Editor-in-Chief: Katrice Mitchell, ’16
“Success is a journey not a destination.”
When asked what Omar Holness’ mantra is, he shyly laughed, bit his bottom lip and as his cheeks flushed red said, “The very words that I strive to not only live by and embody are success is a journey not a destination. Though I have achieved so much, there is still more for me to do.”
Success surely does seem to follow the Jamaican soccer player wherever he goes.
Holness, who has played soccer since the age of four, and competitively on Jamaica’s national team since the age of 15, still maintains an attitude of excellence both on and off the field.
As a team leader for both his national and collegiate team, he leads by an example of an on-the-field ferocity channeled with tenacity for success. This has helped lead the Tar Heels to an ACC Coastal Champions title.
Three years ago when Holness toured the campus of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he immediately fell in love with the campus.
Little did he know, Chapel Hill would be the place where he would not only flourish academically and professionally, but also the place where he would fight his greatest battle. This battle is not one on the soccer field, but instead it is one of the mind. His greatest opponent would be himself and his confidence.
Though the six foot junior has been a constant starter since he began playing for the UNC Men’s Soccer team, he still had doubts about his ability to perform for the team that has 22 NCAA Tournament Appearances.
“Many would find it odd, but at times I’m not the most confident person in the room. I have my moments of uncertainty like everyone else”, said Holness.
He’s right. It comes as an absolute shock that the first team All-ACC player may lack when it comes to confidence, but everyone has an Achilles’ heel. Holness’ comes in the form of failing to attain the high goals he has set for himself.
Holness, who was accustomed to playing with people that looked like him, had to adapt to playing with a multicultural team. Some of this lack of confidence stemmed from being one of the few men of color on the soccer team, as well as at a predominately white institution.
“I used to feel insubordinate, as if I didn’t matter and that affected my performance when I first came here. Later I began to develop a level of confidence that helped me to feel more comfortable in my own skin and secure in my independence”, said Holness.
His on-the-field performance began to reflect a completely different persona. During the 2013 NCAA Tournament, he scored the game-winning goal in the 1-0 victory over USF in the first round.
Holness, who has an excellent work ethic, was riding high on his expected, yet unexpected success. All of this was tested when he acquired a hamstring injury. When he was asked about his injury, he said, “I had a meltdown when I found out I had to have a surgery. The main thing that was going through my head was, how am I going to come back from this?”
This injury took another shot to his confidence. The veil of uncertainty weighed heavily as he prepared for post-surgery recovery.
Though most players would be spending this time of recovery in seclusion or in a slump, Holness was the complete opposite.
“During recovery it was really hard, but I pushed through because my injury was merely a situation not my destination”, said Holness. An athlete like Holness uses rehab as a way to come back stronger and to fully perfect his craft.
In regards to his injury, Holness said, “At first I let all the naysayers bother me. Everyone was saying, “He’s not coming back from this. He was riding high, but that ended quickly.” A lot of people thought that I was going to just sit down and let my injury define me. Honestly, that gave me the added confidence I needed for me to get better and to not only prove everyone wrong, but to prove to myself that I could get better.”
Prove everyone wrong he did. After his recovery, Holness continued to excel and receive honors. Collegiality, he continued to start in the midfield for UNC. Nationally, he again represented his country as the team vice-captain for the Jamaican U20 team that advanced to the U20 CONCACAF finals stages of World Cup qualifying.
Although Holness has achieved what most people would dream of, he’s still humble and looking forward to his future aspirations.
“I remember when I questioned my ability, as well as myself in a whole. Yes, I am confident. Cocky? No. Firstly, because I wasn’t raised that way. Secondly, I know what it’s like to be on the other side”, said Holness.
As the season comes to a close and tournament play begins, many eyes will be on Holness. Currently, the team holds the title of the ACC Coastal Champions. When asked if he is confident with what he and the team has to offer going into the tournament, Holness grinned and said, “We are champions for a reason.”
