University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Alex Comsia: Living In The Moment
September 26, 2018 | Men's Soccer
By: Matthew Largen
From afar, one would not be able to tell that Alex Comsia is the senior captain of the 2018 Tar Heels' men's soccer team. From afar, one would not be able to tell that he has been recognized and awarded for his academic achievements. From afar, one would not know that his little sister is his inspiration. Alex Comsia is nothing short of a complex and interesting individual.
The player
As a freshman, the import from North Vancouver, B.C., was thrust into the jaws of Atlantic Coastal Conference competition after veteran defender Walker Hume suffered an injury prior to the beginning of the 2015 season. The Tar Heels charged on with Comsia at center back, and won 11 of their first 12 contests. However, in the 13th game of the season, the Tar Heels suffered their first loss against Wake Forest, and subsequently Comsia was removed from the starting formation, a condition which persisted for the remainder of the season.
"Wake Forest had a bunch of good players and I wasn't reading the game correctly. I was immature and didn't play well in that game," recalls Comsia. "I was not used to a high paced game, then I got subbed off and the coaches went back to the three veterans in the defensive line, Colton Storm, Jonathan Campbell and Jordan McCrary. However, it did not discourage me. Obviously, I wanted to play, but I knew that I didn't deserve to play at that moment because I was not getting the job done."
A recharged Comsia was called upon in his sophomore season to fill a void in the back line as Campbell and McCrary graduated from UNC and entered Major League Soccer. On August 26, 2016, Comsia took to the field as a starter against Cal Poly and has not relinquished the role since.
In 2017, Comsia led the team in minutes played with 1,977.
A member of two Carolina teams which reached the College Cup, Comsia gained priceless experience, knowledge and a focused mindset that has helped him excel in his position on the pitch.
The scholar
During the Tar Heels' 2016 campaign, Comsia's academic efforts were honored as he was named a recipient of NCAA Elite 90, an award that by definition "recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers." The NCAA Elite 90 Award is one of the most coveted awards given out by the NCAA.
Additionally, Comsia has earned the reputation as a model student-athlete by his peers, having been named to two All-ACC Academic Teams, the 2016 College Sports Information Directors of America third-team Academic All-America Team and the 2017 United Soccer Coaches second-team NCAA Division I Scholar All-American squad. Attributing high motivation and organization, Comsia shares the recognition of his individual academic achievements.
"Everything that I have accomplished reflects well on me, but I have tutors at the Loudermilk Center for Excellence. I have amazing professors. I have teammates that are willing to help me, guys that were older than me that had been through the same classes that I took. They were willing to help and teach me how to solve any problems that I might of had," Comsia says.
The leader
Now as one of the veterans, Comsia passes down the same values and concepts that were once shared with him four years ago.
"You always pass on what you learn, and that is what I have been trying to do, that is what our seniors have been trying to do with the younger players," remarks Comsia. "We do this because we know that they will do it for the next generation of UNC soccer players and it will keep going and going and going."
One of the key values that is passed down from the seniors and coaching staff is to live in the present. By living in the present the players are reacting to the task at hand rather than a play or game in the future.
"If you think about the future then you are not thinking about the present. As a team we go day-by-day, even more, we go play-by-play. We try to live by this ideology, but we're human. We try to do our best in every single play," Comsia acknowledges.
The inspiration
For Comsia, he has always been intrinsically motivated to perform at the highest level possible. But when he cannot find motives to get through difficult situations such as a test or an opponent, he looks to his sister for inspiration.
Born with Down Syndrome and Autism, Eleanor Comsia is the lone sister in a group of five siblings. Now 20 years old, her honesty and care for her brothers are unmatched and unconditional.
"She inspires me and helps me get through the most difficult situations," Comsia says. "She is one of the sweetest people that I know, and she's just so pure and honest."
The future
You should have probably guessed it by now, but Comsia is not concerned with living in the future, rather he is focused on living in the present. Taking each day as it comes and goes, the business administration major knows that his time at UNC has not just prepared him for a potential career on Wall Street or as a professional soccer player, it has prepared him for everything in-between.
"I am so glad that I came UNC because I have grown as a human. If I would have just turned professional straight from high school I think I would have failed, and I would not have one percent of the life experiences that I have had here," says Comsia. "The relationships, the academics, the experiences, the laughs, the lows and highs, they're all so important. I would not be prepared for life. UNC is preparing me for life."
He is more than he appears to be from afar.
He is a captain, a scholar and a proud big brother.
