurye,

who I went to, we went to high school together, he's on the Bruins now. And one of my best friends, his name's Trey Galloway, he's on the G-League for the Warriors, and he played in Indiana. So I was just surrounded around all these athletes, and there's countless different guys have been the NFL, NHL.

And I saw, you know, how they worked each day, day and day out, not only in athletics, but also in school, how they were taking care of their schoolwork. And these guys were also the not only leaders on the court, but off the court in terms of the military system. So that's one thing that was really amazing for me that I didn't really see coming. And honestly, it really sparked my passion for sports there just because, like I was saying, like being around those guys.

And for me, it really taught me, I feel like it's helped me a lot, especially here, like how to lead, especially with the military system, like you first learn how to follow and you look up to the older guys. And then all of a sudden it's your turn, right? Like in my junior year, I got this position. It's called First Sergeant. And for those who aren't familiar, it's essentially like my job is to make sure that everybody is a wake on time. And I check everybody off. I'm attending.

I'm making sure that everybody's where they need to be. You know, I was 16 at the time. So for me, that was amazing. I just found different ways that I felt like I could lead. And ultimately, it's helped me in life, most importantly, and also here as part of the Nebraska tennis team. I think people get some idea about the heart and makeup of tennis players. But you shake every tendency because, I mean, we can name three six-foot-10 tennis players. It's a short list.

So for you to expand the game and then to bring it to Lincoln, Nebraska, and you happen to have found a six-foot-six, six-foot-seven coach, right, who can help you identify with playing this big 10 level of men's tennis at your height. What advantages does that provide? Yeah, I mean, you know, I always joke around with Pete that I'm taller than I'm, first of all. So I just got to get that in there. You're the only person. Like, there's like eight people on campus who can say that to him.

Yeah, yeah. And next time you see him, make sure you ask him about our one-on-one basketball game in spring break. Nice. There's some photos of it, too. I'll have to show you after. Yes, sir. But, but, but yeah, no, Pete's been amazing for me. And that's honestly one of the main reasons why I came here.

You know, I met him. I think it must have been summer of 22 we met. and the way he was talking to me and kind of, I could just tell he believed in me, most importantly. And it wasn't like I was a high recruit or anything, like I said, I came from a Division III school. And he's helped me so much just by the way I can think about the game.

You know, because obviously all the taller guys, they want to have a bigger serve. But he, you know, he helps me. He's like, okay, here's the serve, but what are you going to do after, right? Like, how are you going to construct a point to basically, like, matching your skills the best? And, you know, he's changed my serve completely.

my serve's gotten significantly bigger here. Like I would say I've added like 15 miles an hour, at least on it. And he's changed my motion. And like I said, just the mentality piece too, he's brought a lot to my game. By the way, he's like, you know, he's told me before, you know, you're tall, but you're still going to have to run and do all these things. And he was like, you need to take pride in that and really find different ways to win. And like I said, he preaches this to a lot to our team.

But the overall edge, I think he's helped me a lot with the intensity in my game and competing, competing better, right? Fighting to the last point. So, yeah, he's helped me so much, honestly. He's transformed me as a player and also as a person, honestly. So I can't say enough about him. When people talk about NIL and Transfer Portal,

and they're like, oh, there's a faction of the fan base. Ah, just running sports. But I think they missed the Henry stories in that Nebraska took monumental steps forward and up by adding you to the program, what you bring from Culver Academy and a family of athletes that, and the leadership and the discipline and all the things that are required will change and impact this tennis program and the athletic department in full. Are you aware?

And is that constantly in your head that, you know what? I have to be the new standard and I've got to work harder. Yeah, I mean, for sure. I like what you said about the transfer portal. because like you said, there's a lot of negativity around it. And in my recruiting class, we brought in, well, there's four guys in total, and there was three transfers, including myself. And I really feel like that all of us really played a part in helping transform the culture.

And, you know, that's where the portal, like you said, like you don't hear a lot of the positive stories about it. But one of my old teammates, Anton Shep, came from a smaller school. And, you know, he's playing professional tennis now. Winning, winning. Exactly, winning. Just played a massive tournament back home. So I think that's another example, too. You know, that's one of my closest friends now, too.

And another transfer who came with me is Nico. You know, he's transformed his game too. I mean, he came in our first year and was in now the lineup, and now he's, you know, one of our best players. So, but ultimately, like you said, to the culture piece, I think it plays a massive part in it. And for me as well, coming in, I kind of felt like, just like you said, from my experience at Culver and Trinity

that I could help bring the team together. So that was kind of one of my main goals. and I felt like, even though I was newer, I was older, and I felt like a lot of the guys were going to look to me, and I personally feel like that each and every day I'm trying to set the standard. And obviously, everybody, you know, has some tough practices. But I always feel like, at least like with the leadership style and the way I'm working, I always want to be, especially for the younger guys, guys that you look up to. It's in my opinion, that's when you start building, you know, those seasons, you start stacking those seasons. It's when, you know, you have your

oldest guys and they're working the hardest and, you know, they're coming in getting extra reps and also in their locker room, you know, they're speaking up. And a lot of times, honestly, as a leader, like, you know, I mean, you've got to have tough conversations. That's one thing I learned here, too, that's part of it as well. So, yeah, like you said, I think for us, especially for the Nebraska tennis team, the portal's been great for us. Yeah, it's through it all, right?

