 "Photo: Jacqueline Whittman")
Theo Nabassi isn’t your average international student-athlete.
Nabassi came to Texas Wesleyan University from the West African country Togo to earn a master’s degree in accounting and play soccer, and to help make a difference for those he left behind.
Nabassi has worked with the Texas Wesleyan soccer program and athletic department to supply his former teammates in Togo with basic soccer equipment and necessities to enjoy the game.
“Someone’s old cleats here are new to my friends in Togo,” Nabassi said. “No one needs to throw away their soccer stuff because there is always someone who can use it.”
Nabassi collects used soccer gear, such as uniforms and cleats to send back home to a few soccer clubs so they are able to play with proper equipment.
Nabassi said he began his efforts because his friends back home often asked him to help get soccer gear they weren’t able to get on their own. Nabassi said he sends money sometimes, but it’s hard as a full-time graduate student without a job.
Josh Gibbs, women’s head soccer coach, was more than willing to help Nabassi.
“Theo came to us and mentioned that he wanted to find ways he could do more for his friends back home,” Gibbs said. “I offered him our equipment from previous seasons because we were interested in helping him make a difference for the soccer teams in Togo.”
Nabassi has collected cleats by asking players from the men’s and women’s soccer teams to donate any used pair of cleats they no longer use. He has collected about 20 pairs from the players.
Gibbs and Gaspar Martinez, men’s head soccer coach, gave Nabassi equipment that was in the storage closet such as game jerseys, shorts, warm-up jerseys, practice jerseys and socks.
“I wanted to help Theo because he seemed like he really cared about the people back home,” Martinez said. “He told me stories about teammates playing soccer barefoot because they didn’t have any cleats. We just gave him gear that we weren’t using anymore and knew his friends would benefit.”
Kevin Millikan, athletic director, helped Nabassi by donating $300 in shipping for two of the three large boxes sent to Togo.
“Theo is a fantastic student-athlete and a great representative of Wesleyan,” Millikan said. “We had the stuff; it’s for a great cause, and it’s important to give back.”
The gear is sent to Basar in northern Togo. Nabassi said he splits the shipments with Beyakpabe Football Association and Caima Football Club. Beyakpabe FA is a third division team from Nabassi’s hometown. Caima FC is in Lome, the capital of Togo, and is the team Nabassi played with for three years prior to Wesleyan.
According to Nabassi, the equipment for the teams has made a significant impact.
“The players are very appreciative of the generosity and support from Wesleyan,” he said. “They are able to replace their worn out cleats and their uniforms are definitely a lot nicer.
The soccer balls the players use are also worn out, and Nabassi said he is currently working on collecting some.
Nabassi said he is thankful to the Wesleyan soccer program and athletic department.
“Gibbs, Martinez and Millikan have all been wonderful in helping me share the game of soccer with my friends in Togo,” Nabassi said. “I also appreciate all the Wesleyan soccer players who donated their cleats and everyone’s efforts to contribute.”
Nabassi also credits the Wesleyan soccer program, especially Gibbs, for giving him the opportunity to get a degree at Wesleyan.
“I want to share all of the positive things that have come from my schooling at Wesleyan,” Nabassi said. “Wesleyan has done so much for me, and I wanted to share that with my former teammates by giving them quality gear to play soccer.”
Nabassi said he still needs to send the collected cleats, but the expensive cost of shipping is a setback.
To help Nabassi with soccer equipment contact him at Theo9nabassi@yahoo.com.
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