He is Alex Comsia.
From afar, one would not be able to tell that Alex Comsia is the senior captain of the 2018 Tar Heels' men's soccer team. From afar, one would not be able to tell that he has been recognized and awarded for his academic achievements. From afar, one would not know that his little sister is his inspiration. Alex Comsia is nothing short of a complex and interesting individual.
The player
As a freshman, the import from North Vancouver, B.C., was thrust into the jaws of Atlantic Coastal Conference competition after veteran defender Walker Hume suffered an injury prior to the beginning of the 2015 season. The Tar Heels charged on with Comsia at center back, and won 11 of their first 12 contests. However, in the 13th game of the season, the Tar Heels suffered their first loss against Wake Forest, and subsequently Comsia was removed from the starting formation, a condition which persisted for the remainder of the season.
"Wake Forest had a bunch of good players and I wasn't reading the game correctly. I was immature and didn't play well in that game," recalls Comsia. "I was not used to a high paced game, then I got subbed off and the coaches went back to the three veterans in the defensive line, Colton Storm, Jonathan Campbell and Jordan McCrary. However, it did not discourage me. Obviously, I wanted to play, but I knew that I didn't deserve to play at that moment because I was not getting the job done."
A recharged Comsia was called upon in his sophomore season to fill a void in the back line as Campbell and McCrary graduated from UNC and entered Major League Soccer. On August 26, 2016, Comsia took to the field as a starter against Cal Poly and has not relinquished the role since.
In 2017, Comsia led the team in minutes played with 1,977.
A member of two Carolina teams which reached the College Cup, Comsia gained priceless experience, knowledge and a focused mindset that has helped him excel in his position on the pitch.
The scholar
During the Tar Heels' 2016 campaign, Comsia's academic efforts were honored as he was named a recipient of NCAA Elite 90, an award that by definition "recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers." The NCAA Elite 90 Award is one of the most coveted awards given out by the NCAA.
Additionally, Comsia has earned the reputation as a model student-athlete by his peers, having been named to two All-ACC Academic Teams, the 2016 College Sports Information Directors of America third-team Academic All-America Team and the 2017 United Soccer Coaches second-team NCAA Division I Scholar All-American squad. Attributing high motivation and organization, Comsia shares the recognition of his individual academic achievements.
"Everything that I have accomplished reflects well on me, but I have tutors at the Loudermilk Center for Excellence. I have amazing professors. I have teammates that are willing to help me, guys that were older than me that had been through the same classes that I took. They were willing to help and teach me how to solve any problems that I might of had," Comsia says.
The leader
Now as one of the veterans, Comsia passes down the same values and concepts that were once shared with him four years ago.
"You always pass on what you learn, and that is what I have been trying to do, that is what our seniors have been trying to do with the younger players," remarks Comsia. "We do this because we know that they will do it for the next generation of UNC soccer players and it will keep going and going and going."
One of the key values that is passed down from the seniors and coaching staff is to live in the present. By living in the present the players are reacting to the task at hand rather than a play or game in the future.
"If you think about the future then you are not thinking about the present. As a team we go day-by-day, even more, we go play-by-play. We try to live by this ideology, but we're human. We try to do our best in every single play," Comsia acknowledges.
The inspiration
For Comsia, he has always been intrinsically motivated to perform at the highest level possible. But when he cannot find motives to get through difficult situations such as a test or an opponent, he looks to his sister for inspiration.
Born with Down Syndrome and Autism, Eleanor Comsia is the lone sister in a group of five siblings. Now 20 years old, her honesty and care for her brothers are unmatched and unconditional.
"She inspires me and helps me get through the most difficult situations," Comsia says. "She is one of the sweetest people that I know, and she's just so pure and honest."
The future
You should have probably guessed it by now, but Comsia is not concerned with living in the future, rather he is focused on living in the present. Taking each day as it comes and goes, the business administration major knows that his time at UNC has not just prepared him for a potential career on Wall Street or as a professional soccer player, it has prepared him for everything in-between.
"I am so glad that I came UNC because I have grown as a human. If I would have just turned professional straight from high school I think I would have failed, and I would not have one percent of the life experiences that I have had here," says Comsia. "The relationships, the academics, the experiences, the laughs, the lows and highs, they're all so important. I would not be prepared for life. UNC is preparing me for life."
He is more than he appears to be from afar.
He is a captain, a scholar and a proud big brother.
He is Alex Comsia.
Players Mentioned
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