Xavier Philip Norman Girvan
How one Northview athlete’s story of perseverance has inspired those around him
Xavier Philip Norman Girvan, #84 on the field, reflects on his football ambitions.
Photo courtesy of Xavier Philip Norman Girvan
Bedansh Pandey, News Editor
The COVID-19 pandemic has put regular activities such as mandatory in-person learning and full capacity football games to a halt, and yet there are still many at Northview who have never failed to persevere in the wake of this adversity. Xavier Philip Norman Girvan, a senior on the football team, is a piercing reminder of the integrity students at Northview possess.
Dawning the number 84 after school hours, Girvan is a fundamental component of Northview’s varsity football team this fall season. Interestingly, though, this is actually only his second year on the team.
“My first year playing was last year as a junior, and I was a wide receiver on the varsity team,” Girvan said. “Regularly, I used to come in early for weight training, so I lift weights for an hour before school and then after school, I go for about another 3-4 hours.”
However, because football is a close-contact sport that requires the use of gyms and other enclosed spaces, such as locker rooms, there looms an imminent threat of coronavirus spread. Girvan’s routine has undoubtedly changed as a result of this global pandemic. Thus, in the initial days of the season, Girvan was still adjusting to the new schedule but has since become accustomed to it.
“Around when COVID hit, we had our meetings over Zoom to discuss our plays. And then, around late May or early June we got to get back to the weight room and get on the fields to run some plays,” Girvan said. “Now, after online school is over, I have to come to the weight room and we lift weights there for about 30 minutes and then go to the field for about three hours and 30 minutes.”
With regard to the status of the team’s preparation, Girvan explains that, because of how unpredictable every week has become, the team has set a fairly rigid schedule of each of their days, involving a mixture of both online and in-person activities.
“We’re just taking it one day at a time. We watch film over [Microsoft] Teams on Monday. And then during practice, we watch the freshman play the other teams so we can see what the other team will play. And then comes Thursday, where we go through and go over our game plan. After that, there’s Friday where we execute our game plan,” Girvan said.
Girvan is unique in that he is not simply a player on the team–––he’s also an essential part of the social environment and camaraderie of the team. Marcus Godbey, a junior and also a player on the varsity team, discussed Girvan’s abilities and contributions to the team.
“Playing with Xavier has truly been a ride. I've never played someone so focused on improving that they push themselves beyond their breaking point and continue to achieve their goal,” Godbey said. “His passion, focus, drive, and determination– it’s unmatched.”
But aside from his fellow teammates, Girvan’s coach has also recognized his potential. James Thompson, who has known Girvan for almost two years as one of the coaches of the football team, explains that Girvan’s commitment to the craft has been present since the first day of practice.
“Xavier’s a hard worker, he’s become a leader on his team, and that’s a very rare thing from someone who didn’t start until last year.”
“We call our team a family. And I think he understands what high school football means and the importance of relationships. He understands the importance of coach-player relationships and player to player relationships,” Thompson said.
Though the football team is 0-2 as yet, Girvan’s peers and coaches are confident that, with the help of talented players such as Girvan, they will be able to bring home a state championship this season.
“He’s put in a lot of work and effort with [the other coaches], and you can see that paying off right now. On the field, he’s dynamic when he gets the football. Off the field though, is a more important thing– he’s a leader there, too,” Thompson said.
*A spelling error has since been fixed. We apologize for the issue.
