University of North Carolina Athletics
Opposites Enable Merritt to Lead Tar Heels
November 18, 2004 | Men's Soccer
Nov. 18, 2004
By Lauren Moskowitz
Competitive, aggressive, fierce. Humble, modest, nice. Opposites? Definitely. But all those words describe the University of North Carolina's Tim Merritt.
A senior defender on the soccer team, Merritt is a co-captain and unquestionably the leader. Yet he isn't the typical cocky jock you always see in the movies. He's a genuinely nice guy.
So far this season, the 22-year-old has scored three goals and assisted on four others, outstanding statistics for a defender. But his biggest asset to the team is his determination to win.
"I'm a very competitive person," he said, with his chocolate-colored eyes gleaming, as they always seem to do when talking about soccer. "I definitely don't take losing very lightly at all."
"Sometimes I take my competitive nature a little overboard; I know that," he said shaking his shiny, coal-black hair, almost as if he was reprimanding himself.
His teammates certainly approve of his ferocity on the field, though. "Tim is the most competitive player on our team; he brings drive and determination," senior forward Marcus Storey said.
"Tim's competitive drive can only have a positive impact," assistant coach John Cone emphasized.
Now six feet tall and a muscular 170 pounds, Tim has been playing competitive soccer since he was four, and although he also played basketball and baseball as a kid, he's been a one-sport athlete since he was 11.
Excelling in his Gig Harbor, Wash., high school, Merritt was recruited by schools "all over the nation," especially a lot of west coast schools. "I totally fell in love with (Carolina)," Merritt said with a grin. "I feel like coming here was the best decision of my life." As the best soccer conference in the nation, the ACC suits Merritt's competitiveness perfectly.
"The hardest part is not being able to have my family and friends come watch me play," he said, suddenly much more subdued. Growing up, Merritt's parents went to all of his games and were his biggest supporters. As he talked about them, and his younger brother, Jeff, 19, he beamed with pride, albeit a hint of nostalgia.
"We're really tight," he said about his brother. Jeff is in the military and currently stationed in Iceland, but nonetheless, the brothers talk on a regular basis. "I do worry about him," Merritt said softly. "I really miss him, but he's doing really well, and I'm proud of him."
This year, Merritt's team role is drastically different than it ever has been. This year, he's the team's big brother. He's the star, the leader, the captain. He's the guy that younger players look up to.
"I look at Tim as a role model, somebody I strive to be like someday," Adam Sloustcher, a freshman defender/midfielder, said. "When I make a mistake at practice or in a game, Tim tells me what I did was not okay. However, he is supportive at all times, and his criticism is positive."
"(Being captain) is a huge challenge for any player," Cone said. "Tim has done a very good job balancing his role as captain with his own play."
As Merritt reflected on his position, he looked and sounded like a big brother talking about his younger siblings. "I like the challenge (of being captain). I'm helping these guys mature, and so they understand what Carolina soccer is all about," he said.
"(The younger players) believe and follow Tim without a question. They understand that he knows what it takes to win," Storey said.
"His work ethic and competitiveness are second to none. The younger guys can see how things should be done," senior defender Ray Fumo said.
"I mean, hopefully they look at me as a role model, but I don't know," Merritt stammered. "It's up to them; it's their thing."
His competitiveness will surely continue through the remainder of the season. There's no "senioritis" for Merritt.
"(The team's) focus is going to be winning the rest of our games this year and getting a good bid to the tournament," he said, nodding his head determinedly.
A communications major, Merritt hopes to eventually get into marketing with adidas. But always the competitor, he has other aspirations first. "I'd love to play MLS, or somewhere in Europe," he said. Glancing off into space, it appeared that he was imagining himself as one of the World Cup heroes he idolized growing up. "If professional soccer works out, that's my dream."
"Tim has the tools and ability to make it to the next level, without a doubt," Storey said.
"His love for the game and work ethic will find him a spot on some team," Fumo added.
He's so focused on the future that it took him several minutes to reflect upon his favorite soccer memory.
Or maybe the delay wasn't because he's so focused on the future. Maybe it's because there are so many memories.
He finally settled on his game-winning goal against Michigan in last year's Carolina Nike Classic.
"That was a good feeling," he said pensively, pausing to take a bite of his poppy-seed bagel. "I have some good memories here."
But he can't make Carolina memories forever, and Merritt realizes that. Ninety percent or more of the team won't make it to the next competitive soccer level, he said.
"These four years fly by. I play each game like it's my last," he said.
Competitive, aggressive, fierce. Humble, modest, nice.
Opposites? Definitely.
ut what's wrong with opposites?
