Alumni and Friends Making an Impact

By Jacob Mantle ’23

“One leg is good; two legs are better.”

Years ago, a coach gave this advice to sophomore men’s soccer player Basit Umar to explain the importance of playing a sport and getting an education, versus just playing a sport in hopes to go pro.

Now, the phrase hit the back-of-the-net like a scored goal for Umar when he tore his ACL last season against Loyola Chicago Oct. 7.

“Even though I’m injured now, I can still go to school,” Umar said. “That’s why I’m at Dayton.”

The kinesiology student from Ghana chose UD over other schools because of the family feel of the team and coaches.

“I picked Dayton because Alex (Ranalli) kept talking to me almost every day,” Umar said. “And I felt like I would be more at home around the players because of the three guys who came from the same program in Ghana.” 

Yet, his journey to UD was untraditional.

After graduating from the Right to Dream Academy, a premier Ghanaian soccer school, Umar spent time training in the U.K. and Denmark. He was supposed to join UD in 2021, but due to COVID and visa troubles, Umar utilized his skills and talents to coach at home in Ghana, while still training. 

“It felt like I did something for the community,” the player-coach said. “Everybody wanted to come and practice with me because we worked on training drills versus just scrimmaging.”

Umar immediately felt like part of the team when he arrived at UD in July 2022.

“The seniors made me feel like I’ve been here for several years,” Umar said.

This immediate connection helped the Flyers reach No. 16 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25, the team’s highest ranking in program history.

It also helped pave the way for Umar to win Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year. The midfielder played in all 17 games, started 13, scored three goals — including a game-winner against West Virginia — and notched two assists in his rookie campaign.

Last season, the Flyers won the A-10 Championship and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015. The team does not expect it to be the last time, either.

“When I go to practice, the NCAA Tournament is all we talk about. Even outside of practice, we get excited and look forward to what is to come,” he said.

While Umar’s 2023 season was cut short, the recipient of the Robert Forschner and Family Scholarship continues to rehab his injury and is eager to lead the team to another NCAA Tournament appearance, and is shooting to go pro.

In this process the midfielder has taken it upon himself to be a leader and role model not only for his teammates but for his friends, family and community members back home because of everyone who has impacted his life.

“Every time I play, I pray,” Umar said. “I thank God for all the people who came into my life and have helped me have the experience that I’ve had.”