LaGuardia Community College proudly welcomes Marquee Poole as its new Athletic Director.
Mr. Poole brings a proven record of excellence from his tenure as Assistant Athletic Director at Hostos Community College, where he was instrumental in ensuring NJCAA and Region 15 compliance while fostering a culture of academic success and graduation for student-athletes. He partnered with Hostos’ Health and Wellness Department to expand mental health resources and outlets, supporting the holistic well-being of every athlete.
His leadership extended far beyond compliance and academics, as he coordinated impactful community service initiatives such as the Walk for a Cure in Central Park, the Hunts Point Alliance Back-to-School Drive, the Turkey Giveaway with EEP Law serving the Washington Heights community, and the Toy Giveaway with Dyckman Youth Enterprises. He also volunteers personally with the iMentor program in partnership with the Department of Education, underscoring his deep commitment to mentorship and service.
With this experience, Mr. Poole is poised to be a vital leader for LaGuardia’s athletic programs. His vision, dedication, and passion for student-athlete success will be instrumental in elevating LaGuardia Community College Athletics to new heights.
Marquee Poole was named head coach of the men's basketball program at Hostos Community College on July 1, 2014 and entered his eleventh season at the helm of the Caimans in 2024-25 winning Back-to-Back CUNYAC Championships, and another NJCAA National Tournament appearance in the 23-24 season.
Known as one of the “Good Guys” in New York City basketball, Coach Poole has a vast background as a player, coach and mentor. Coach Poole has not only proved himself as winner on the court all those seasons, but more importantly he has mentored countless student athletes and has helped place more than 100 student athletes in four year schools including many on athletic scholarships combined with Hostos and his community AAU programs.
The 21-22, 22-23, 23-24, and 24-25 campaigns was exceptional and successful years for Coach Poole and his Caiman squad posting a 86-37 overall record while leading his team to his Fifth CUNYAC Tournament Championship and Fourth appearance in the Region XV championship game. Under Poole's mentorship freshman and sophomore's have been Players and Rookie of the year almost every year; in addition to ALL Region, All- American Honors, CUNYAC All Academic Team members, and CUNYAC All-Stars. Coach Poole has captured multiple CUNYAC - Coach of the Year, NJCAA Region XV Coach of the Year, and District Coach of the Year in his career.
The 20-21 season was unfurtautely canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 2019-2020 tilt was one of Coach Poole's more successful in his career posting the most wins in a single season in his career with 27 wins against 7 loses. The Caimans captured both the CUNYAC Championship and the Region XV title sending the Caimans back to the NJCAA National Tournament for the second time in Coach Poole's tenure and fourth time in program history. Korey Williams was named Region XV Player of the Year and was a first team NJCAA All-American and signed a full athletic scholarship at Lincoln University and Reggie Quezada was named all Region XV first team.
The 2018-2019 season was a successful one for Coach Poole posting an overall winning record of 17-13 including a 6-2 mark in the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) winning the regular season title and making an appearance in the CUNYAC Championship game. Coach Poole was also named CUNYAC coach of the Year and sophomore guard Nakeem Hamilton was named an NJCAA All-American and moved onto to DII Mercy College on a full athletic scholarship.
2017-2018 was a rebuilding effort for Coach Poole as he added five freshmen to the team which were the foundation for future success of the program. With a young squad Coach Poole was able to guide them to a regional semifinal appearance and a winning 5-3 record in the CUNYAC.
The 2016-2017 season was a banner year for Coach Poole and the Caimans as they posted an overall record of 15-12, a 6-4 record in the CUNYAC and an appearance in the Region XV semifinals. Also, sophomore guard Jemal Smith was named a first team NJCAA All-American and moved onto to play at DII powerhouse Virginia Union University on a full athletic scholarship.
The previous season, 2015-2016, was a special one for Coach Poole as he posted an 8-2 record in the CUNYAC winning the regular season championship. Coach Poole was also named CUNYAC Coach of the Year and sophomore Jefferson Francios was named CUNYAC Player of the Year. Jefferson Francios would also go onto play at DII Mercy College on a full athletic scholarship.
Coach Poole’s first season as the Head Coach at Hostos was a memorable one. His 2014-2015 squad would post a 19-17 overall record and went on the win the Region XV Championship defeating CUNYAC rival BMCC in the Championship Game to earn a trip to the NJCAA National Tournament. This regional championship was the third regional title in program history. At nationals Coach Poole would continue to coach his team to success as they would defeat Herkimer Community College in the National Quarterfinal before falling to Richland College (TX) in the Final Four. Coach Poole also had great success with this team placing his sophomores at scholarship level schools with four members of this team going onto play at both the DI and DII level on full athletic scholarships. Khalil Jackson and Jahkeem Folks would both go onto play at UDC and Myron Hickman would go onto play at Dowling College while Gabriel Agorioge would suit up to play at D1 University of Buffalo.
Coach Poole would join the Hostos Caiman Men’s Basketball Program in 2013-2014 as an Assistant Coach. This season was another successful chapter in the history of Hostos Men’s Basketball as Coach Poole would help mentor a squad that posted a 26-5 overall record and won the CUNYAC regular season and tournament championship. Coach Poole was also instrumental in player development including CUNYAC Player of the Year and NJCAA All-American Tyree White who would move on to play at DII Queens College on a full athletic scholarship.
Prior to his time at Hostos Coach Poole spent over a decade working in the criminal justice field working with at risk youth. Coach Poole also serves as the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance for the Hostos athletic department. A Harlem native, Coach Poole played his prep ball down the street from “The Swamp” at CHSAA power house All Hallows High School where Coach Poole was an all NYC CHSAA player. Coach Poole earned his bachelor’s degree in 2002 from St. Bonaventure University where he was a four-year letter winner for the Bonnies Men’s Basketball team
