Temple University Athletics
Star-Spangled Role Model: Friday's Volleyball Match to Feature Assistant Track & Field Coach Shameka Marshall as the National Anthem Singer
10.3.13 | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field, Women's Volleyball
PHILADELPHIA - Already well-known for her athletic abilities and an excellent role model to many, Temple assistant track & field coach Shameka Marshall will be on hand at the Owls' Friday night volleyball match to display one of her lesser-known talents. Marshall, a former music major and life-long singer, will be singing the Star-Spangled Banner prior to the match.
"We're really excited that Coach Marshall is singing the national anthem for us at our conference home opener," said head volleyball coach Bakeer Ganes. "I think it's a great opportunity for her to showcase her talents outside what she usually does as an assistant coach for the track & field team. It's also great for our current student-athletes to see one of their role models excel in something apart from athletics."
Marshall was a two-time All-American in the long jump at Rutgers University, and has also represented Team USA. In 2011 at the Pan American games held in Guadalajara, Mexico, Marshall took silver in the long jump. At the Olympic Trials in 2012, she finished eighth. After graduating from Rutgers in 2006, Marshall spent two years as an assistant coach for the Scarlet Knights before coming to Temple.
Singing has been a part of her life from a very young age. "I've been singing since I was 3 or 4 years old," Marshall said. "Over the years, my sisters and I have sung together. We sang growing up and throughout high school and college- I was always in choirs. I majored in music at Rutgers."
Marshall still has the opportunity to sing every other Sunday with the worship team at her church, but this Friday will be her first time singing publicly at Temple.
"It came up when we were eating lunch with the volleyball coaches one day," recalled Marshall. "Eric (Mobley) might have mentioned that I sing and they asked me to do this sometime and I said sure. Akiko remembered and contacted someone about me singing this week. I'm excited! We're good friends with the volleyball coaches so it'll be fun."
When asked about his assistant coach's hidden talent, Mobley said, "there is nothing hidden about that talent. Her voice is every bit as dynamic as her athletic abilities were."
Mobley and his wife were impressed by Marshall's singing when they got a chance to see her sing one time at a church concert. He is looking forward to others having the chance to experience Marshall's singing ability.
"I'm excited for her to sing Friday," he said, "and to have everybody see that she's not only a superstar athlete and coach, but is also gifted vocally."
