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Davian Gumbs

Men's Soccer Marisa Witte - Athletics Communications Assistant

Turning Chance into Opportunity: Davian Gumbs’ Path to NMU Soccer

 MARQUETTE, Mich. -- Davian Gumbs wasn't looking for a soccer coach when he found one's lost ID card. In fact, he was close to hanging up his cleats entirely.

Four years ago, Gumbs, now a senior defender on the Northern Michigan University men's soccer team, wasn't sure he wanted to continue playing soccer in college. Ready to move on from the sport, he began his college search and was drawn to NMU's construction management program and the beauty of the Upper Peninsula. 

But during a campus visit with his family, fate and a chance encounter changed everything.

While visiting the NMU Soccer Field, Gumbs stumbled upon a lost ID card belonging to men's soccer head coach Alex Fatovic. Gumbs returned it and mentioned his interest in joining the soccer team.

The two stayed in touch over the following months, and Fatovic eventually offered him a spot on the roster as a walk-on. For Gumbs, the opportunity to play was an added bonus to a college he already saw himself attending. 

"I really loved the area of Marquette and the Upper Peninsula. It's beautiful up here. So that was the main draw, and then soccer was the cherry on top that I was able to get offered a spot on this team and be at a school that I also love," said Gumbs.
 
Soccer has been a central part of Gumbs' life for as long as he can remember. He grew up watching his father's side of the family play soccer and eventually followed suit alongside his younger brother, Tegan, now a freshman goalkeeper at  Purdue University Fort Wayne.

"I've been playing soccer since I could walk. My mom always said that I didn't walk; I got up and ran. So I've basically had a ball on my foot since I was little, and it's just second nature to me."

Gumbs looked up to NBA legend Kobe Bryant while growing up, admiring his work ethic and drive to be the best, qualities he tries to bring to the field himself.

"I think that he embraces a great mentality of 'if you want it, go get it,' and 'you need to work for it.' I've kind of adopted his ideas, and he just really resonates with me. He always wanted it more than everybody else, and I think that's just something that I've felt too."

This competitive mindset has followed Gumbs throughout his time at NMU. In 2024, the Wildcats were last in the GLIAC and missed the postseason tournament. In 2025, Davian helped lead the Wildcats to its first GLIAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. In 2026, Davian has now become a critical piece of the Wildcat defense, bringing energy and grit to left back. 

"When I committed, Coach Alex had just taken over the program, and he was trying to turn it around. So, having been with him through these years and turning a struggling program into a championship-caliber team has been really cool. We've faced a lot of things as a team together, but now we've hit that high, and we still want to keep going."

This season, Gumbs has tallied 1,326 minutes across 16 games, anchoring the Wildcats' back line. Gumbs has started in all 16 matches, only missing one game this season due to injury, and his total minutes is third among NMU field players. 

 
NMU finished the regular season second in the GLIAC (7-3-2), just behind first-place Saginaw Valley State University (7-1-4).  With the regular season complete, Gumbs and the 'Cats aspire to build on last year's momentum with another GLIAC title and NCAA Tournament berth.

"We've developed this 'us versus everyone' mentality where we don't care what other people think. We're just going to keep playing. Doesn't matter about the referees. It doesn't matter about the coaches. It doesn't matter about the other team. Whoever's in front of us, we're going to look at you, and we're going to beat you."

What started as returning a lost ID card turned into a spot on the roster, a conference championship and four years of valuable lessons and memories. Gumbs, now in his senior season, is glad he took the leap, even when he wasn't sure he wanted to keep playing. 

"I just wanted to prove myself and to be able to have a chance, and Fatovic gave me that chance, and I haven't looked back since. I'd like to thank him for taking that chance on me and helping me out as a player and as a person too."
   

Next up, the Wildcats play in the Semifinal round of the GLIAC Men's Soccer Tournament at SVSU on Friday, Nov. 6, in search of a back-to-back GLIAC Tournament Championship and trip to the NCAA Tournament. Fans can find the full NMU men's soccer schedule here, stay in touch by keeping up to date at nmuwildcats.com, and subscribing to the official NMU Men's Soccer social media channels. 




 
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Players Mentioned

Davian Gumbs

#15 Davian Gumbs

D
5' 8"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Davian Gumbs

#15 Davian Gumbs

5' 8"
Senior
D