New spring sport kicks up interest in AUC
By: Folasade Omogun
Issue date: 1/30/09 Section: Sports
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"A lot of people from school play soccer, but we didn't have a soccer team," said Melvin Waakpogro, sophomore business major. "We really want to make it an official NCAA team and open a lot of minds to appreciate soccer."
Waakpogro and Ibrahim Kargbo contacted Intramural sports coordinator, Devin White and Senior Women Administrator and Compliance Coordinator, Dr. Tamica Jones to talk about their plans of starting both a men and women soccer team this spring.
The students, who are both from West Africa where soccer is a popular sport, said White and Jones agreed with their ideas and plans and volunteered to help them get started.
"He was excited about us having a soccer team because he thought about the same thing," Kargbo said when speaking of White's response. "Melvin spoke with Dr. Jones and she was very helpful and said we would have no problems using the stadium."
After finalizing paper work and appropriate requisitions, the men got approval to begin hanging up flyers and invitations for try out. In less than a month, they received calls from more than 20 students interested in playing on the teams.
"A lot of my friends are excited," said sophomore Asha Belks, who has been playing soccer since she was 10-year- old and serves as the captain for the women's team. "This will attract more students to the school."
The teams had their first practice at the Panther stadium on Jan. 24, which welcomed more than 15 women and six men from the Atlanta University Center (AUC).
"This is a very good development. It's a good way to introduce our culture," said Oluwatosin Awoniyi, a member of the men's team.
Although the teams have not obtained all necessary equipment for practice, Kargbo said they were fortunate to obtain soccer balls.
In the first weeks of practice, the teams have been working on agility and technique drills. Kargbo said the teams' main goal at this time is to get in shape.
"Soccer is non-stop and requires a lot of coordination," Kargbo said. "After a while, going back and fourth down the field gets hard."
Kargbo said they are still working with school administrators to expand the program and make it an official NCAA team.
If the team becomes a member of the NCAA, it will be the first soccer program in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). Kargbo and Waakpogro said in two years they look forward to recruiting players and competing against schools such as Georgia State and Georgia Tech.
"We are being optimistic and know that doors will open," Kargbo said.
The teams practice Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Panther stadium. The women's first game is scheduled against Spelman College and the men will meet up with Morehouse College in February. Schedules will be available soon and the teams are still welcoming students to join them on the field.
"You don't have to be the greatest guy to come out and play," Kargbo said.
