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Love and Soccer

By Brieun Scott

Thursday, July 24, 2008

It was the love of a common game that brought two people together. While playing soccer in a pick-up game, Rebecca Nye, Newton senior, and El Hadji (Oumar) Seck met each other on the field.

His and Hers…

“We like to say our lives are like love and soccer,” Nye said, referring to the movie “Love and Basketball.”

Nye began her soccer career in first grade and continued to play throughout school. During her senior year, Nye’s high school team, Newton High, placed second at state.

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Love and Soccer

“I love using my feet. It just seems so natural,” Nye said.

Nye received a scholarship to Washburn University, where she played for one year before transferring to the University. Nye has played in the Lawrence soccer league since 2004.

She is the only woman on the Lawrence Men Open League. The team, Drinking Bastards, is the number one soccer team in Lawrence.

Seck said he’d been playing soccer since he was young in Senegal, where it is the most popular sport.

“I think I came out with a soccer ball,” Seck said. “I grew up playing every day.”

Seck came to Lawrence in 2001 and began playing soccer in the Lawrence league as well. He played for the Lawrence league until 2006 and now plays for the Kansas City Soccer league.

The two soccer lovers’ paths crossed in 2005 while playing opposite each other in a pick-up game. Seck was playing on the number one team in Lawrence and Nye was on the opposing team.

After playing each other three years ago, the two are now married.

“It works with life,” Seck said. “It’s a lot offering on and off the field—it’s a team sport.”

One union, different culture

Nye is a Christian, and Seck is a Muslim, but they don’t let their different cultures interfere in their relationship. They use compromise and the love for soccer to bring balance to their home. Nye said they tried to be open with each other’s cultures and compromise, especially on holidays.

One holiday that they celebrate is Tabaske.

Seck said the holiday was similar to Christmas in America. He said in Senegal, friends and family got together to talk, party and ask each other for forgiveness and forgive others.

Nye said at first she was overwhelmed by all the activity that occurred during the celebration, but she eventually became more comfortable.

“The experience was very eye opening,” Nye said. “I really appreciate the idea behind the holidays.”

Seck said upon first arriving to America, he was surprised by the welcome he received. He said he was mostly shocked by how affectionate Americans were.

“We don’t do like America. We don’t hug,” Seck said. “People here are more friendly, nice and trying to welcome you.”

Nye said that’s one thing about Seck she had to get used to: he was a private person because that was his culture.

Seck said holidays were also different. He said some holidays such as Christmas and Easter were more important in American culture than Senegalese.

“At first I was like’ what’s going on?’ but I’m getting used to it,” he said.

New Year’s Eve is one holiday that isn’t a big deal in his culture, Seck says. He said he wasn’t used to the celebration that was associated with the occasion.

Making it work

Nye and Seck both play a role in the community as licensed coaches for the Kansas Valley Soccer Association. They each said they liked to give back to younger players.

“I love working one-on-one with you age students,” Nye said. “I love passing the knowledge onto other people.”

Nye and Seck sometimes cross paths on the soccer field, but not as teammates, as opponents. Seck said he didn’t cut Nye much slack on the field because she liked the challenge.

“Yep, I don’t make anything easy,” Seck laughed.

Both Nye and Seck plan to continue and play soccer and obtain more soccer licenses to continue to enjoy the game that brought them together.

“Soccer is as complex as any sport is,” Nye said. “It’s a beautiful game.”

— Edited by Rustin Dodd

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