University of North Carolina Athletics
Urso Seeks Punctuation For Stellar Career
September 8, 2011 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 8, 2011
y Tar Heel Monthly's Kevin Chandler
Kirk Urso is coming off of a season that will be hard to top. In 2010, he was the ACC Academic Scholar Athlete of the Year, named All-ACC Second Team, selected to the ACC All-Tournament Team and was a Top Drawer Soccer Top 100 Upperclassman. He also ranked second on the team with 15 points and notched two game-winners.
Urso was recently named one of thirty men's soccer candidates for the 2011 Lowe's Senior CLASS (Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School) Award. To be a candidate for the award, one must have notable achievements in the community, classroom, character and competition.
Among all his other achievements, Urso feels this one is special. "I think it's good that the NCAA recognizes student athletes that are not just focusing on their sport, but are doing other things to get involved in the community and doing well in school," he says. "There are just tons of good people working in the athletic department that are really trying to present us with opportunities and chances to grow, and I think all of that shows up in this award. It's definitely a great honor."
Urso lived in Illinois until he was 15 and then moved to Florida to take part in Residency Program, which is a two year accelerated academic program and national team comprised of 40 invited players from across the country. The goal is to make the team and then qualify for the under-17 World Cup, as Urso did.
After going to South Korea for the World Cup, Urso set his sights on Chapel Hill. Just because he is from Illinois does not mean he did not always want to be a Tar Heel. "Growing up in Chicago, Michael Jordan was everywhere," he says. "When I was at home, I found North Carolina t-shirts that I wore in elementary school. And then, I visited Carolina and I really liked the style of play, the coaching staff and the campus. Everything about the school is great."
The Tar Heels have been to three straight College Cups, coming up short of a national championship each time. They also made it to the ACC Tournament championship last season, but lost 1-0 to Maryland. Now a senior and facing his last chance to win, Urso feels there is a certain level of expectation this season. "There's definitely a desire amongst the older guys to get something and really make a staple in the soccer program's history," he says. "And our coaches and our team have high expectations for us, too, so it's kind of like a driving force within the program."
With this being Urso's last year of college, he has given some thought to what his future might hold. "Obviously, I'm hoping to continue to play soccer and try to make a career out of that as long as I can either here in the States or abroad," Urso says. "Carolina has provided me with a great education. So, if things don't work out for whatever reason, I'll look down different avenues."
