Abel Mickey Watson

Classroom

A communications major and political science minor, A. Mickey Watson has maintained at least a 3.0 grade-point average throughout his career while balancing being a two-year team captain, a member of Loyola’s prestigious Grey & Grey Society and a four-year SAAC and Student Government representative. In building strong relationships with his professors, he has been invited to partake in a summer internship opportunity with the Maryland Civil Air Patrol Public Affairs, through which he gained hands-on experience conducting internal and external public affairs activities.

Character

Since arriving on campus as a freshman, Watson—a two-year captain—has been tasked with changing the culture of the Loyola men’s soccer program. Leading a team that won just two games in his first season, he’s acted as a liaison between the coaches and players throughout his career to build a culture of hard work, responsibility and gratitude. The team has flourished under Watson’s guidance, coming together to win its first-ever Patriot League regular-season title last year. He’s also implemented offseason training and has worked to bridge the gap between not only students and student-athletes, but also student-athletes supporting other student-athletes at games and events on campus. He’s a role model for not only peers on campus, but also youth in the community and anyone with whom he comes into contact.

Community

Watson has prided himself on being active in his community and was recently named to the prestigious Green & Grey Society, a group of seven men and seven women who demonstrate excellence in academic, personal and spiritual integration and a commitment to leadership and service to Loyola. A four-year SAAC and Student Government representative, he’s helped to bridge the gap between students and student-athletes on Loyola’s campus and was selected as a SAAC Co-President in his senior year. As an engaged member of his community, he’s attended various student-leadership conferences, including the National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference, where he advocated for national student funding and met with congressmen and senators to advocate for student-government financial aid, Pell Grant Funding and DACA recipients. He also served as Loyola’s sole representative at the Naval Academy Leadership Conference, where he led panels and discussions regarding the political climate. In addition to working with CCSJ to deliver food to a local church at Thanksgiving and Pipeline Soccer Club to coach athletes with disabilities, he’s also volunteered time with the Alliance for Chesapeake Bay, Living Classrooms Foundation and the Cristo Rey School.

Competition

A four-year starter, Watson was named to the All-Patriot League First Team as a junior and voted to the preseason team as a senior. A defender, he’s scored multiple goals and been instrumental in helping Loyola turn its program around, as the team won just two games in his freshman season and then posted the biggest turnaround in Patriot League history by going from last place to second place in 2016. The squad won its first-ever Patriot League regular season title in 2017 and was voted the unanimous preseason league favorite at the start of the 2018 season.