“Finishing His Story“
After years of persistence, senior Preston Crisp is finally finishing his story. Earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree will conclude a journey shaped by multiple institutions, personal trials, growth, and determination鈥攐ne that ultimately led him to the 海角社区, a place where he felt he belonged. With graduation on the horizon, Crisp hopes he has made an impact that will inspire others to finish their own stories.
Crisp, a guard on the Mariner men鈥檚 basketball team, will soon cross the commencement stage with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in interdisciplinary studies. His collegiate journey began at East Georgia State College, where he earned multiple associate degrees, followed by time at Coker University. When his son, Kayden, was born, Crisp stepped away from college but remained determined to one day complete his bachelor鈥檚 degree. When the opportunity to return to school arose, his choice came down to Savannah State University, near his home in Savannah, or Coastal Georgia.
鈥淚 could have stayed home and been close to everybody, but before I came here, Coach Jesse Watkins (former head coach of the College鈥檚 men鈥檚 basketball program) made a big impact on me. Coach O (Keith Olive, assistant coach for men鈥檚 basketball) made a big impact on me as well during my visit to campus.鈥� Crisp said. 鈥淐oach Watkins tried to recruit me to play here previously. When I was doing my visit with Coach O, the College seemed like a good place where I could fit in right away. I came here to play basketball, but I also came here to complete my degree. It was the best of both worlds, and that鈥檚 why I chose Coastal.鈥�
Crisp is a student-athlete who truly puts being a student first. He has been recognized academically at previous institutions and was named to Coastal Georgia鈥檚 President鈥檚 List for spring 2025. To qualify for the President鈥檚 List, a student must earn 12 or more credit hours, or six or more credit hours in the summer, in courses at the 1000 level or above and achieve a term grade-point average of 4.0. He credits his parents with instilling a strong work ethic early on. When he is not practicing, he is focused on coursework and working ahead in his classes.
鈥淏eing an athlete anywhere鈥攏ot only at Coastal鈥攜ou can get lost. You鈥檙e busy practicing, you have an assignment due tomorrow, something comes up, and suddenly you鈥檙e struggling. Now you鈥檙e in a situation where you鈥檙e failing a class,鈥� Crisp said. 鈥淵ou need to have good work ethic on and off the court. I was always taught that the ball is eventually going to stop bouncing. If you do what you鈥檙e supposed to do in the classroom, you鈥檒l have your degree to fall back on.鈥�
Crisp also believes in the importance of making a positive impact on others. He strives to lead by example for his teammates and fellow students, saying Coastal has provided opportunities to do so in meaningful ways. Last Halloween, the men鈥檚 basketball team went downtown to create gift bags for children in need. In February, Crisp, fellow seniors Derrick Harris, Isaiah Edden and Aamir Mack, along with men鈥檚 basketball Head Coach Tim MacAllister and Assistant Coach Adam Sizemore, partnered with Iguanas Seafood Restaurant on St. Simons Island for the restaurant鈥檚 Month of Giveaways event. As part of the initiative, Iguanas gave away tickets to a basketball game. They went live on social media, announcing the winners, and helped promote the basketball program.
Through these experiences, Crisp hopes to build a legacy of impact. As he looks beyond graduation, he is considering two primary paths鈥攑laying professional basketball or becoming a Division I collegiate basketball coach.
鈥淚 want to be able to impact kids on a different level,鈥� he said. 鈥淭eaching them things I wish I would鈥檝e known growing up and giving back time I wish I had.鈥�
Crisp is considering becoming a graduate assistant for a collegiate basketball program as a first step toward coaching. He would eventually like to work at an institution in California, drawn by the warm weather, proximity to the beach, and closeness to family. At the same time, he is actively pursuing the opportunity to play professionally and is in the process of securing a sports agent.
鈥淚鈥檝e talked to my coaches, and they believe I can go pro,鈥� Crisp said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e told me, 鈥楯ust enjoy it and don鈥檛 stop playing.鈥� I still love the game, so I鈥檓 working on getting an agent and hopefully landing somewhere that allows me to live out my dream.鈥�
Crisp is also open to playing abroad and looks forward to the possibility of experiencing new cultures and meeting new people.
