By Mike Foss

Aesop told a fable of the North Wind and the Sun. The two decided to compete with one another to see who was stronger. They decided the challenge would be to see who could remove the coat from a walking traveler passing them. The North Wind bellowed and howled at the traveler, but to no avail; the traveler only grasped his coat tighter. The Sun simply shined brightly, warming the traveler who eventually removed his coat to cool down.

For the past three years, Richard Edgar has been the Sun to my North Wind. I would howl; bellowing through every competition and Richard simply shone brighter. Richard is the first one down to the field and normally the last to leave. He must win everything. Not just games. I've found myself competing against Richard in things as obscure as who cooks the best chili.

Most of us strive to be good. Richard strives to be perfect.

Whether stretching before practice or studying for an exam, Richard takes meticulous care that each minute he spends isn't wasted. That each second is excellent.

It's as inspiring as it is exhausting to behold.

Richard Edgar is tireless.

Yes, he has a nearly flawless academic record. He's captained a George Mason University team to its first conference championship in nearly twenty years. Richard has been an NSCAA/adidas College Scholar All-East Region Team selection. If you can name a list or a commendation for scholar-athletes, chances are Richard has it.

But none of the awards or accolades matter to him. Few teammates know what Richard has achieved in his four years at Mason since Richard seldom mentions any of it.

Richard also seldom mentions that he has diabetes. Few people realize that diabetes can be dangerous or even fatal if left untreated. At the conclusion of a game two years ago, Richard lost his vision briefly in part due to complications of his diabetes.

Richard acted as if going blind after a game was commonplace - like tying your shoes. Never daunted or alarmed, Richard takes everything in stride with a grin and a laugh.

It was John Quincy Adams who said, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."

Richard Edgar is a leader.

One might believe Adams clairvoyantly had the Mason soccer team on his mind when he said those words.

Wedged between two rows of green lockers and above a whiteboard stained with strategy and lineups reads a quote from Henry David Thoreau:

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams."

Richard has inspired dreams, actions and confidence. I've witnessed it; I've benefited from it.

In late September, Mason faced the defending national champion, the University of Maryland, in front of nearly 3,000 fans. The experts never expected Mason to win. I think most believed we wouldn't even keep the match close.

Yet, at halftime Mason found itself ahead 1-0. In the huddle, the team raggedly inhaled and exhaled, shivering with exhaustion, unsure of what was next.

And there stood Richard, in the middle of it all, smiling. He grinned with knowledge that no one else in the huddle had yet realized. Before the second-half kickoff, the team huddled around Richard.

"We've always been capable," Richard said. "It's just another 45 minutes; I'm leaving it all out here."

And he did. And we followed his example, as we always had.

The final whistle sounded the completion of what the experts who didn't think we had a chance called "an historic victory" for Mason.

While players celebrated and fans stormed the pitch, I stood for a second to catch my breath and gather my surroundings. In the midst of the swirling green and gold tempest stood Richard; still smiling, standing calmly and soaking up every second.

For a fleeting moment, Richard savored the achievement - content with success if only for second.