Coached by Marvin Green and Derrick Folson, the team goes about their business without much fanfare, but with results that dictate their dedication to perfection. Green said he likes the title of “undisputed champion.” The team participates in the two notable college intramural championships on a yearly basis to remove any doubt that Simply Marvelous is the best in the nation. The grueling championship schedule calls for the team to compete in championship tournaments on back-to-back weekends.
The teamwork is something Henry Ford would admire. Coupled with the strategies implemented by the coaches, the recipe for success has been refined to perfection. In the two recent championship games, they were not scored on, blanking Angelo State 39-0 in the ACIS championship game and 28-0 in the NIRSA championship.
College intramural teams from all across the country fight it out in state championships before being allowed to compete in the national championship. An example of the diversity in schools who competed in the national championship are Old Dominion, University of Nebraska, Northern Iowa, Texas State, University of Central Florida, Howard University, Southern University and Georgia Southern.
Green is also a mentor taking the opportunity to teach the young women about life, relating it to their competitiveness. He is the current director of Student Activities and the golf coach at FAMU. Green first began coaching the team when he was assistant director of FAMU Campus Recreation.
Assistant Coach Folson is also a FAMU police officer. To get the team ready for tournaments, they have been known to play against male teams.
“(Robert) Bob Carroll encouraged me a few years ago to play in some national championship tournaments,” Green said. “We had success on campus and locally, but he felt our squad was good enough to go on to national competition.” That was in 1996.
Carroll is the director of FAMU Campus Recreation and is proud of the team. "What that team accomplished is what is expected of them," Carroll said. “Coach Green has a game plan that is second to none. Anytime you've been to the top, you expect to get there. The fact that they have continued to excel is phenomenal.”
Erika Collins, a junior quarterback/defensive back, was inducted into the ACIS Hall of Fame on Dec. 30 in Pensacola, Fla. She is the team's leader and has set several standards in national championship play. To summarize the strength and growth of this team, Collins was moved to receiver in the ACIS National Championship Game, turning over quarterback duties to freshman Christina Mattis. Mattis performed solidly at quarterback and is poised to represent the future of Simply Marvelous.
Tynequia Roberts, a senior on the team, went out with a bang, earning back-to-back championships.
"I'm extremely proud of what our team has accomplished," Roberts said. “What a great bunch of girls. I learned a lot about leadership and being dedicated to a team. I learned sisterhood, patience and respect.”