THIBODAUX – The Nicholls State University athletics department is mourning the loss of former Colonel men's basketball center Cedric Marie whom passed away in his sleep at his home in Paris, France on October 6, 2010.

Marie was the men's basketball program's first foreign student-athlete, and is only one of two French born players in the program's history.  The only other French born men's basketball player in the program's history is current Colonel student-athlete #Jordane Ganapamo#.  Marie earned his bachelor's in '99 and his master's in '01.

“Cedric was well-loved and made a lot of friends during his time at Nicholls. He was a true pleasure to be around, and a very pleasant young man,” said former men's basketball head coach Rickey Broussard who coached Marie.

“His contributions went well beyond the basketball court as he was an excellent student. I remember when he would go into the game that people would have special chants for him and the crowd would go crazy. People loved him, and always pulled for him to succeed.”

Marie, 36, was also a member of the 1997-98 Southland Championship squad that finished 19-10 overall and 15-1 in league play that went on to compete in the NCAA Tournament.

Born in Relun Senart, France, Marie stood 7'0” tall and wore No. 45. He is survived by his wife Dalila Carvallo Marie, his 2-year old son Adrien, and his newly born son Seraphin who was born on Saturday, September 25. Dalila also holds a master's degree from Nicholls that she earned in 2000.

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