University Southern California Trojans
Players Mentioned
Middle Distances
/ Track & Field
Photo by: John McGillen
Getting to Know Marquis Morris
October 19, 2017 | Track & Field, Features
Senior Marquis Morris is an All-American hurdler for the Trojans, finishing sixth in the 110m hurdles at the 2017 NCAA Championships. Last season he cracked into USC's all-time top 10 in the event with the 10th-fastest time ever by a Trojan male of 13.56 (+2.0). He also ran the leadoff leg on USC's 4x100m relay which placed 10th at the NCAA Championships with the 10th-fastest time in school history. He also ranks tied for third all-time on USC's indoor 60m hurdles list. The following is a Q&A with Morris as he prepares for his final season as a Trojan hurdler.
Q: What is your favorite part about attending USC?
MM: I would say the amount of opportunities that this school offers is ridiculous. When I first got here, I thought I understood how much USC was giving, but as the years progressed and I realized what I was interested in, the doors just appeared and opened out of nowhere. It became apparent to me that this place is amazing. This place has networks beyond belief into many things, some that you didn't even know you were interested in. You realize that this is definitely what I want to do, this is definitely where I want to be. When I first got here, I knew I really liked this school and I have never turned back
Q: What is your favorite part about USC's track and field team?
MM: The camaraderie that we've built over the years. When I first got here, it was a group of us and we came here as a little family and we've been able to add on to that family. We lost some people, but we've gain people as time went on. Families have their issues and kinks, but family is still family. At the end of the day, I wouldn't want to be on any other team because this family works hard, we look out for each other, and we just do what we have to do for each other to see each other succeed. I think that my success is based on the support that my teammates have given me, based on the training partners I've had. Ricky Morgan Jr. and Robert Ford have kept on me saying you have to turn up and do what you have to, to be great and all of us giving that same energy together puts us in the position we're in today.
Q: What made you interested in attending USC and joining the track team?
MM: Coach Caryl for one. She's a trailblazer. Being a woman head coach sparked my attention. Also, her nurturing spirit as well as her almost crazy feeling of wanting to win were a draw. She's the type of person who can switch in two seconds. She can be your mom in one second and the next, your coach who's going to reach down bring take out the greatness you have inside of you, no matter what you do. Before you get off this track, she is going to make sure you are great and sometimes you need that. When I first came here on a visit, she told me how much potential I had. When you're in high school, people tell you that you're great; people tell you how good you are. But she kept saying you have a lot of potential. It made me think 'Potential? I'm thinking, I'm good now, I'm just trying to get better. You're saying you're not even good yet'. The fact that she said that sparked my attention. Everybody always works hard. When I first came here to watch practice, they were dying and something inside of me said 'yes that's how it's supposed to be. You're supposed to be giving your 110% and not being able to walk off the track sometimes. It would scare some people away, but if you really want to be great, it excites you and draws you towards it. She's very smart about what she does and very systematic about her training. She cares about her athletes and want to see her athletes be great.
Q: What is the toughest part of being a student athlete and how do you balance it?
MM: I would say the toughest part is wanting to still be regular student and wanting to experience the stuff like all the rest of the students do, but you can't. You have to give up some stuff if you want to be great. Coach Caryl has always told us there's a time and place for everything. I actually learned the hard way what you could and could not do as a student athlete, but it made me grow as a person. It's this thing that my coach calls the "Triangle of Success." At each point is social life, school, and athletes. Whatever side you focus on, the others are going to get lost a little bit and my coach would always tell me obviously you want to give most to your athletes, but it's your choice on which you want to focus on more: social life or academics. Your academics are going to get you far, so if you focus on that now, you can focus on your social life later. Or you can be good at both. That's been my goal since I've gotten here and I just try to figure it out.
Q: What are some of your personal goals? Team goals for the season?
