SVEN ALSKOG
Staff Writer
Hailing from the Czech Republic, men’s basketball graduate assistant coach David Marek has brought his knowledge to the Bengals over the last two years.
From 2008 to 2010, Marek was a member of the Czech Republic national team, all while playing professionally overseas as well. The first place that the three-point specialist ventured following his collegiate career at Southern Utah University was Spain.
The professional league there is known as one of the best in Europe and among the best in the world. Following that first year, he then headed back to the Czech Republic, prior to venturing into Slovakia for his final professional season.
While at SUU, Marek had the opportunity to play under his current boss, Bengals head coach Bill Evans, while earning his degree in physical education. The chance to coach at ISU with a man that was so instrumental in his basketball career could not have been a better one.
“Coach Evans recruited me to SUU and I played under him there for two years,” said Marek. “Here at ISU working with him every day and learning from him and the other coaches has been great. I am trying to be a sponge and just continue learning.”
The experience of working with ISU’s head basketball coach has been a dramatically different one than playing under him as a Thunderbird.
“I always knew that he was a great guy,” said Marek. “But working with him every day for around 10 hours, there is a lot more socializing. You get to see a different side.”
Collegiate basketball in the states allowed Marek to be discovered by professional leagues such as the one in Spain.
According to the graduate assistant coach, he had the opportunity to play against current NBA players such as Ricky Rubio, while participating in one of the highest levels of basketball that there is.
It has been a well-traveled life for the Czech native, with experiences in the professional leagues and on the national team allowing for the opportunity to see a large portion of the world.
“My favorite places are France and Italy,” said Marek. “I have been able to see most of Europe. When you are on the national team and in a group of six countries, you travel to all six.”
The first time that Marek moved to the United States was when he was 18, going to Laurinburg Prep in North Carolina. There he helped lead the team to a 40-0 season on their way to being crowned national prep champions.
“I prefer living in the United States,” said Marek. “I like the people here and the culture and I have had great experiences. I enjoy coaching and it is my goal to continue coaching basketball.”
As a graduate assistant at ISU, Marek is pursuing a master’s degree in athletic administration.
“I have to take nine credits per semester,” Marek said. “The program here at ISU makes it doable with my job because most of the classes are either at night or online.”
On the court, the hope is to see continued improvement for the Bengals.
“I believe we will be better this year than we were last,” said Marek. “It is all about improving and eventually becoming Big Sky champs. Everyone improved over the summer.”
To reach their goals, each player will need to follow the lead of Evans and the rest of the coaching staff and live by the motto of “drinking the Kool-Aid.”
“It is our coach’s philosophy to have the players buy into the program,” said Marek. “They need to be all-in and believe in the coaching staff.”
With the chance to continue gaining experience working under a veteran coaching staff at ISU, the former Czech national team member looks to make the most of the opportunity and help bring the Bengals back to the top of the Big Sky conference.
