Always a Flyer. 

The University of Dayton athletics communication department is writing feature stories on former Flyer student-athletes. If you or someone you know is an alumni and competed for a Flyer varsity team, please email formerflyers@udayton.edu with the person's name, sport played and current professional position. 

In honor of World Health Day, our first Flyer alum feature is on Isaac Kissi, former UD men's soccer player and currently a registered nurse. Read below on his experiences as a Dayton Flyer, and his current role on the front line battling COVID-19.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Isaac Kissi, a 2009 University of Dayton graduate, recently started a new job as a registered nurse in Buffalo, N.Y. and has had little time to settle in as he, along with his peers, combats the COVID-19 virus.

A former men's soccer player at the University of Dayton, Kissi helped the Flyers to an Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship in 2008 and an A-10 Regular Season Championship in 2009. His breakout season came in his final year with the Flyers when he scored nine goals and combined for 22 points to lead UD.

He went on to be a MLS SuperDraft selection by Chivas USA in the MLS. Kissi went on to play professionally before multiple knee injuries forced him to make a tough decision: have another surgery and long road to recovery, or hang up the cleats for the next part of his life.

During the injuries, he was inspired by the medical staff to help others the way he was helped. Kissi went back to school to become a nurse.

As a contract nurse, Kissi has worked at multiple hospitals, most recently down in Fayetteville, N.C. He just recently moved to Buffalo to begin a new position.

He now serves as a registered nurse and is aspiring to become a nurse practitioner.

It's first responders like Isaac Kissi that make the University of Dayton, the athletic department, and the men's soccer program proud. His selflessness is admirable and crucial in times like these.

Despite the heavy weight of his job and the current pandemic, Kissi was kind enough to reflect on his time at Dayton and his journey in life.  

Favorite soccer memory at UD?
My favorite memories at UD include scoring my first hat trick against UMASS and winning the A-10 championship.
 
Favorite overall memory at UD?
Scoring my first goal in the first game of the season as a flyer. The transition from Ghana to UD was a challenging one but the goal signified that I was going to be ok.
 
Your journey to UD, experience during, and steps to where you are now.
I was playing at the University of Ghana, Legon when the then assistant coach, Paul Sauders, recruited me. He saw me play on his last day in Ghana, enjoyed what he saw and asked if I wanted to come to America. I was honored and excited. The preparation was not easy but worth it. The men's soccer program at UD is amazing. From Coach Currier to other superheroes like Ms. Vera Gomes, who stay in the shadows but do amazing work with student-athletes, I say thank you. I lucked out and was able to play professionally after school but one amazing factor of my journey is helping other student-athletes from Ghana come to UD and have life changing experiences, from George Amoh to Lalas Abubakar, who plays in the MLS now.
 
After three-and-a-half seasons playing professionally, life changed with two knee surgeries. Tough recovery, both physically and mentally, but it looked like God had a different calling for me and I feel blessed to be RN and an aspiring NP.
 
Closing thoughts?
In regards to the pandemic, I hope we continue to put measures in place to limit many dying and also protective measures/equipment for us/frontline workers. Please stay safe and stay home.