MM: I want to win a National championship with my team. I believe we can win a National championship with all of the success that everybody's had, all the talent we have on the team right now. I think that we are definitely in the running. Personally, my biggest goal is to be the best me as possible, and the best me is a National champion all around. I've been working really hard doing what I need to do so far this off season, to see the work that I've done come into fruition. So I just want to see myself skyrocket from what I did last year. Last year was a wakeup call for me because it was like, Oh I'm pretty good. I'm not bad. After that, I realized that if I really stick to it and do what I have do, these times are going to drop and I'm going to put myself in a really great position to compete with the best of the best. Hurdles is an event where anything can happen at any time. You could be seeded eighth and come out first. I've seen it too many times where the first seed or the person that's supposed to win buckles a hurdle and comes in dead last. If you get in that final, it's fair game. My biggest goal is to do everything to my best ability at all times, so when I get to that point at the end of the season where it's all or nothing and I'm trying to get it all, it's like clockwork.
Q: How do you stay focused before and during competition?
MM: I try not to think too much because I can definitely do that. I try to stay away from my coaches when they seem nervous because I take on their energy. I try to stay as calm as possible and trust that the work that we've put in is good enough, and focus on myself. Focus on what I have to do, focus on the moves I have to make to be successful for the day because hurdles is a sport of focus. You do the same thing everything single time, but who can do it the fastest, the strongest and not hit hurdles at the same time. If you can harness that, not get nervous and know your training has gotten you to this point and take out that inner dog, you will succeed period.
Q: Who is your inspiration?
MM: Primarily, my mother, but my parents for sure. My parents have given me everything I could possibly ask for even when it wasn't a possibility. They've moved hell and earth to make sure I'm good, even when we weren't good. It's such a blessing to have parents who support you in every single way, go to all your track meets, film everything so you can see exactly what you look like, so you can study yourself to get better. Always have your back when it comes to school track, when you need something they got it for you even if they don't have it. My parents really did everything for me to put me in this position. They really are my biggest motivation. Especially my mother. My mom is the single most important reason that I am who I am. She deserves all the glory because at a couple points she had me and my dad on her back and just ran with it. She didn't say anything; she may have cried a little, but she kept moving. That woman is so strong and I just want to succeed, if not for myself, but for her.
Q: What are your aspirations after graduation?
MM: I have a couple aspirations. My main aspiration is to go pro in track and field. I was talking to a couple of alumni who went pro in track and field they were all saying going pro in track and field is definitely a blessing, but it's also a stepping stone. When you think about it every professional athlete ever is not a professional athlete for their whole life. They have to do something after their career is done and over to support their family...unless you got Michael Jordan money. But even Michael Jordan is being an entrepreneur in his own way. After I go pro and have a fruitful career, I would like to go into event management and marketing. I've actually started my business while I'm on campus and when I really have time to put all my chips in the bowl, I really want to build that business as well as my own brand in whatever aspects, whether that is music, DJ'ing, event management, anything I am very much interested in. Just try to be a well round entrepreneur when I hit the ground running when the time comes to enter the workspace.
Q: You mentioned to you've spoke to alumni about life after sports, what are some of the things you learned from them specifically?
MM: I've learned that life after sports is not as scary as people make it seem. It's a shocking experience because when you do the same sport for some odd years, it's shocking because you've had this routine for so many years. A lot of the alumni tell me it's very possible to transfer what we know as track athletes to the workplace, you just have to figure out how to do it. The focus, determination and the work ethic is something that everybody is looking for and the fact that you can really perform in a stressful environment at all times is something that any work place is going to want and need from a person. The confidence you get from being a track athlete and being a part of those crazy environments, when it is down to you, it is down to the wire and you have to perform, is going to put you at eons ahead of people who have never been in that position.
Q: If you were to talk to a recruit what would you say?
