TCU forward Marta Suarez is just like us. She doesn’t want to go to her 8 a.m. class.
But unlike most of us, Suarez has a pretty good excuse.
No. 3 TCU’s 62-59 overtime win over No. 6 Washington in the second round of the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament ended at 11:17 p.m. CT on Sunday, the last day of spring break. Postgame press conferences stretched well past midnight after the Horned Frogs celebrated their second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance.
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When asked if any of the student-athletes had early classes Monday morning when school resumed, Suarez nodded her head on the podium as Olivia Miles shook hers in disbelief. Suarez then grabbed the microphone and looked directly into the camera: “If Dr. Lemon is watching this, text me.”
Professor of English Alex Lemon, who also serves as the Director of TCU’s Master of Liberal Arts Program, told USA TODAY Sports that Suarez’s public plea made him “laugh out loud” when he first saw it midday Monday.
“I laughed … because she looks like dead eye in the camera,” Lemon said on Tuesday. “Martha (Suarez) is brilliant and kind, and I thought it was pretty hilarious. A little bit goofy and sweet.”
For everyone wondering — Lemon ended up canceling his Monday morning “Genres” class, where students explore poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction and produce their own original creative writing pieces. However, Lemon didn’t call off the class for the reason you may think.
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“I was flying back from spring break and my flight got delayed, so I actually ended up having to cancel the morning class anyway,” Lemon said. “I was listening to (Sunday’s) game and overtime in Honolulu, but I didn’t get to see the postgame presser until the next day.”
That’s when Suarez got the texted she requested.
“I told her that she did an amazing job and I was thrilled for the team,” Lemon recalled. “I told her I was excited for our class on Wednesday when we meet tomorrow, and she was like, ‘Everybody loves the Lemon.'”
The exchange perfectly highlights Suarez’s “magnetic personality,” Lemon added. The published artist and poet acknowledged it’s “a big ask” to require graduate students to meet for class three times a week at 8 a.m., but Lemon said Suarez does more than just show up. She actively participates and “brightens up the classroom.”
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“A lot of the student athletes I get to work with are really tenacious and Martha (Suarez) is that way. She’s a really brilliant reader and is always happy to participate with insightful comments about reading,” Lemon said. “She’s wicked smart and brings that ability to communicate clearly, compassionately and humorously to all of her interactions with her classmates … people really are drawn to her.”
The relatable moment went viral across social media racking up hundreds of thousands of views, highlighting the multiple responsibilities and duties student athletes juggle off the court across the lengthy season.
“I think so many people have been in the position of the brutal 8 o’clock class. Hopefully I’d like to think mine isn’t so bad,” Lemon joked. “I think it also was funny and sincere at the same time, and it did spark that awareness of how much student athletes like Martha (Suarez) put into the academic part of their lives and what people don’t see when they’re winning in overtime.”
Suarez’s dream job outside of basketball is to become a full-time artist or photographer for National Geographic, according to her TCU bio. Lemon said she has the skillset and discipline to be successful in anything she pursues.
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“I get to see how much time students have dedicated to these pieces. And then to see them go out and excel on this international platform, it fills me with pride,” Lemon said, before adding: “If they win it all she’s excused from class for the entire tournament.”
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Marta Suarez’s 8 a.m. class canceled after viral plea to TCU professor
