Zips Who Made It Big: UA Athletes Playing On Professional Teams
(Image via The University of Akron)
Zippy is here to get students and campus members excited about UA sports.
September 26, 2019
Ever wonder where student athletes go after they graduate?
Although not all those who participate in collegiate sports move on to play for professional teams, there have been several from The University of Akron that have continued their athletic career after leaving college.
“We have many former athletes who are currently playing professional sports,” Cathy Bongiovi, the assistant athletic director for communications of all UA sports, said.
Bongiovi provided the names listed below of the former student athletes who currently play on a professional sports team. Additional information on the players’ careers comes from a variety of different sources.
Jatavis Brown – Linebacker, Los Angeles Chargers
According to ESPN’s website, the San Diego Chargers selected Brown in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. As the first linebacker drafted from UA in the school’s history, Brown was also the first player drafted from Akron since Reggie Corner in 2008.
Ulysees Gilbert III – Linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers0
According to the Steelers website, Gilbert was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Gilbert has played in three games at the start of the season and has two tackle assists.
Ben Lundt – Louisville City FC
According to the FC Cincinnati website, Lundt is a German soccer goalkeeper for Louisville City FC in the USL Championship on loan from FC Cincinnati. Ludnt has yet to start this season.
Abdi Mohamed – Somalia National Team 2019
According to the MLS website, Mohamed is a Kenyan-born, American-raised player for the USL Championship soccer team Memphis 901 FC, on loan from New York City FC and the Somalia national team.
Mohamed made his international debut for the Somalia football team for its 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe, where his team won 1-0.
There are several more student athletes that have made it into professional careers. For a complete list for each sport, visit the Akron Athletics website.
Veronica Janosek is a double major in Integrated Marketing Communications and Marketing Management at The University of Akron.
As a published writer, her primary areas of coverage include campus sports, as well as campus news. After graduating from UA, Veronica plans on applying her marketing skills within the business world.
An Interesting Fact about Veronica:
Veronica's parents made her initials V.W.J. so that they stood for the Volkswagen Jetta.
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