MM: The amount of love and support that USC has for its students. I don't know any other school that loves like USC loves its students, in one way shape or form. There are so many things for students here that will put them ahead of any other person. Whether it be the Trojan family network or the network that's just on campus. The network of students alone is amazing. You could be sitting next to the son of the CEO of a billion-dollar company and you would never know it because that's just how USC is. I think that this place is just a microcosm of great people that you can just tap into but you have to be willing to tap into it. You have to be willing to talk to people, reach out and ask for help. Which is something I didn't realize until my sophomore or junior year. You have to actually ask for help to get it and this school makes you learn that very quickly.
Q: What is your favorite part about attending USC?
MM: I would say the amount of opportunities that this school offers is ridiculous. When I first got here, I thought I understood how much USC was giving, but as the years progressed and I realized what I was interested in, the doors just appeared and opened out of nowhere. It became apparent to me that this place is amazing. This place has networks beyond belief into many things, some that you didn't even know you were interested in. You realize that this is definitely what I want to do, this is definitely where I want to be. When I first got here, I knew I really liked this school and I have never turned back
Q: What is your favorite part about USC's track and field team?
MM: The camaraderie that we've built over the years. When I first got here, it was a group of us and we came here as a little family and we've been able to add on to that family. We lost some people, but we've gain people as time went on. Families have their issues and kinks, but family is still family. At the end of the day, I wouldn't want to be on any other team because this family works hard, we look out for each other, and we just do what we have to do for each other to see each other succeed. I think that my success is based on the support that my teammates have given me, based on the training partners I've had. Ricky Morgan Jr. and Robert Ford have kept on me saying you have to turn up and do what you have to, to be great and all of us giving that same energy together puts us in the position we're in today.
Q: What made you interested in attending USC and joining the track team?
MM: Coach Caryl for one. She's a trailblazer. Being a woman head coach sparked my attention. Also, her nurturing spirit as well as her almost crazy feeling of wanting to win were a draw. She's the type of person who can switch in two seconds. She can be your mom in one second and the next, your coach who's going to reach down bring take out the greatness you have inside of you, no matter what you do. Before you get off this track, she is going to make sure you are great and sometimes you need that. When I first came here on a visit, she told me how much potential I had. When you're in high school, people tell you that you're great; people tell you how good you are. But she kept saying you have a lot of potential. It made me think 'Potential? I'm thinking, I'm good now, I'm just trying to get better. You're saying you're not even good yet'. The fact that she said that sparked my attention. Everybody always works hard. When I first came here to watch practice, they were dying and something inside of me said 'yes that's how it's supposed to be. You're supposed to be giving your 110% and not being able to walk off the track sometimes. It would scare some people away, but if you really want to be great, it excites you and draws you towards it. She's very smart about what she does and very systematic about her training. She cares about her athletes and want to see her athletes be great.
Q: What is the toughest part of being a student athlete and how do you balance it?
MM: I would say the toughest part is wanting to still be regular student and wanting to experience the stuff like all the rest of the students do, but you can't. You have to give up some stuff if you want to be great. Coach Caryl has always told us there's a time and place for everything. I actually learned the hard way what you could and could not do as a student athlete, but it made me grow as a person. It's this thing that my coach calls the "Triangle of Success." At each point is social life, school, and athletes. Whatever side you focus on, the others are going to get lost a little bit and my coach would always tell me obviously you want to give most to your athletes, but it's your choice on which you want to focus on more: social life or academics. Your academics are going to get you far, so if you focus on that now, you can focus on your social life later. Or you can be good at both. That's been my goal since I've gotten here and I just try to figure it out.
Q: What are some of your personal goals? Team goals for the season?
MM: I want to win a National championship with my team. I believe we can win a National championship with all of the success that everybody's had, all the talent we have on the team right now. I think that we are definitely in the running. Personally, my biggest goal is to be the best me as possible, and the best me is a National champion all around. I've been working really hard doing what I need to do so far this off season, to see the work that I've done come into fruition. So I just want to see myself skyrocket from what I did last year. Last year was a wakeup call for me because it was like, Oh I'm pretty good. I'm not bad. After that, I realized that if I really stick to it and do what I have do, these times are going to drop and I'm going to put myself in a really great position to compete with the best of the best. Hurdles is an event where anything can happen at any time. You could be seeded eighth and come out first. I've seen it too many times where the first seed or the person that's supposed to win buckles a hurdle and comes in dead last. If you get in that final, it's fair game. My biggest goal is to do everything to my best ability at all times, so when I get to that point at the end of the season where it's all or nothing and I'm trying to get it all, it's like clockwork.