Coastal Memories on and off the Court
Crisp credits the College鈥檚 student resources鈥攕uch as tutoring services鈥攁nd the open lines of communication with faculty for supporting his academic success.
鈥淎nytime I鈥檝e needed help or had a situation come up, I鈥檝e been open and communicated with my professors, asking for extra time,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 feel like Coastal has been good to me on and off the court. Everybody is nice, and everybody wants you to succeed. It鈥檚 been good.鈥�
One of Crisp鈥檚 favorite professors is Dr. Matthew Mosley, associate professor of hospitality and tourism management. When Crisp first enrolled at the College, he majored in hospitality, tourism and event management, with a concentration in sports management. Mosley served as his instructor for one of his courses, which Crisp said he enjoyed. Even after Crisp switched his major to interdisciplinary studies, Mosley continued to check in with him whenever they crossed paths on campus.
鈥淗e was always cool鈥攁lways talking to me and keeping me engaged,鈥� Crisp said. 鈥淲henever we see each other, we speak. He always says, 鈥楪ood luck on the game.鈥� Yeah, he鈥檚 pretty cool.鈥�
On the court, one of Crisp鈥檚 favorite moments this season came in a against Georgia Gwinnett College. The Mariners defeated Georgia Gwinnett 91鈥�88, with Crisp hitting the game鈥憌inning 3鈥憄ointer at the buzzer. With the game tied as time expired, Crisp caught a pass from Braden Wood and sank the shot, sending the Mariners鈥� bench into celebration.
鈥淭hey were the No. 25 team in the nation, and we beat them,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 probably my favorite moment.鈥�
Whatever Life Throws
Through his journey, Crisp has learned the importance of adaptability when life brings unexpected challenges. He credits his experiences with helping him become more flexible and resilient.
鈥淚鈥檝e been through so much from when I first got to college until now. I tell people my story and encourage them not to give up. Don鈥檛 give up, because you鈥檒l live with regrets,鈥� Crisp said. 鈥淚 made a lot of serious choices after I had my son. I left school and paid the consequences because it was hard to get back into school. Never give up. I feel like through it all, God has given me a lot of opportunities to continue my dream.鈥�
It is a dream that Crisp now gets to share with his son. Balancing fatherhood, academics, and athletics has taught him the importance of being grounded personally so he can show up for his son and be the best father possible. Kayden is always on his mind, and Crisp appreciates the support he receives not only from family and friends, but from his coaches as well, who regularly ask about his son. This past season, Kayden attended Crisp鈥檚 home games, watching him play. Soon, he will watch his father achieve another milestone鈥攅arning a bachelor鈥檚 degree.
鈥淭here鈥檚 always going to be something that comes your way,鈥� Crisp said. 鈥淏ut if you believe in God and believe that God has you, then I think you鈥檒l be OK.鈥�
Assistant Coach Keith Olive described Crisp as a remarkable individual whose character extends far beyond what people see on the court.
鈥淭hose on the outside only see him as a talented basketball player. I have gotten to know him over the past few years and realized that the world has no idea how great of a person, student, and athlete he is and has become,鈥� Olive said. 鈥淭he obstacles and barriers he has faced while still being a high-achieving student and player deserves praise. I am grateful to not only know Preston, but to be a part and witness his journey, which has been truly inspiring. I am a forever-changed person by knowing him.鈥�
When times get tough鈥攑articularly in the classroom鈥擟risp encourages students to stay focused and think about their futures. He advises them to remember their 鈥渨hy factor,鈥� the motivation behind pursuing a college degree, and to seek help when needed.
鈥淩ight now, school will always be there,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f you wait until later, when life gets harder, it will be tougher to go back. If you鈥檙e in it, just go ahead and finish. I took time off, and I wish I had stayed and completed. Who knows? Life may have been different, but I鈥檓 happy with my life, and I鈥檓 looking forward to graduating.鈥�
As Crisp prepares to graduate, his degree represents more than an academic milestone鈥攊t stands as proof that progress is not always linear. His return to college after time away speaks to resilience, growth, and a deeper sense of purpose. By finishing what he once had to step away from, Crisp is reclaiming a goal on his own terms, showing that it鈥檚 never too late to start again or to finish strong.
Outside of school work and basketball, Crisp enjoys spending time with his family and loved ones, listening to music, and connecting with friends.
