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Sports history is happening at Florida Polytechnic University.
The local university in Lakeland just hired local Nikki Jessee as the first head coach of its women’s basketball program, according to a press release.
Mother of Lakeland Christian basketball player Rudi Jessee, the Lakeland native started with Florida Poly earlier this year as an academic success coach and said the chance to help launch women’s basketball was one she couldn’t pass up.
Jessee: Lakeland Christian coach Jessee to be honored by Rollins
Sports for local college: Florida Poly in Lakeland will add several sports, open play in 2026
“I started here because I knew we were going to start athletics, so I was hoping that something would open up,” Jessee said. “I’ve been in college athletics, specifically basketball, my whole life, and it was intriguing to start something literally from ground zero.”
Before Florida Poly, Jessee was a star player for Lakeland High School in the 90s, a recruit for the Florida Gators, a primetime player at Rollins College, and the head coach at Lakeland Christian School as well as Warner and Saint Leo universities. She also helped turn around teams at Lynn University and Martin Methodist College.
Florida Poly’s athletic director Derek Lower said Jessee is the perfect fit for the university’s new program.
“Nikki is a phenomenal coach with a proven record of building up programs and creating championship-caliber teams,” Lower said. “She has a strong focus on student success and building relationships with every member of her team.”
Jessee said working on campus before becoming a coach gave her a better understanding of what makes Florida Poly unique and the kind of student-athlete who will be successful at the institution of higher learning.
“I’m thankful because my time as a success coach helped me understand it is a different type of university,” she said. “When we say high academics and STEM university, we really mean it.”
This academic focus molded her recruiting approach hands down. Jessee said she looks first at whether prospective players have the right character for Florida Poly’s arduous STEM environment. Then, and only then, will it be about how they can contribute on the court.
“The first thing I ask when I get information on a player or I see someone with potential is what are they interested in studying,” Jessee said. “We can’t just take anybody; I want to make sure they can also make it academically.”
Right now, recruiting is already underway. And Jessee said she is inspired by the early response. As the team comes together, she will zero in on establishing standards early, cultivating a culture of excellence and responsibility.
“If you’re not good off the court, you’re not going to be good on the court,” Jessee said. “How you do anything is how you do everything.”
This next step is a part of the process of the Lakeland school adding intercollegiate programs in men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Florida Poly names Nikki Jessee as women's basketball head coach
Continue reading...
The local university in Lakeland just hired local Nikki Jessee as the first head coach of its women’s basketball program, according to a press release.
Mother of Lakeland Christian basketball player Rudi Jessee, the Lakeland native started with Florida Poly earlier this year as an academic success coach and said the chance to help launch women’s basketball was one she couldn’t pass up.
Jessee: Lakeland Christian coach Jessee to be honored by Rollins
Sports for local college: Florida Poly in Lakeland will add several sports, open play in 2026
“I started here because I knew we were going to start athletics, so I was hoping that something would open up,” Jessee said. “I’ve been in college athletics, specifically basketball, my whole life, and it was intriguing to start something literally from ground zero.”
Before Florida Poly, Jessee was a star player for Lakeland High School in the 90s, a recruit for the Florida Gators, a primetime player at Rollins College, and the head coach at Lakeland Christian School as well as Warner and Saint Leo universities. She also helped turn around teams at Lynn University and Martin Methodist College.
Florida Poly’s athletic director Derek Lower said Jessee is the perfect fit for the university’s new program.
“Nikki is a phenomenal coach with a proven record of building up programs and creating championship-caliber teams,” Lower said. “She has a strong focus on student success and building relationships with every member of her team.”
Jessee said working on campus before becoming a coach gave her a better understanding of what makes Florida Poly unique and the kind of student-athlete who will be successful at the institution of higher learning.
“I’m thankful because my time as a success coach helped me understand it is a different type of university,” she said. “When we say high academics and STEM university, we really mean it.”
This academic focus molded her recruiting approach hands down. Jessee said she looks first at whether prospective players have the right character for Florida Poly’s arduous STEM environment. Then, and only then, will it be about how they can contribute on the court.
“The first thing I ask when I get information on a player or I see someone with potential is what are they interested in studying,” Jessee said. “We can’t just take anybody; I want to make sure they can also make it academically.”
Right now, recruiting is already underway. And Jessee said she is inspired by the early response. As the team comes together, she will zero in on establishing standards early, cultivating a culture of excellence and responsibility.
“If you’re not good off the court, you’re not going to be good on the court,” Jessee said. “How you do anything is how you do everything.”
This next step is a part of the process of the Lakeland school adding intercollegiate programs in men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Florida Poly names Nikki Jessee as women's basketball head coach
Continue reading...
