Journeys with Jocelyn - Marquita Armstead
By Jocelyn Gates, Vice President at TurnkeyZRG
I’m excited again to highlight an absolute superstar in this business – who also happens to be one of my best friends! Marquita Armstead is currently the Executive Associate AD/SWA at Nebraska with oversight of Men’s Basketball and Volleyball. She is a member of the Big Ten Sport Management Council, and has oversight of athletic medicine, sports psychology, the athletic performance lab (NAPL), strength and conditioning, performance nutrition, Title IX and gender equity.
Prior to Nebraska, she also served in various leadership positions at the University of South Florida, Georgia Tech, and UT Chattanooga.
The first thing I think about Marquita as an administrator is her love, concern, care, and compassion for the student-athlete and their well-being. Her purpose is to make sure they not only have a great experience, but for them to be the very best person they can be.
Marquita is a wife to Demetric and mother to Braylon, She is also an amazing friend and mentor to so many. She is a VERY proud alum of Mississippi State University and one of the very best people in the industry.
Why did you get into college athletics?
I was always passionate about athletics and knew I wanted to have a career doing something related to it. When I was young, I was not exactly sure how that would materialize until I did an internship with the compliance department at my alma mater. I enjoyed working in Compliance because that is one area that touches everything within the athletic department, and it allowed me to learn so much. I am very proud of my path and would not trade the experiences for anything.
As an administrator, did you face any barriers as you were growing the business? If so – how did you work through those?
Yes, there have been barriers, but I have kept persisting. I think working hard and being a good teammate has also helped me overcome whatever obstacles I faced. I am a firm believer in being faithful and diligent in my current position and trusting that things will work to my benefit in the end. Having that belief system has served me well.
We all know the saying “it takes a village”. Can you tell us about the importance of your village in college athletics?
My village is filled with people that I can trust with anything. They have seen the good, the bad, and the very ugly, but they stick in with me continuously. I can’t express how much they mean to me. They have helped me persist in the industry during the hard times, and they are always there to help me celebrate the great moments.
What is your proudest moment, so far, since working in college athletics?
My proudest moment in athletics has been seeing many of the student-athletes I have worked with graduate, find their careers, start families, etc. I have been able to stay connected with many of them over the years and they are amazing people who have built very successful lives. It is good to know the work we did played a very small part in who they became.
What advice do you have for young administrators trying to break into college athletics?
I always encourage young people to make real connections with those who they admire or want to emulate. I am big believer in providing mentorship, access, and opportunities, so I always encourage those trying to break in to find opportunities that resonate with them, and then seek out those who are currently excelling in that area.
Get to know you:
Favorite food? Shrimp Boil
Favorite song? Song Cry, Jay-Z
Favorite thing to do outside of work? Travel with my family
Best professional opportunity you have taken part of? NCAA Leadership Institute