Q&A With Track and Field's Tahira Wiggins
May 19, 2005 | Track & Field
May 19, 2005
NEW ORLEANS, La. - Tahira Wiggins is a New York native who graduated from Lincoln High School in 2001 and is now wrapping up her fourth year as a member of the Green Wave women's track and field teams. She has earned all-conference recognition seven times during her career. After primarily competing as a sprinter in her first three seasons, she has seamlessly made the transition to the 800-meter run in 2005 and is Tulane's top performer in that event.
What has been your most memorable experience as a Tulane student-athlete?
"Running at a meet in New York. I got to go home and my friends got to see me, and that was one of the times I ran really well in college."
What made you choose Tulane?
"The weather. I wanted to go far away from home, somewhere that was hot and that was also a good school."
What were some of your other options for school?
"East Carolina, George Mason and several local schools. I didn't really look at any of the other schools after I came to see Tulane."
What is your major?
"Psychology and education."
What do you plan to do with your degree?
"I want to become a first grade teacher and possibly a psychologist later on."
Do you plan on doing that right after you graduate or are you planning some time off?
"I'm going to definitely take some time off. I want to audition for some Broadway shows, I'm really interested in the arts. I mostly like dancing, but if acting comes up that will be an option, too."
Did you do a lot of acting and performing in high school?
"Oh yes, my school was a performing arts magnet school. I have been involved in the performing arts a lot and have been in dance lessons my whole life."
What do you like to do in your free time?
"Hang out with my friends."
What is your favorite part about living in New Orleans?
"I like the city itself, but I really enjoy zoo. I go over there fairly often."
If you could play any other sport at Tulane what would it be?
"Tennis. I tried it for a while and took some lessons but never really had time with track."
Do you have a personal philosophy?
"Be happy and stay true to yourself."
What's the best advice you've ever been given?
"My mom always told me to be true to myself and who I am, and that everything else would come along."
Who has been the most influential in your athletic career?
"Definitely my high school coach, Arnold Shell. I was always fast as a child and he always pushed me to do things, and told me to stay in track. I didn't work in high school or play any other sports because he had told me that track would get me a scholarship to college and it did. He's always been there for me and still is. He's waiting for me to come back home to be an assistant coach. Being an assistant coach for the track team is something else I will do when I go back home."
When did you start competing in track?
"I didn't start until I was in the eighth grade."
Who is your favorite teacher?
"Eva Gitlin, she's an adjunct professor who is at Lusher Elementary School. She was great."
What class would you recommend to other students?
"I'd recommend most of the psychology courses or all of the education classes. I love my major and I love all of them, and I can't focus on just one!"
What is your favorite movie?
"I like a lot of movies .... The Five Heartbeats, Clueless, Shrek 2, Shrek and Chicago are some of my favorites."
Is there a cartoon character that you resemble?
"I can't think of any. I'm a crazy person and I like to laugh a lot, but I don't think there are any that really resemble me that much."
If you could have dinner with any three people in history, who would they be and why?
"My grandmother, my dad's mom, because everyone tells me that I'm like her and that we would have a great time together, but I never had the chance to meet her. I'd also like to meet Harriet Tubman. And for the last person I'd pick LL Cool J, I've liked him since I was in like the first grade."
What is your favorite professional sports team?
"Any New York team, I'm partial to the Yankees and the Knicks, the Giants and the Jets."
What was the last concert you attended?
"Alicia Keys and John Legend at the beginning of March."
If there was a movie made about your life, who would be case as you?
"Sanaa Lathan because everybody says that I remind them of her."
What is your favorite food?
"Fettuccine alfredo or fondue."
Where is your dream vacation destination?
"I'd really like to go to Spain."
Have you ever traveled abroad or to any exotic places?
"I've been to France and Mexico. I like France the best, my mom speaks a little French so it was OK that I don't know any."
How has being a student-athlete at Tulane helped you?
"I've gotten a lot more organized since I've been here. I'm tired when I get back from practice and feel like I never have time to do everything, so I've learned a lot about time management."
Is there anyone you'd like to thank?
"I would like to thank Marilyn Sauls, Angel Dooley Jill Green because without them I probably wouldn't have made it through school. They have been really great friends, and I appreciate that. And of course my parents and family."
Players Mentioned
