Bucknell's CK Kumah Earns the Right to Dream
12/1/2009 7:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Dec. 1, 2009
By Cynthia Iselin '12
One may think that the transition from a poverty-stricken, third-world country across the world from Bucknell may be a difficult one. However, for some, it's easier than expected.
The Right to Dream Academy was founded in 1999 as a way to enable children in Ghana to reach their full potential through sports and education. It provides a stable and supporting learning environment in attempt to give the participants an opportunity to escape the cycle of extensive poverty in Ghana. So far, the Academy has provided the gift of education and athletic opportunity to 80 students, Bucknell freshman CK Kumah included.
Though he has just completed his first season with the Bison men's soccer program, Kumah has certainly proved himself as an essential player. He earned a Patriot League Rookie of the Week award and ranked in the top four on the team in goals (4), assists (3), points (11), shots (48), and game-winning goals (2). His clutch plays helped the Bison immensely during the championship season, including an overtime goal against Marquette and an assist less than 15 minutes into Bucknell's 1-0 victory over American in the Patriot League Championship match.
In 2006, Kumah came to the United States to attend The Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, where he succeeded both academically and athletically. In 2006 and 2007 he earned all-state honors and was co-captain with fellow Bucknell freshman Jermaine Jarrett on the 2008 New England Prep School Champions.
I recently had a chance to sit down with CK and ask him about his first year at Bucknell.
Q: How was the transition from Ghana, to the Hotchkiss School, and then to Bucknell?
Kumah: It was pretty straightforward for me because I went to an English school in Ghana. They brought over volunteers from all over the UK to teach us as athletes as well as students. I was quite comfortable with living with people from different cultures so it wasn't a big problem for me at all coming to the U.S. Having friends on the soccer team helped a lot with my transition because the guys were very friendly and willing to help. The hardest part was that in Ghana, we don't take any sciences, but the teachers at Hotchkiss were very approachable and flexible.
Q: What did you learn about soccer in Ghana that has helped you in the U.S.?
Kumah: Soccer in Ghana and the U.S. are very different. Since I went to a soccer school in Ghana, I was practicing every day, but the system over here was very different because the season is only in the fall. Also, soccer in Ghana is very technical, but not as physical as it is in the US. In high school, there were a lot of hockey and basketball players who take guys out and are less technical. That was a bit hard since I'm not a physical player, but I've gotten used to it.
Q: In what ways did the Right to Dream Academy allow you to be at the level you are at today?
Kumah: One thing that the Right to Dream Academy is very good at doing is not only sending kids to different countries to play soccer, but really focusing on school as well. So it gives us opportunities to play soccer as well as go to school. I knew when coming to the U.S., if I didn't get to play soccer, I would still get a good education.
Q: What do you enjoy most about the Bucknell men's soccer team?
Kumah: The most fun part of it is the team bonding. We all share emotions after winning a game and after losing a game. I like that we all come together and try to figure out what to do better, what not to do, and what to improve upon. And that's one very good part about the team because on the Hotchkiss team, there were some kids who were basically just playing for fun. We all have just one goal: to win, to set a record for the school that no one has done before. That's what I'm all about; I just want to do something extraordinary.
Q: Can you talk about your signature move after scoring?
Kumah: I learned the back flip when I was about eight, back in Ghana. It has been a part of my game for a while. The funny thing is when I came over, only two guys knew I could do it, Jermaine Jarrett and Vincent Cinotti. I just wanted it to be a surprise for the team. So when I scored my first goal for Bucknell, I pulled out the back flip. None of them knew where it came from. It felt good because I've always been doing it and I just wanted to do it here to add something to the team. I wanted to show the team that I could do something more than just score goals.