DETROIT (2/17/2020) -- Education has always been important in the Camara family.
 
While now a Doctor in Economics and a professor in the field at both the University of Detroit Mercy and Wayne State University, it wasn't always the plan for Ablaye Camara to further his education after high school. His number one objective was to play soccer.
 
Camara, originally from Conakry, Guinea on Africa's west coast, planned to play professionally after high school and head to Europe, but made a compromise with his father to continue his education, while continuing to play the game he loves in the United States.
 
He landed in Detroit and eventually enrolled at the University of Detroit Mercy, where he excelled in both the classroom and on the soccer field. His prolific soccer career (2001-04) – in which he still ranks second in career goals (36) and points (98) – has earned him an induction into the Titan Athletics Hall of Fame, the third member of the program to be inducted.
 
"It was very humbling for me to be inducted into the Hall of Fame," Camara said shortly after being inducted in late January. "I played with some very good soccer players. I've very happy to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but know that it took some effort from a lot of other people to get me there. I'm very thankful."
 
Camara played soccer on weekends when he first arrived in the states and worked a few different jobs to help pay for living expenses. An ex-player Earl Paris mentioned that he thought Camara was good enough to play collegiately and then-head coach Morris Lupenec and assistant coach Steve Corder got him to enroll at the University of Detroit Mercy.
 
Camara had played soccer early on from a young age as is tradition in Guinea, where, like so many other African nations, it's the most popular sport.
 
"Every kid, as soon as you start walking back home, you are playing soccer," Camara said. "It's the only sport where everyone has access to it. Where I grew up, it was a badge of honor to play. To play on your neighborhood team, you had to be good. We had no facilities at all. You played on the streets, in-between houses, in the backyard of friends. Because of the challenges, you developed special skills."
 
Camara showcased special skills with the Titans, where he was a three-time First Team All-League selection and two-time All-Tournament Team honoree. He helped lead the red, white and blue to 40 wins during his tenure, including 14 wins and an eight-game win streak as a senior with the team reaching the Horizon League Championship in 2004.
 
He says his fondest memories were the wins, especially against the Titans' rival Oakland, and meeting so many different people during his tenure at the University of Detroit Mercy.
 
"You are always making new friends," he said. "I was mesmerized a lot by the type of compassion and help you get from your teammates. I have Canadian friends, American friends. They were very supportive and made my journey easier. I got over the cultural barrier because of them. It's something that I will always cherish. I owe Morris Lupenec and Steve Corder a lot of gratitude. I'm very, very thankful for them.
 
"I was thankful to get a full scholarship, to go through college that way. That helped me – I was able to send some money home for my family while I was working. The University of Detroit Mercy was excellent in all of their mission to me."
 
In the classroom he was a three-time Academic All-District honoree and two-time Academic All-American for the Titans. He earned Detroit Mercy's President's Award as a senior and earned the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award following the conclusion of his career.
 
He graduated with a certificate in business, an MBA from the University as well as a Master's in Financial Economics and later on, a PhD from Wayne State University just down the road.
 
"I owe a lot to my parents, they were always insistent on my education," Camara said. "They always pushed me to get more education. The more you get, the more you want of it, too. As soon as I finished my degree, I figured I'd get my Master's. I learned a lot about Economics and life in general through my education. Now that I'm teaching, I try and give that back to all of the young minds in my classroom. Education has been really good to me."
 
Not only did Camara earn an education in the United States – but his sisters also earned degrees and currently also live in the Detroit area. His family is split between the United States and Guinea, although he still manages to get home about once a year to visit family.
 
"Having a PhD behind my name is something my family is very proud of," he added.
 
Congratulations, Ablaye Camara, on your induction into the Detroit Mercy Athletics Hall of Fame.