Today's Chanticleer Alumni Spotlight showcases Marisa Kovacs, a member of the Coastal Carolina men's tennis team from 2000-03.

A four-time All-Big South selection, Kovacs earned first-team honors in 2000 and 2003, and second-team accolades in 2001 and 2002. She was named the 2000 Big South Freshman of the Year and both the 2000 Soccer Buzz National Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year for first-year programs. 

She played in and started 73 matches over her four-year career at CCU, tallying eight goals and three assists from her defensive position. 

For more information on Marisa, please continue reading the Q&A below.

1. Where are you living now and what are you doing?
I currently live in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and I am going into my fourth season as the head women's soccer coach at Saint Mary's University.

2. Did you know you always wanted to do what you are doing professionally?
At University, I thought I wanted to be a sports psychologist (and some days it feels like I am) but once I played under coach Karrie Miller I realized I wanted to stay in the game.  After playing at CCU and the W-League, I started coaching collegiately at the University of West Georgia.

3. How did your time as a student and student-athlete at Coastal Carolina prepare you for your career and life after college?
Coastal is the reason I am where I am. Coastal gave me the confidence and competency to go on to pursue my coaching career. You learn so many life lessons as a student-athlete at Coastal and I try to bestow those lessons to my players. When recruiting, I say I had some of the best years of my life playing collegiate soccer and that's what I want for them. Hey, if you can get through preseason - you can get through most anything life can throw at you.

4. When was the last time you had been to campus? How has the campus changed?
I was actually on campus for the first time in about ten years in 2018 with fellow alumnae Gretchen Farrell (Shock 2000-2004) and Caroline Brandt (Schneider 2000-2004) and was blown away by the development and professionalism of the school. Coastal has grown so much and it's a testament to all the administrators, coaches, and supporters that bleed teal and know what a special place 100 Chanticleer Drive East really is! I had such a great time. I brought my husband and son to visit on a family vacation last summer.  We had the pleasure of sitting down with coach Paul Hogan to discuss the program. I couldn't be prouder of the direction coach Hogan has our program going. He is helping develop amazing young women that will go out into the world and do extraordinary things and I know a championship is on the horizon!

5. What originally attracted you to Coastal as a student-athlete?
The people, the beach, liberal arts university with small class sizes, and the idea of being a member of the inaugural team. It was an amazing experience starting in the first-ever Coastal Carolina University women's soccer game and a memory I will cherish forever. On a side note, Gretchen Farrell (Shock) was the first-ever goal scorer for the women's program and my college roommate!  GO COASTAL!!!

6. What are some of your most memorable moments from your time as a student-athlete at Coastal?
As a member of the inaugural team, we had a full roster recruiting class and every single player on that team was and is like a sister to me. The bond we made at Coastal still resonates in our lives today and our experiences and time at Coastal created that — you don't get that at all Universities but CCU is special. My most memorable moments always include my teammates and we can thank teammate Tiffany Turner (2000-2004) for making us each a memories scrapbook at graduation as a reminder of those times. I know we are all so thankful for Captain Scrappy!

7. How often do you keep in touch with your former teammates?
I keep in touch with my former teammates quite often — some I talk/text every few days, some every few months. Last year during our vacation, I got together with a few of them and their families. We connect via social media as it's a great way to share our lives even when we are scattered across North America. This year marks 20 years of starting the women's soccer program at Coastal and we are all very proud of the small part we played in its inception.

8. What are some things you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my husband and son.  My son Maxson is four and loves sports so my husband and I joke about where he is going to play in university. My husband played football and baseball at Florida State but Maxson already runs around the house sporting his Coastal shirt so I think it's a shoo-in.

9. What advice would you have for the current student-athletes at Coastal?
Enjoy it. I know it's cliche but don't take a minute for granted because in a blink of an eye you've graduated and are on to the next chapter of your life. Give it everything and more because you will reap the rewards and there is nothing more satisfying than accomplishing goals you've set out for yourself and your team both on and off the field. The TEAL NATION is strong and supporting you from across the globe — never forget that. What I would give for one more year of eligibility; I'd even run the Cooper Test and I know all my teammates feel the same (well maybe not the Cooper Test part). You have within you the power to leave a legacy — what will it be?



To view other Chanticleer Alumni Spotlight Features, CLICK HERE.