As part of our introduction to Villanova freshman men's soccer standout Akinjide Awujo, a quick word on his first name.
 
            "I go by Jide," he says on a recent phone call. "It's pronounced 'gee-day'".
 
            For the soccer attuned portion of the Nova Nation, this is a name worth getting to know. Awujo came to Villanova from Atlanta with the kind of intriguing offensive skills that tantalize in an endeavor where goals are forever precious.
"Jide has the skill-set to do very well in our system," says Villanova head coach Tom Carlin. "He is strong, athletic and a good passer. He has the ability to play the 7, 9 or 11 for us."

            The role is one that Awujo has spent much of his young life prepping for. The son of Akin and Shola Awujo – both originally from Nigeria – had been introduced to the game almost as soon as he could walk. Akin Awujo is a huge soccer fan – his preferred Premier League side is Arsenal, while Akinjide favors Manchester United – and that love of the game was quickly absorbed by his son.

        "I played a little baseball," Akinjide Awujo says, "but soccer was our game. I played every chance I got."

            While in the eighth grade, Awujo's potential piqued the interest of representatives of the Atlanta United Academy. He was offered the chance to become part of the Academy and it became his club team during his ninth grade year.

            "It was a learning curve," he recalls. "Right away I could tell that everything was much more serious than the teams I played on before. Every area was covered – training, building up our strength and fitness levels, nutrition. I learned a lot, not just from the coaches, but from the older guys we played with."

            Awujo spent the next season playing for Kalonji Soccer Academy (KSA) before moving on to United Futbol Academy for 2018-20. And, yes, the invitation to compete at the highest levels of club soccer pleased his father.

            "He was excited for me to have that opportunity," Akinjide says now.

"            Of course, he still kept trying to push Arsenal on me, but I stayed loyal to Manchester United."

            Akinjide Awujo's affinity for Manchester United began from afar and grew larger during a family visit to England during his youth. He visited the internationally known club's home pitch at 74,000 seat Old Trafford and has remained loyal in the years since.
            The journey north to Villanova was an idea that took root in 2018. Wildcats' assistant coach Mark Fetrow saw Awujo perform in a winter playoff game. Villanova soon began recruiting Awujo and it quickly became apparent that the interest was mutual.
           
            "I was really intrigued," Awujo says now. "The Villanova Business School is excellent and that got my attention. When you put the soccer experience alongside that, I really wanted to learn more."
 
            Fate, though, had other intentions. At that point, Carlin had not yet seen Awujo play a competitive game in person, a critical component in the evaluation process. Awujo wasn't able to attend an August 2019 showcase event that had been originally targeted to accomplish that. Shortly thereafter, the Wildcats' regular season began, complicating matters significantly.
 
            Finally, the recruiting fates smiled on the Wildcats later that fall. At an event in Florida Carlin was on hand as United Futbol Academy faced Baltimore Armour, a team that included another Nova target, Branden 'BJ' Johns.
 
            "Originally I believe Coach was supposed to be there to see BJ, but he got to watch me as well," Awujo states. "It worked out for both of us."
 
            Following a visit to Villanova, Awujo signed with the Wildcats on Feb. 27, 2020, the first member of the class of 2024 to come on board. Johns later joined him and the two are now classmates hoping to make their respective marks at the college level.
 
            A few weeks after he signed to play in college, COVID-19 brought matters to an abrupt halt at both Villanova and in Atlanta. Awujo's high school classes shifted on-line and formal soccer training ceased. It would be weeks before Awujo was able to resume work with a private trainer connected to the KSJ team he had played for previously.
 
            Despite the unusual circumstances of getting acclimated via Zoom calls, Awujo feels well connected to his new teammates.
 
            "It might sound odd to say," Awujo states, "but those Zoom calls have brought us together. The older guys have been great in helping teach us about the system and what's most important here."
 
            Conditioning and small group workouts tailored to observe COVID 19 protocols under the direction of Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Performance Kevin Miller and the coaching staff have been underway since the fall semester began.
 
            "I wasn't sure how productive these workouts would be before we began," he states. "But they've helped us. Kevin Miller has us doing medicine ball work and other things to build our strength and fitness level. And with all the individual skill work, it really lets you concentrate on technique."
 
            With the regular season pushed back until the spring, Awujo and his fellow newcomers have been able to ease their way into the college experience. Once his college career begins, Awujo hopes to make an impact. Beyond soccer, he has his eyes on a career in some aspect of Business Management.
 
            As the conversation for this story concludes, Awujo is asked if he has anything he to add.
 
            "I just want to say that what I really like about Villanova is how welcoming everyone here is," he says. "You can tell that there is a lot of empathy and that everyone wants to see you succeed. It means a lot."