Raby George: ‘An iron gate’

For as long as he can remember, Raby George dreamed of playing on “the big field.”

Growing up in Sweden, he was surrounded by soccer. As a boy, he used to enjoy playing with his uncles and older cousins. Surrounded by the people he loves, he quickly discovered a passion for the sport.

“You have your parents from the start, and whatever they love, you love,” he said.

And for George, that was soccer.

‘A big soccer family’

George first joined a soccer team when he was 6 years old, though he doesn’t remember when he first started playing.

“I think I’ve always played soccer,” he said.

Growing up with a family of soccer players drove him to fall in love with the game early on. Both of his parents played, and George’s twin sisters and 6-year-old brother also play.

Even though he is separated from his family by an ocean and a substantial time difference, George said his family’s support has never waned. No matter how late he plays, his parents stay up to watch his games on TV in Sweden. Their support has been consistent throughout George’s life.

“When I was younger they drove me to every game, took me to every practice. Especially my dad was always there,” he said.

His eyes light up when he mentions his father.

“He is the reason I play this sport,” he said.

His parents encouraged him to try a range of sports. And he did — from ice hockey, to volleyball, to basketball and even ping-pong. But George says, “It was always going to be soccer. It’s one of those things that you just know.”

So at 16, George let go of his other sports in pursuit of his true dream — to play professional soccer.

‘Degree first’

By the time he was 18, George had reached a level of talent that could propel him to the pros.

But he was missing one piece — a college degree.

“That was a tough decision, obviously,” he said. “Because you have this dream you’ve always fought for, and it’s right there, and you’re 18 years old, and it’s tough.

“But at the same (time) for me, and thanks to my parents to guide me through my decision, it was, ‘Go get your degree first and then go pro.’”

But he could not do both. At least, not in Europe. North Carolina men’s soccer coach Carlos Somoano noted that overseas, it is not possible to get an education while playing at a high level of soccer. Ultimately, this is what drew George to the United States — and to UNC, where George enrolled in 2012.

‘A family away from home’

The decision to come to the U.S. was tough, but George said being a student at UNC presented its own challenges — namely, the adjustment to college courses in a foreign language.

“Obviously we learned English in Sweden but coming in here and reading at a college level?”

He sighed as he remembered his initial frustration.

“That was intense.”

But he was not in the struggle alone.

“Our goal as seniors is to help the freshmen get settled,” said former teammate and fellow midfielder Alex Walters, who mentored George during his first two years at UNC.

“Our goal as seniors is to help the freshmen understand what their class schedule’s going to look like and what the work rate they’re going to have to put in is going to look like and how they’re going to have to push each other in practice ... and we want them to understand that as quickly as possible so we can hit the ground running right away.”

Walters said he connected with George because of his fun-loving personality, and the two grew close. He fondly recalls how they would spend afternoons together at Chipotle, sitting outside and talking anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours over sweet tea and burritos.

George said the support from his team made all the difference.

“There’s so many connections and alumni that come here and try to help you in every way possible,” George said.

“It’s just so amazing. And I know that I’m leaving this place with a new family behind me. A family away from home for sure.”

George deems brotherhood one of his favorite parts of UNC soccer. Walters recalled how George embraced this environment of togetherness.

“He felt that he was a part of something — a family in that sense,” Walters said.

And with the support of his soccer family, George more than adjusted to UNC’s environment. He thrived in it.

Leading by example

George has come to grow substantially as a player and a leader, and the rest of the team has felt the effect of his presence.

“It’s not just soccer,” Somoano said. “It’s leadership as well. And I think that’s probably one of the areas that he’s excelled at this year.”

Walters recalled that he was impressed by George’s remarkable work ethic.

“He’s headstrong. He does what he wants. He’ll go after it as hard as he can,” he said.

Now, it is the senior’s work ethic that has made him a crucial component for fifth-seeded North Carolina as it prepared to face Coastal Carolina in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at 6 p.m. on Sunday at Fetzer Field.

“He’s kind of been an iron gate for us,” Somoano said. “He’s there every day. His physical resiliency has been remarkable. He’s one of the guys that can come up day after day after day and really grind at practice.”

George — who has scored all three of UNC’s penalty kick goals this season— noted that since coming to North Carolina, his greatest improvements have been in his mentality. He feels that he is a more strategic player and has grown as a leader.

Somoano has also been impressed with his growth both on and off the field.

“He’s matured not only as a soccer player but as a young man ...” he said. “He’s been one of the more enjoyable student-athletes to watch grow that we’ve had. I mean, it’s really remarkable the things that he’s been able to absorb, and like I said, I think that’s a testament to him.”

Taking the next step

Months away from receiving his diploma, George is almost ready to catch hold of his lifelong dream to play professionally. Looking back, he said he is glad he waited to go pro.

“I don’t think I was mentally ready for the difficulties that would have come if I would’ve gone pro ...” George said. “And now that I’m older and wiser, as they say, I feel like I’m ready for that experience for sure.”

The young boy who once relished playing with his family is now on the cusp of reaching his lifelong dream.

“Being around that made me fall in love with the sport because I saw how much fun people were having,” George said.

“And I was always thinking, ‘One day, I’m going to be that guy that runs around on the big field.’”

And now he is.

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