[1] Nicholson attended Denison University, where he played center for the school's football team and was captain of the 1926 squad.
[5] In 1930, Nicholson accepted the head coaching position at Toledo, as it would provide him with enough money to attend law school.
[3] Following the 1934 season, a number of Toledo alumni requested a coaching change, but the school retained Nicholson.
[3] In 1963, the University of Toledo created the Nicholson Trophy, which was given annually to the football team's most valuable player.
The Shoe Bowl trophy, which was given to the winner of Toledo's high school football championship, was also named for him.