410 Forum — Sports
UNC Student Brings Snowboarding Club, Shop To Greeley
By Paige Mackenzie
At first glance he might seem like a typical college student – worn-out jeans, a Pepsi in his hand, and a purple beanie covering his disheveled hair. Take a closer look, though, and there’s definitely something special about him. Something about the way his eyes sparkle when he’s excited, or the unusual amount of wisdom and confidence he seems to have at 20, or maybe it’s just the fact that he’s so down to earth after everything he’s accomplished.
Nate Giska is a student, a snowboarder, an entrepreneur and the president/founder of one of the most active clubs on campus.
Nate always had a passion for snowboarding, even growing up in Indiana. Far away from the Rocky Mountains, he first learned to snowboard as a sixth-grader in a park near his parent’s house with one small man-made snow hill.
At 16 Nate started his own clothing line, Concussed Threadz, with his younger brother Ben. The two designed, produced and sold snowboarding gear and other active wear. At first they just sold to their friends, but eventually sold to people all over the country, even sponsoring professional snowboarders like Marc Moline.
When looking at colleges, he found the University of Northern Colorado an easy choice.
“I always knew I wanted to come to Colorado for the mountains,” Nate says.
When he arrived at UNC, though, Nate says he was surprised and disappointed by the lack of a snowboarding community. Nate started Northern Colorado Riders, UNC’s own snowboarding club, in an attempt to meet other students who shared his passion. NCR, which started out with only Nate and his two best friends as members, and ran out of Nate’s dorm room, is now one of the most active clubs on campus with nearly 100 members. With big sponsors like Burton, Sobe, and Transworld Snowboarding, club members are treated to discounts on gear and passes, free food, and cheap weekend ski trips.
“I’m really glad to finally have a group where I can find and connect with snowboarders in my community,” says Alex Bradly, a two-year NCR member.
Nate’s enthusiasm for snowboarding is about to expand even beyond the club. This spring Nate opened up his own skate and snowboard shop in Greeley. Blacklist Boardshop opened its doors in April on 10th Avenue and 16th Street next to Margie’s Java Joint.
“I’m so excited to have such a progressive shop in Greeley,” says Andrew Smith, a Greeley snowboarder. “And it’s really cool that it’s a college student putting it all together.”
A business marketing major, Nate is one of the rare students putting his education to work even before graduating.
“Learning about snowboarding started out as a hobby,” Nate says. “But now it’s turned into my full-time job.”
Even though his days are packed with business meetings involving the shop and organizing events for NCR, there’s still a fire in his eyes when Nate talks about snowboarding, and he still finds time to hit the slopes on weekends.
Leaning back in his chair, Nate tips his head to get the last sip out of his Pepsi bottle.
“Snowboarding is my life,” he says. “That’s all there is to it.”
The First 20 Years
• 11, learned to snowboard in Lawrenceberg, Indiana.
• 16, started own clothing line, Concussed Threadz.
• 18, moved to Greeley, Colorado.
• 18, started NCR at UNC.
• 20, opened Blacklist Board Shop, 919 16th Street in Greeley.
