People Make the Difference
The weather might not have cooperated on Xavier Green’s first trip to Midland University, but it did little to deter him from making Midland his new home.
A junior Sports Management major from Houston, Texas, Xavier was greeted with what you might expect when you visit Nebraska in January – a snowfall. “It’s pretty rare for us to get snow in Houston, so at first, I probably wondered what I was doing here. But coming to Midland turned out to be a great decision.”
It was the opportunity to continue his football career that brought Xavier to Midland. In three years, he has become a stalwart on the Warrior defense, finishing second on the team in tackles last year. Xavier’s football career took off during his senior year of high school, prompting interest from Midland. A visit from assistant coach Jared Garcia sealed the deal for Xavier.
But beyond the football field, it’s been his teammates, classmates, and Midland family that have enforced his decision to come here. “Everyone talks about the people here, and you think that might be a facade, but it’s real. The people are what make you want to be here. We have a good team, and that’s important. But what keeps you on a team is the people you are around. The brotherhood of a football team is unmatched.”
Like any freshman leaving home for the first time, it wasn’t always smooth sailing for Xavier. That’s where the support of his teammates took over. “There were a lot of emotions when I first got here, and I was a little scared being so far away from home. But being around the football team is what helped me overcome those fears. Being around those guys all the time is what kept me going. They are my brothers for life.”
That confidence to thrive so far away from home is something he thinks every student should experience. “I would tell someone in my position not to be afraid to get away from home and experience new things. Don’t be afraid to try something new.”
His experience being part of a team has led Xavier to pursue a career in sports, hopefully, somewhere warm. “My dream is to be an agent, but anything around sports would be great. I’d like to be in Arizona or Florida to start, but eventually, I’d like to see different countries.”
Xavier Green is a junior Sports Management major from Houston, Texas. To share your story or nominate a friend, email social@midlandu.edu or post using #FacesofMidland.