Q: How do you stay focused before and during competition?
MM: I try not to think too much because I can definitely do that. I try to stay away from my coaches when they seem nervous because I take on their energy. I try to stay as calm as possible and trust that the work that we've put in is good enough, and focus on myself. Focus on what I have to do, focus on the moves I have to make to be successful for the day because hurdles is a sport of focus. You do the same thing everything single time, but who can do it the fastest, the strongest and not hit hurdles at the same time. If you can harness that, not get nervous and know your training has gotten you to this point and take out that inner dog, you will succeed period.
Q: Who is your inspiration?
MM: Primarily, my mother, but my parents for sure. My parents have given me everything I could possibly ask for even when it wasn't a possibility. They've moved hell and earth to make sure I'm good, even when we weren't good. It's such a blessing to have parents who support you in every single way, go to all your track meets, film everything so you can see exactly what you look like, so you can study yourself to get better. Always have your back when it comes to school track, when you need something they got it for you even if they don't have it. My parents really did everything for me to put me in this position. They really are my biggest motivation. Especially my mother. My mom is the single most important reason that I am who I am. She deserves all the glory because at a couple points she had me and my dad on her back and just ran with it. She didn't say anything; she may have cried a little, but she kept moving. That woman is so strong and I just want to succeed, if not for myself, but for her.
Q: What are your aspirations after graduation?
MM: I have a couple aspirations. My main aspiration is to go pro in track and field. I was talking to a couple of alumni who went pro in track and field they were all saying going pro in track and field is definitely a blessing, but it's also a stepping stone. When you think about it every professional athlete ever is not a professional athlete for their whole life. They have to do something after their career is done and over to support their family...unless you got Michael Jordan money. But even Michael Jordan is being an entrepreneur in his own way. After I go pro and have a fruitful career, I would like to go into event management and marketing. I've actually started my business while I'm on campus and when I really have time to put all my chips in the bowl, I really want to build that business as well as my own brand in whatever aspects, whether that is music, DJ'ing, event management, anything I am very much interested in. Just try to be a well round entrepreneur when I hit the ground running when the time comes to enter the workspace.
Q: You mentioned to you've spoke to alumni about life after sports, what are some of the things you learned from them specifically?
MM: I've learned that life after sports is not as scary as people make it seem. It's a shocking experience because when you do the same sport for some odd years, it's shocking because you've had this routine for so many years. A lot of the alumni tell me it's very possible to transfer what we know as track athletes to the workplace, you just have to figure out how to do it. The focus, determination and the work ethic is something that everybody is looking for and the fact that you can really perform in a stressful environment at all times is something that any work place is going to want and need from a person. The confidence you get from being a track athlete and being a part of those crazy environments, when it is down to you, it is down to the wire and you have to perform, is going to put you at eons ahead of people who have never been in that position.
Q: If you were to talk to a recruit what would you say?
MM: The amount of love and support that USC has for its students. I don't know any other school that loves like USC loves its students, in one way shape or form. There are so many things for students here that will put them ahead of any other person. Whether it be the Trojan family network or the network that's just on campus. The network of students alone is amazing. You could be sitting next to the son of the CEO of a billion-dollar company and you would never know it because that's just how USC is. I think that this place is just a microcosm of great people that you can just tap into but you have to be willing to tap into it. You have to be willing to talk to people, reach out and ask for help. Which is something I didn't realize until my sophomore or junior year. You have to actually ask for help to get it and this school makes you learn that very quickly.
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