Everyone dreams of success, but how many people can truly say they’ve achieved it at age 23? The recent UNC grad, Eddie Ababio, was the UNC men’s soccer team captain and has recently been drafted in the first round by the Major League team, the Colorado Rapids. His name is well known around UNC’s campus, but most people don’t know about his inspirational father and his philanthropic side. It is safe to say that with countless fans and his very own Wikipedia article, Eddie has now achieved success making him this week’s Campus Celebrity.
HC: Where are you originally from, and why did you come to the States? What do you miss most about it?
Eddie: I am originally from Kumasi, Ghana. My father won the visa lottery and was able to move my family to the States in 1996 for a better life. What I miss most about Ghana is the culture and my other relatives still living there.
HC: How long have you been playing soccer?
Eddie: I’ve been playing soccer my whole life. In Ghana soccer is life. I can’t remember a day in my life where I didn’t touch a soccer ball.
HC: What other organizations were you involved with at UNC?
Eddie: I’ve been involved in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Carolina Leadership Academy. My freshmen year I volunteered with a couple of my teammates to have play dates with kids who were patients at the UNC Children’s hospital.
HC: What is your favorite memory from UNC?
Eddie: My favorite memory at UNC would have to be when we played our season opener versus FIU my junior year. Fetzer Stadium was packed that evening and Carolina Fever was in attendance. I scored a goal that night and jumped over the fence to celebrate with the fans.
HC: Was it difficult to balance the rigorous UNC academics along with being captain of the UNC Men’s soccer team? How did you do it?
Eddie: To excel in academics and your sport, especially when you are in season, you have to manage your time wisely and be able to use all the resources available to you. My captain duties weren’t that difficult because other seniors such as Stephen McCarthy, Dustin McCarty, Cam Brown, Jalil Anibaba and Michael Farfan took on leadership roles, which made my job easier.
HC: If you could choose one person from your life who has most inspired you to succeed, who would it be and why?
Eddie: My father is my biggest inspiration. Since we moved to the States in 1996 til this day he has been working two jobs and has greatly improved our family situation. I’ve inherited his work ethic, and everything I’ve wanted to achieve so far in my life I’ve been able to do it.
HC: How did it feel getting drafted by the Colorado Rapids?
Eddie: It’s always exciting getting drafted, especially in the first round, and having the opportunity to play at the next level, but I believe I deserved it. I had a great friends and a great career here at UNC. However, I do give thanks to God for allowing all of this to happen.
HC: What’s a piece of advice you have for UNC students who are trying to succeed in athletics, academics or life in general?
Eddie: The one piece of advice that I would share with anyone trying to succeed at anything is what the UNC sports psychologist, Dr. Hedgepath, told me: “Always believe in yourself no matter what.”
HC: Okay, so now a question for the ladies of UNC. What qualities do you look for in a girl? What are deal-makers and deal-breakers for you?
Eddie: I’m attracted to smart, confident, honest girls who can make me smile. Deal-makers for me are piercings, a girl who can dance and a girl who enjoys soccer. If a girl is selfish, that’s a deal-breaker for me. Right now I’m talking to a beautiful UNC student named Tricia Cleppe. Sorry ladies, but keep an eye on my relationship status on Facebook…you never know when it will change ;)
Sources:
newsobserver.com