THE JOURNEY OF AUGIE BOADI: BUT GOD
If you were watching my life as a documentary, the first episode would be called "But God".
That phrase alone carries the weight of everything I’ve lived through. There have been so many moments where the odds were stacked against me. Where the next step looked impossible. But God made a way. That’s how this all started—and that’s why I carry those words with me. They’re not just part of my story. They are the reason I have one.
I fell in love with soccer on the streets of Adankwame, Ghana. We didn’t have fancy fields or expensive cleats. Just a ball and a dream. In my village, soccer isn’t a hobby. It’s part of who we are. When a game is on, the whole community shows up. When you shine, you’re celebrated like a hero. When you don’t, people let you know. That culture gave me a hunger to be great. To stand out. To carry something bigger than myself every time I stepped on the field.
That drive took me to Putnam Science Academy, then NMH, Boston College, St. John’s, and now Bryant. I’ve seen a lot of places. But NMH changed me the most. Their philosophy of educating the Head, Heart, and Hand stuck with me. They didn’t just teach us how to think. They taught us how to care and how to lead.
But what people don’t see are the quiet battles. The self-doubt. The pressure to carry a whole story with you into every game. I’ve always been hyper-aware of what I do, how I move, and who I surround myself with. That’s led to moments of isolation. Long nights replaying every touch, every mistake. But those moments? They built me. They sharpened my focus and taught me discipline. They reminded me why I started.
College soccer moves fast. Everything is accelerated—from the speed of play to the academic demands. I blinked and I was a senior. That urgency taught me to be more present. More intentional. I started showing up to every practice, every class, every team meal with a different kind of focus. I’ve learned to appreciate all of it.
But not everything was smooth. When I transferred to St. John’s, I realized early on it wasn’t the right fit. There was a cloud over that place—you could feel it. I remember someone asking me why I came, saying they were trying to get out. That stuck with me. I hit a low point. I had to decide: stay and settle or leave and bet on myself. I chose the risk. I leaned into my faith, trusted my gut, and leaned on my family. That decision gave me my second wind.
If I wasn’t playing soccer, I honestly don’t know where I’d be. Soccer gave me everything. It brought me closer to God. It gave me an education. It helped me build relationships and find purpose. It gave me a platform to give back.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the work we’re doing with Sankofa Vision, a nonprofit my host family and I started. Last year, we built a borehole in Adankwame to give families access to clean water. This year, we’re working on a second water system and building a learning center in Esaso. This isn’t charity. It’s love. It’s about bringing hope to places that deserve more. It’s about remembering where I came from and honoring it through action.
If you're reading this and you feel overlooked or uncertain, I’d say three things: believe in God, work hard, and trust the process. Sometimes the right people aren’t watching yet, but when they do, you want to be ready. Stay ready, stay humble, and don’t stop believing. believe in God, work hard, and trust the process. Sometimes, it’s not your time yet. But that doesn’t mean it won’t come. Stay ready. Stay humble. Keep building.
Looking ahead, I want to finish my degree, win with Bryant, and sign my first pro contract after graduation. But just as important, I want to keep using my platform to inspire kids in Ghana and around the world to chase their dreams and continue projects that make life better back home.. But just as important, I want to keep using my platform to inspire kids in Ghana and around the world. I want them to see what’s possible. I want them to know that no matter how far away your dream feels, with faith and work, it’s never out of reach.
Learn more at:https://www.sankofa.vision/
