As we conclude our Black History Month celebrations, we are proud to highlight the story and legacy of Real Salt Lake midfielder Emeka Eneli. His story and the success that he has earned over years of dedication is one of inspiration and a tribute to his family legacy.
Born in Michigan and raised in Ohio, Eneli grew up in a predominately white neighborhood, with few sharing similar ancestral backgrounds. After graduating from high school in Dublin, Ohio, Eneli then became the first in his family to attend an Ivy League institution. Eneli would go on to graduate from Cornell in 2022 with a major in Biological Engineering and a minor in Business. Pushed by his family to set educational goals high, Eneli exceeded expectations, creating a legacy for himself.
“I moved to Columbus…and at least through third grade I was the only Black person in my elementary school,” Eneli recounted. “You had to excel even more for people to look at you the same,” crediting social pressure along with the prestigious education of his family.
Eneli’s father is an engineer, his mother a doctor, a Michigan State graduate, his older sister studied chemical engineering at Ohio State, and brother studied business at Michigan State.
“They always had high expectations for me education-wise,” Eneli said. “So I aimed highly in that regard.”
Eneli served as captain for Cornell’s soccer program during his junior and senior years, and in four seasons, he made 60 appearances, scoring 20 goals and totaling 17 assists. He earned All-Ivy League First Team and Second Team honors in 2021, and helped his team qualify for the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the first time in almost 30 years.
Beyond his own achievements, Eneli draws inspiration from Black trailblazers who paved the way before him. He points to Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball and Ruby Bridges, the first African American child to attend a formerly whites-only school as figures whose perseverance continues to motivate him.
“Ruby Bridges…her perseverance to get through that is really impressive,” Eneli shared. “It seems like it was a long time ago, but it really wasn’t that long ago.”
For Eneli, their stories are reminders of the trailblazers whose stories began at home. Embracing his roots from Nigeria, Eneli sees his heritage as a significant reason for his success today. His parents emigrated from Nigeria in their mid-twenties and got to work, building their careers in demanding professions and laying the foundation for their future children, all while navigating life in a different country. He is proud of the legacy he comes from and is eager to continue building his own.
“You really have to have perseverance and hard work,” he shared. “And they learned that in Nigeria and brought that with them…so I’ve had that stick with me on and off the field, and in everything that I do.”
As Black History Month highlights stories of progress, Eneli hopes that his journey illustrates that excellence doesn’t require perfection - especially for younger individuals who feel that their efforts are unseen.
“I think I tried to be perfect all the time, but you can’t be perfect all the time,” Eneli said. “I don’t think you should try to aim to be perfect—just try to be the best person that you can be.”
Joining the Claret and Cobalt in 2023, Eneli is looking ahead to his fourth season. The midfielder has made 82 appearances and 63 starts, scoring one goal and logging four assists for the club.
