Q&A With Tulane Basketball's Marc Siegel
Jan 22, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 2, 2002
Marc Siegel joined the Green Wave last season after literally being drafted from Tulane's intramural gym. He played in 13 games as a walk-on freshman as the Green Wave competed with just nine total players on its roster, the least in Division I. This season, he is back for the Green Wave, once again adding depth to the Tulane backcourt.
Most memorable experience in athletics: Probably the first time I stepped on the floor, playing college basketball, which was for the first exhibition game last year. That had been a life-long goal of mine, and it did not seem possible for most of my basketball career, and then all of a sudden, one day I got to play college basketball. There I was in front of a couple thousand fans. I didn't make a shot, but it sure felt good to be able to walk out there.
If you could play another sport at Tulane, it would be: Football, I am a big football fan, but my dad never let me play as a little kid, he was afraid I would get hurt, so to spite him [laughing], I would like to put some pads on and hit some people.
What would you like to do after you graduate? Like I said before [business world/stock market]. I would also like to go to graduate school and I have some aspirations of maybe getting a PhD. in economics and see where the world goes from there.
Are you a music fan? Yes, my music interests have changed since I came to school, because of all of the different music in New Orleans. I have definitely started to like jazz a lot more and I like seeing all the local bands. That is probably my biggest social outlet. When I go out on the weekend, I am going to go to some music club, whether it is a small place like the Dragon's Den, that can only fit 50 people, or if it's Tipitina's or any big venue. I like to go out and see different kinds of music.
What is the last concert you went to? The last concert I went to was the North Mississippi All Stars at Tipitina's. They're a band from Mississippi. They are pretty much a rock band, but they mix elements of blues and jazz. It was a pretty good show.
Why did you choose Tulane? First of all, it is far away from home, and second, it has warm weather. I thought when I went to college I wanted to, not start over, but I wanted to be away from everything I was a part of for the first 18 years of my life. I lived in Chicago, I wanted to come to a different environment, a different culture, meet new people, and really have no connection to my past. I wanted people to know me for who I am, not for my reputation or anything like that. I just wanted to start anew and get a different experience in college, because I think that's what it's all about.
What is your personal philosophy? "Live Each Day To Its Fullest." Take what's in front of you. I try not to save myself at all. If there is an opportunity for me to take, I'm going to take it. Sometimes life is short, as it tragically seems. I want to make the best of my short time here on earth.
What has being a Tulane athlete taught you that you wouldn't have otherwise learned? It has taught me the rigors of college athletics. When I was growing up, I just thought they [college athletes] just played games. I just thought college basketball players suited up and got on the court. Now I realize there is 20-25 hours of preparation each week that goes into it. I realize how tough of a life it can be. You do not have a lot of free time, you're always working hard and you don't get much of a break until the season ends.
Favorite TV Show: The Simpsons. I've been watching that ever since I was a little kid and I still try to catch it every afternoon at six after practice and then again at 10 o'clock.
What actor would you most like to see in a movie: I like Kevin Spacey a lot. My favorite movie is probably "The Usual Suspects." I thought it was a really intelligent movie and it kept me in suspense and it kept me guessing the whole movie. I just think Kevin Spacey is a really good actor, everything he does, I seem to like.
Favorite Food: It has probably changed into something southern. I would say gumbo or jambalaya or something that I had never had before I came down to school.
Dream Vacation Destination: I would like to see Africa sometime. My sister actually spent three months studying over there and she told me how great it was, so I would like to see that for myself.
People you would like to thank: Definitely my father. I thank him for everything. He has pretty much raised me, especially these last nine years after my mother passed away. It has been just me and him and my sister, and she wasn't there sometimes, because she went off to college. He has been the biggest influence on my life and I thank him for everything I have, for everything he gave me to make me a better person. There is no way I can repay him and I wish I could.
