The UMBC men's soccer program is celebrating Black History Month 2023 by honoring the achievements of a pair of alumni who continue to inspire #RetrieverNation with their contributions to sport and community.

The program's culture of inclusive excellence has attracted a diverse group of skilled, committed athletes who focus on supporting each other while competing at a high level. And they haven't just competed, they've won. On and off the field. 

In 2021,UMBC men's soccer kicked off its recognition of Black men that have contributed to Retriever men's soccer by honoring Levi Houapeu, '15, 'Dr. Theodore "Ted" Lawler, '99, and Darius Taylor, '91. Last year, the staff recognized Phillipe Bissohong, '07, information systems, Kadeem Dacres, '14, media and communication studies and Darius Qualls, who competed for two brilliant seasons for the Retrievers.

This year, the program has chosen to recognize Mamadou Kansaye, '15, psychology and Ime Umoh, '08, information systems/business technology administration. After prepping at McDonough and Calvert Hall respectively, both student-athletes began their collegiate careers elsewhere before transferring to UMBC.

After one season at N.C. State, Kansaye competed for the Retrievers from 2012-14. He earned First Team America East honors in his junior and senior campaigns and was the America East Midfielder of the Year as he captained UMBC to the College Cup in 2014.

Kansaye is now serving his country in the United States Army.

"I met Mamadou coaching him at the youth level where he was an outstanding player," said Head Coach Anthony Adams. "His impact at UMBC on the field during his three seasons after transferring from N.C. State cannot be measured. Three championships in three seasons, including a trip to the College Cup (Final Four) and two-Top 5 National Rankings. He was the ultimate team leader and captain.  Mamadou has decided to serve his country in the United States Army and we couldn't be prouder."

After transferring to UMBC from Methodist College, Umoh earned two letters for the Retrievers in 2007 and 2008. He competed in 32 games, scoring a pair of goals and adding three assists.

Umoh is the creative director at Baltimore-based Push the Button, a studio which focuses on telling purpose-driven stories for brands and non-profits all around the world. He is currently on a film assignment in Accra, Ghana.

"|I had the privilege of coaching Ime at the youth level and was excited when he transferred to UMBC to play his final two seasons," said Adams. "He was a tremendous athlete and was an outstanding teammate.  The work he has recently done as a professional video creator is amazing and we are very happy for his success."
 
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Q. Given the obstacles that you had to overcome as a Black student-athlete - competing in a sport where only Black participation is only 10 percent* at the DI level - how did you achieve all that you did before, during and after your time at UMBC?  (*40 percent participation of Black student-athletes in men's soccer at UMBC) 
 
MK: Competing in Division I athletics is a challenging fit and one that I have been blessed to experience. Being an immigrant from Mali, soccer was always my refuge. When I moved to the United States, soccer was my primary method of communication and my way of making friends before learning English. In terms of overcoming obstacles, I have to thank my parents for that. The values that they instilled in me carried me through the most difficult obstacles. I was also blessed with great teammates from my youth soccer days through my UMBC career, being a part of some of the best teams in the country always made me look better than I actually was, ha-ha. Ultimately the challenges were simply a part of the journey and I owe all of my achievements to my parents and my teammates. 
 
IU: As a Black student-athlete, it was important for me to train with, build with, and grow alongside other incredibly talented Black student-athletes. Their presence and achievements inspired me to push myself even further and strive for excellence both on and off the field. The bond that we shared went beyond our love for soccer; we had a deep understanding of the obstacles and challenges that we faced and could support each other through those experiences.

I believe that Black student-athletes played a significant role in our success as a team, not only because of what we accomplished on the field but also because of what we represented to the game of soccer and to other nationally-recognized soccer programs. Our diversity and commitment to excellence showed that there was a place for everyone in this sport, regardless of their background or race. We challenged stereotypes and demonstrated that Black student-athletes could excel at the highest levels of competition.
 
Q. And, how did our coaching staff specifically and UMBC in general help you in that endeavor?

MK: Where do I begin with the UMBC coaching staff? I was a transfer from a program where I was told that I wasn't good enough. These coaches gave me an opportunity not only to play but fully express myself as an individual within the team parameters. 

IU: When I think about how the UMBC coaching staff and community helped me as a Black student-athlete, the first thing that comes to mind is 'brotherhood.' The coaching staff emphasized playing together and for each other, not just preparing for the game. This approach not only prepared me for the field, but also for life beyond soccer. I am grateful for their commitment to our development as both athletes and individuals.

The UMBC community, in general, was supportive of our goals and aspirations, and they recognized the importance of diversity and inclusion. I felt like I was part of a community that valued our contributions and understood the unique challenges that we faced. This helped to create a sense of belonging and gave me the confidence to pursue my goals with determination.

Coach Caringi, Coach Adams and Coach DeBone played a significant role in this process by recognizing our strengths and fueling our development as student-athletes. They challenged us to be our best, both on and off the field, and provided us with the tools and support we needed to succeed. The coaching staff's commitment to our development, combined with the supportive UMBC community, helped us to achieve great things and set us up for success beyond college.