Because you... If weight management is one of your New Year goals, Quick Silver Scientific's GLP1 amplifier can help. This science-backed formula supports metabolic balance, curbs cravings, and promotes healthy blood sugar levels, making it easier to stay consistent and in control. It helps give your body the boost it needs to keep you on track. Feel confident and energized this year with Quicksilver Scientific's GLP1 amplifier. Get 10% off and free shipping at tryqs.com slash podcast. Again, that's tryqs.com slash podcast for 10% off and free shipping.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. tennis is considered an Olympic sport in that space and not in the revenue space. It's a great game day for those that haven't gone down to the Dillon Tennis Center and watch matches down there. And you'll have the opportunities. As a matter of fact, twice this weekend, three times this weekend. And then the women are starting this weekend as well. So, you know, for families, if you're a Husker sports fan, it's a great weekend to find your way down the Dillon Tennis Center to watch some tennis.

I was stunned, quite frankly, at the first, my first match, because the energy, I think of tennis as being very reserved, conserved. But no, you guys have juice in the building when you play. Describe to folks what it would be like if they have not attended Nebraska tennis at Dillard. Yeah, it's a great point. And like I was saying earlier, that's one of the things that surprised me about tennis when I was younger. It's, you know, you watch pro tennis and it's great, great level, but it's not, you know, the fans aren't as into it. And then you get to college tennis and it's, it's so loud in there. And all the, you know, all the fans are going crazy.

We're trying to hype up the crowd. And like you said, I mean, some of the biggest matches last year, I honestly feel like we won because of the crowd. Like against the USC, the doubles point, the crowd was amazing. And, you know, you can really interact with the players and you can affect it a lot more than at some of these big stadiums. Like you said, for us, we're always, you know, firing it up. Like, a lot of times guys will scream, let's go or come on, something like that. And it's just so different than what people expect. And in my opinion, it's one of the most like slept on sports in college by far.

Because once you get there, it's just, like you were saying, it's, it's really hard to describe how different it is and what people think. You know, a lot of people think it's going to be quiet and it's not going to be intense. But, you know, our own coaches are firing up. We're talking to each other between the courts, yelling across the courts to each other. And it's a blast, honestly. And it's even, you know, it's a blast to play. And in my first year, I redshirted it and I was, so I was on the sideline for the year. And I loved it too.

And I was just, you know, there and cheering on the guys. And it's really unbelievable. And our version of, let's just say in basketball, a game winner is a clinch, which, which I would say, one of our biggest ones was against USC and also Michigan. but you know it's it's essentially like after four hours of all these different guys battling competing it comes down to one singular point like one one you know 22nd point wherever it is and it's really amazing to see and and that's that's what makes it so unique it's a team sport and and it's just as exciting as every sport honestly I think it's more just because of how exciting it is

and the intensity it was insane yeah it was great um and then again when he got down the final a final match points where it could be clenched. I found I had to hold myself a little bit because I was in the space. Coach Cobalt talks often that a big part of Nebraska tennis is the academic factor and that he recruits smart student athletes. Congratulations to you in full leadership because you're not just part-time leading just when it's when it's about tennis. an academic all-American says that it has value, it has meaning you put your money where

your mouth was. Well done. Thank you. I appreciate it. Where does that come from? Yeah. I mean, I think, like, I would say for me, I'll take it right back to Culver. I really think how you do one thing is how you do everything.

And really, like everything, everything's going to add up, right? Like, let's say I come to practice and I have a paper due that's late and I hadn't, you know, done the time. but I needed to get it done. And it's hanging over my head. It's going to affect everything. So I think that's the case for, honestly, all the guys. I think all the guys do great academically. Yeah, we really pride ourselves on being the full student athlete all around, honestly.

But yeah, like you said, I think it comes down to time management. And it's something that I learned when I was young, and I've just tried to stick with it. But, yeah, it's really great accomplishment for our entire team. We've won the team academic award a few times since I've been here. So yeah, it's really great. So, but yeah, thank you. I appreciate it. Henry, we're going to go to our first break.

I do want to go to the text line. One of the Texas texted and said, can we have this athlete? Go talk to the football team. This guy has it. So it lands. And I thought when when Peter said, hey, Henry's coming. I got excited because I knew that we could change the way people talk about athletics. And we could change the way people think about student athletes.

because there are some exceptional ambassadors, not only for their families in the hometowns, but now for the University of Nebraska. And when people talk about athletes at the University of Nebraska, if you're not thinking of Henry, you're missing. You're missing it. So we're going to take a break. When we come back, he's a Hooper.

We're going to talk about Husker basketball and from his vision, what he sees. It has got to be insane to be a part of the athletic department student body to have a 16-0-20-win street, Husker basketball team Henry. We'll talk about it when we come back to one-on-one. Download our app by searching 93.7, the ticket in your app store. You're listening to One-on-One with DP on 93-7 the Ticket and the Ticketfm.com.