UNC Soccer: Kirk Urso: What to Remember

Written By: Avery Claudon

Kirk Urso died last Sunday. Although his death was well publicized and discussed, we should face facts, the first question many of us Tar Heels asked upon reading of his death was “Who was he?”

In a phrase: Kirk Urso was the kind of person of whom complete strangers could be proud.

As a player, he was a bright young prospect for US Soccer, and for his club Columbus Crew. He was also a star for the UNC men’s soccer team. A central midfielder who could enforce for the back line just as well as he could make a late run or incisive pass to break an opponent’s defense, he was the captain of the men’s soccer team which won the College Cup last year. He was captain of the men’s soccer team for two years before graduating after last season.

In soccer there are several different kinds of captains. There are inspirational leaders, the sort who will give 110% and incite their teammates to do the same. There are personable veterans, the type who have everyone’s trust and support and thus have the confidence of the team. There are players who know how to remain calm under fire. There are men who are just superior players, the kind who deserve their teammates’ respect for mere physical prowess.

Urso was so special a captain because he was all of these. By many accounts he was the big game performer who spurred the Heels to the title. He was a long time representative of the USA Men’s National Team at the youth level. Most importantly though, he was a person of such great character and personality that he seemed impossible not to like.

His teammates have spoken out in response to his death. While many reference his great talent and work ethic, most every comment contains a reference to his character, his demeanor, or his personality. They say it’s impossible get the whole world to like you, but Kirk seemed bound to try.

He was just a great kid. Plain and simple. But alas he was a shining star fallen to earth.
There is, however, a great beauty to be found in this horrid circumstance. The Tar Heel Nation came together to mourn a departed son. He was a person who we were proud to call a Tar Heel, and a person who makes us all aware that we are a part of something very special: the UNC community.

Because this is what it’s all about: How many of us are actually UNC Chapel Hill graduates? We were brought into the fold by friends and parents and teachers. We stuck around for the community. We went from the sons and daughters of Tar Heels to supporters to true diehards, sometimes without even seeing the campus in a lifetime.

But seeing every Tar Heel blue flag and jersey in a crowd made us more sure of who we were.  Every fellow fan was worthy of our respect and courtesy. Most of us are complete strangers united for one reason: we love the University of North Carolina.

Kirk Urso died Sunday, his passing met with considerable grief from the Tar Heel Nation, his loss so universally mourned by Heels everywhere for one very special reason: he was one of us. This is where we can find strength in this time. His promising young life was cut short, but the response to his loss was nothing short of outstanding.
We Tar Heels look out for our own. Many of us didn’t know how great a player and person he was, and instead knew only that he was a Tar Heel, but we mourned him nonetheless. This week a community of college basketball and football fans mourned a dead soccer player, and did so simply because he wore the Tar Heel name with honor.
God bless us Tar Heel Born. Our fans are simply the best on earth.

Rest In Peace Kirk Urso. Those of us in sky blue are always behind you.

Editors Note: Keeping It Heel is expanding it’s coverage to include soccer.  We hope you enjoyed this featured and will come back for many more.