Lycoming College

One of the most memorable inspirational stories in the history of Lycoming College, Abdullahi Abdi was born a Somalian refugee in Kenya that went on to become one of the best soccer players in school history. He moved to Seattle, Wash., before high school and was admitted to Lycoming College during the summer leading up to his first year. He immediately became a key factor on the team, earning the MAC Commonwealth Rookie of the Year award in 2014 and his first of four All-MAC Commonwealth accolades, earning second-team honors in 2014 and 2016 and first-team plaudits in 2015 and 2017. One of four players in program history to earn all-conference honors in all four years of his career, he also became one of three players to earn three all-region selections in his career, earning third-team honors in 2014, second-team accolades in 2015 and a first-team pick in 2017.  The 5-3 Abdi finished his career with 78 points (tied for sixth in program history), 27 goals (tied for seventh in program history), 24 assists (fourth in program history) and 11 game-winning goals (fourth in program history). He led the Warriors to two NCAA Division III Championships, two MAC Commonwealth Championships and three appearances in the MAC Commonwealth Championship final, which helped him establish the program record with 83 caps. In 2015, he scored the biggest goal of his career off a corner kick, lifting the Warriors to a 2-1 win over Dickinson College to advance the team to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16. A four-time MAC Commonwealth Offensive Player of the Week, Abdi received the 2018 MAC Giant Steps Award, given to student-athletes who overcome adversity while still succeeding in life, who use sports as a vehicle for positive social change, who break down barriers to provide opportunities to those who follow behind them, and individuals who inspire us to do great things using the positive aspects of sport.
 
Abdi is a lead teacher for movement at Impact Public Schools in Puget Sound, Wash., and he has a daughter, Zahra Osman. Still active in the game of soccer, he plays on semi-pro teams and was named the MVP of a tournament in Kentucky in 2021. He also coaches the game to youth in his community and he has his own after-school program in Seattle called Read Write that focuses on reading, writing and homework.