My Carolina Experience: Marcus Ginyard

by Zoya Johnson, GoHeels.com

Having spent most of his life in the Washington, DC area and attending high school in Arlington, Va., the fact that Marcus Ginyard grew up a fan of Atlantic Coast Conference Basketball is not a surprising one.

The only challenge presented when it came time to pick a school would be where to go. That decision was made very easy when he decided he did not want to stay too close to home and even more so when Roy Williams offered him a full scholarship.

Ginyard came to Carolina in 2005 knowing he had access to not only a championship college career and guidance for his professional goals, but also to a university that cultivates overall excellence. Having finished high school as a National Honor Society member and National Merit Scholar, the education Carolina provided was something he intended to take advantage of.

By the time he graduated in 2010, Ginyard had been the Student Athlete Advisory Council President, acquired a double major in communication studies and sociology, and contributed to a National Championship Team. Ginyard had experienced what it was like to seize the opportunity to truly embrace the Carolina way and excel in as many things as he could.

The only thing that could have made Ginyard's career at Carolina any more complete would have been the ability to don a jersey and play alongside his fellow teammates in the 2009 NCAA Tournament since injury had prevented that.

Regardless, his role as a leader, motivator and teammate remained one of great importance to the success of UNC's 2009 national championship team.

Remembering that year he states, "I turned into the biggest cheerleader, supporter, encourager, and played a big part in working the guys as hard as possible in practice to help them be at ease during competition."

This newfound voice and purpose earned Ginyard the team's most inspirational player award in the post season.

Although his career did not finish the way he would have hoped it would coming into college, Carolina had still given Ginyard the tools he needed to realize his dream of playing professional basketball.

Now in his fourth year abroad, the headline of Marcus Ginyard's story is one of a nation torn against itself instead of opposing teams. This March Ginyard was forced to leave the Ukraine and his team due to the country's impending social unrest.

"In February, tensions that began to rise in November of 2013 began to boil over. More than 80 people were killed in protests that turned violent in Kiev. The basketball season was cancelled indefinitely, and the international responses to the situation weren't promising. The U.S./E.U. seemed to be building a wall against Russia, and neither side looked to be backing down."

He continues to say, "I was afraid, and I didn't want to stay around to see if things would get better." This was for the best as doing otherwise might have cost him his life. "A little more than a month later, almost 20 people were killed in Mariupol, where I played. It's an unfortunate situation for the country of Ukraine, and my heart goes out to all the people there. I hope that there will be a peaceful resolution sooner than later."

Despite the intensity of his situation Ginyard is still able to put the experience into perspective. "Looking back now, it's incredible that I was in Ukraine as the country began a revolution, overthrew its government, and prepared to hold elections to change its country for the better. It's sad that things got out of control and spiraled into something best labeled as civil war. I will always look back on this situation with a heavy heart, but will never forget what I have been able to experience."

Ginyard's recent experience has been one that not even he saw coming. It was, however, one from which he was fortunate enough to be able to rebound quickly. Since leaving the Ukraine Ginyard has been picked up by the reigning champions of the Polish Basketball League, the Stelmet Zielona Góra.

"A lot of people have a vision of 'success' that is strictly linear, and without any obstacles. I think the biggest thing I could tell someone is that continuing to move forward is what really matters. Remember what it is that you want, and push every day for it, no matter what happens. You don't want to be on the doorstep of your dreams and that be the day you give up."

Being a player abroad can be a scary and intimidating circumstance but Ginyard feels that his time at Carolina helped him attain the skills necessary to succeed despite any situation.

"Carolina helped me to feel comfortable chasing my dreams to be a professional basketball player. I was able to become a better basketball player of course, but I found ways to better myself as a leader with the Carolina Leadership Academy, and found a support system that allowed me to transition more easily into the professional world."

Ginyard also had this to say in reference to his Carolina experience, "I attribute a great deal of my personal growth to my time at Carolina. Coach Williams does an amazing job of improving basketball players, and young men. We were taught responsibility, hard work, communication, team work...the whole nine. The beautiful thing about sports is that it translates to life in so many ways."

Despite being far from campus living out his dreams as a professional basketball player, Ginyard remains a proud part of the Carolina family.

"Every day, I continue to represent the university as an alum. Every day I'm proud to have graduated from UNC, and I believe that the university is proud that I represent them. UNC gave me an incredible opportunity, and it is my responsibility to represent them with honor and respect. I can look in the mirror every day and know that I hold up my end of the deal."

A sentiment that can only be understood by those who have had the opportunity to be a part of an organization as deeply rooted as UNC and embrace it wholeheartedly in all that they do.

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