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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
NSU Alumni Spotlight: GEICO ALUMNI ATHLETE OF THE MONTH- Marquise Kiffin
Marquise Kiffin, Assistant Coach
Former Nova Southeastern University men’s basketball player and current assistant coach Marquise Kiffin is February’s Geico Alumni Athlete of the Month.
Kiffin instructs players during time out.
Kiffin has been a part of the men’s basketball staff since 2002, immediately after completing his four-year career with the Sharks. He has already received both his undergraduate bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s in business administration, and is currently back in the school getting a second MBA in marketing. That’s right, the elder statesman of the program (even longer than current head coach Gary Tuell) is technically a graduate assistant.
“Going back to school is a new challenge,” said Kiffin. “You forget what it’s like to write papers and read textbooks. Your perspective is a lot different the second time through; you’re actually enjoying the learning process as opposed to just trying to get through it.”
Kiffin played for the Sharks from 1999-2002. He is now in his 14th season, having assisted Tuell for 12-plus years now.
“Transitioning from a player to coach was extremely difficult for me,” said Kiffin. “I was always the life of the party, a social butterfly. So changing into an authoritative figure with players, who were my teammates the year previously, was hard. I was caught in limbo … I wanted to coach but still wanted to party with my friends. Luckily as they started to graduate and I became more focused, it became less of an issue.”
The former St. Thomas Aquinas star and MVP was versatile on the floor at NSU.
“As in everything, we always think we were better than we really were,” he said. “I was a good player due to my mind and heart, not my athleticism or skill level. I was a tough kid who enjoyed the little things like taking charges, guarding, just playing hard. I was a jack of all trades, which allowed me to play every position on the floor.”
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