San Diegan Graduates from Duquesne University

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Nick Floyd graduated May 10, 2014 from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. Nick attended Trinity Lutheran Elementary, Bayview Baptist Nubia Academy, San Diego, and Lemon Grove Middle School. He graduated from Grossmont High School in June 2008 and two years later from Southwestern Community College, Chula Vista, CA. He was highly recruited by the university. Duquesne, is an elite, coveted private Catholic school with exceptionally high academic standards.

Two of the school’s most notable alumni are former LA Lakers Guard, Norm Nixon, and the late Charles (Chuck) Cooper. Chuck was a Navy veteran who served during WWII. After his discharge from the Navy he enrolled at the institution of higher learning. He was a consensus All American all four years, leading the team in scoring and rebounding. He was the first African American along with Nate (Sweetwater) Clifton and Earl Lloyd to be drafted and play in the NBA. Chuck was drafted in 1950 by the Boston Celtic where he played for several years.

Nick has excelled academically and athletically since the eighth grade. At Grossmont, he participated in the basketball and football programs, and played on both sides of the ball. In his senior year, he was one of Grossmont’s top defensive backs and lead the conference in receiving. He was also a standout corner back and safety at SWC, and also served as co-captain his second year. After playing two years and graduating from SWC he felt that he was lacking the proper support and recommendations to advance to the next level based on his performance. Nick obtained film highlights of his best plays over a two year period, produced a HUDL featuring these plays, and marketed himself. His efforts paid off. He received numerous full scholarship offers from top tier schools, including the University of Hawaii and Ole Miss.
Nick entered Duquesne as a junior and was red-shirted for a year due to injuries. He will be returning as a 5th year senior in August and has been accepted into the university’s Masters program. Nick’s family considers him an Alpha male, who is a hard hitter. He loves contact. “He is very intelligent, aggressive, writes and speaks well. Nick is dedicated, determined, and focused. He possess an exceptional high football IQ. He trains and work hard. If the Lord be (is) willing and the creeks don’t rise he should be a high NFL draft choice in 2015, and realizes his dreams of playing in the NFL,” they say. Those that support Nick’s efforts have stressed taht he not put all of his eggs in one basket. If all else fails, Nick hopes to return to San Diego upon completing his Masters and work to tutor and mentor young Black and Hispanic males. He is also contemplating a career as a Naval or Air Force officer. He has the full support of his family in any endeavor that he chooses. This young man is a devout Christian who worships and prays daily. He is a member of Bayview Baptist Church, San Diego. He is the son of proud parents Nate and Pamela Floyd, and the brother of Andrea Floyd. His grandparents are: Mrs. Mary Brown of Meridian, MS and Retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Jimmy and Ms. Doris Jones-Lovett who is also a Navy veteran.