UMO’s Tariq Talley Sees the Game from Every Angle
February 10, 2026
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
MOUNT OLIVE – For Tariq Talley, sports have always been part of the rhythm of life. Long before college, before majors and internships, there was always a season to prepare for and a game to play.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Talley attended Towson Law and Public Policy High School and grew up in a single-parent, ex-military household. He credits his mother with shaping the values that continue to guide him. “Some of the values my mother instilled in me were always respecting people and being grateful for everything you have,” he said, lessons that continue to influence how he approaches both academics and athletics.
Those who know Talley best would describe him as confident, funny, and adaptable, qualities that align with his steady work ethic. Sports became part of his life early on, shaping much of his childhood. He began playing soccer and baseball around age seven and later added football and basketball. “There was never a season when I wasn’t playing a sport when I was younger,” he said. By high school, he focused on baseball and basketball, sports that demanded both skill and consistency.
Talley’s lifelong connection to athletics eventually pushed him to think beyond playing the game. He began college at Harford Community College in Maryland as an Exercise Science major, but during his sophomore year realized he wanted to stay in sports while shifting his focus to leadership and operations. Sports Management felt like the right move.
That decision led Talley to the University of Mount Olive. The strong tradition of the baseball program first caught his attention, but a one-on-one conversation with Coach Rob Watt confirmed it was the right fit. The smaller campus environment also mattered. Talley appreciated the chance to build real relationships with faculty and coaches, something he felt would be harder to find at a larger school.
As a member of the Trojan baseball team, he has gained perspective on sports from every angle. Being a student-athlete has helped him understand the game not only as a player, but also from the viewpoint of coaches and administrators who handle scheduling, funding, equipment, and daily operations.
In the classroom, Talley has stayed focused, maintaining a 3.4 GPA. He says discipline comes from wanting to stay on the field without worrying about assignments, as well as holding himself to a standard his mother expects. For him, academics and athletics go hand-in-hand.
Talley says each experience continues to reinforce that he is in the right place. “Dr. Tony Franklin teaches us something new and shows us different opportunities. From visiting professional stadiums to hearing from guest speakers who once sat in the same classrooms as me. These experiences have helped me see how wide the sports industry can be,” he said.
That hands-on learning has continued through his internship in UMO’s athletic training room this past semester. Working alongside athletic trainers, Talley supported fellow student-athletes while learning about injury prevention and rehabilitation. The experience strengthened his communication skills and taught him how to serve people in different ways. Balancing baseball, coursework, and long internship days also sharpened his time-management skills.
Like many student-athletes, Talley’s journey has not been without challenges. Injuries tested his patience and resilience. A car accident last semester left him without transportation, forcing him to rely on teammates for rides. That experience deepened his appreciation for his team and the support system around him.
After graduation in May, Talley plans to pursue professional baseball while continuing to explore leadership opportunities within athletics. Long term, he hopes to remain in the sports world, with the goal of one day becoming a head coach at the Power 4 level. As he reflects on his time at UMO, Talley is most proud of stepping into an unfamiliar environment far from home and making the most of every opportunity. With graduation ahead, he is focused on applying what he has learned and staying open to wherever the game leads him next.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
