Our May Alumni Spotlight recognizes Wileyite Nicholas “Nicke” Smith.
Born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, Nicke is a graduate of Huntington High School, class of 1992. Following senior year, Nicke began his collegiate career as a UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Scholar and student-athlete at Paul Quinn College. The following year, Nicke transferred from Paul Quinn to Southern University – Shreveport after receiving a scholarship. After completing the season at SUSLA, Eddie Watson, Wiley College Men’s Basketball Team recruited Nicke to be apart of his starting lineup for Wiley College from 1994 to 1997. Nicke graduated from Wiley in the Fall of 1997 with a B.S. in Biology with a specialty in Microbiology.
Degree in tow, Nicke relocated to Dallas, Texas to begin a career as a Chemist Technician. Shortly thereafter, he recalled his desire to give back to the community and decided to begin working with the Dallas Independent School District in the Summer of 1998. Equipped with his Biology degree and a Composite Science Certification, he has been able to teach most all science-related subjects. While Nicke adores teaching, he could not contain his love for the game so, in 1999, Nicke decided to get back to his passion and re-enter the world of basketball. Nicke was brought on as the assistant coach of the boy’s basketball team at Bryan Adams High School in Dallas, Texas, and held that position until the end of 2001. The following year, he transitioned to Kimball High School where he stayed until 2004. Later the same year, Nicke landed his first head coaching job at Pinkston High School where he stayed for seven years. In 2014, Nicke returned to Kimball High School, but this time as head coach. Under the leadership of Coach Smith, the 2019-2020 Kimball High School boys basketball team ended their season with a 30-7 winning record and were the runner up, 5A State Regional finals team in the championship game! Because of this outstanding achievement, Coach Smith received the honor of 2019-2020, District 12, 5A Coach of the Year in Dallas. Over his 13-year career as a head basketball coach, Nicke has some pretty impressive stats! He has compiled a winning record of 270-140, has had 48 players receive basketball scholarships, with 3 of those players going on to play in the NBA! His motto is, “You can’t stop winners from winning, so we’ll rest in the end and not in the middle”.
In addition to being an outstanding basketball coach, Coach Smith still puts his Biology degree to use by teaching Environmental Systems, Integrated Physics, and Chemistry.
Nicke’s favorite Wiley memory was when the Million Man March was taking place in our nation’s capital and the young men of Wiley College participated by marching from the Wiley campus to downtown Marshall and back.
Nicke says he believes in the importance of giving back to Wiley College because he wants to see future generations grow and thrive. “When an institution of higher learning has financial stability through alumni support, our young men and women will most certainly have a chance to succeed.” Nicke credits Wiley for aiding in his success and thanks the College for its amazing work and all that it does to support our youth.
Nicke is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.