“He’s Nice on Every Field”

James R. Leonard Center (Center) Alumni Kevin Nicefield is an honorable husband, faithful father, experience entrepreneur and committed coach for youth. He is “Nice” no matter what “Field” you put him on. Mr. Nicefield has been making commendable moves ever since his days at The Center where he learned not just about basketball but so much about life.

Kevin is quick to pay homage to the many mentors and supporters he encounter at The Center when discussing his
journey since high school. He attributes much of his basketball growth and development to Center legends like Fred “Ice” Kibby, and Durk Hunter Brice. “They took me under their wings at the age of twelve to help me develop my game,” Kevin emphatically states. When Kevin entered the starting line up during the 1987-88 Port Huron High Big Reds basketball season he leaned heavily on the lessons he learned from his basketball advisors. During one of the greatest runs in Port Huron High history when his team encountered Michigan’s top basketball talent it was no different from the times Mr. Jim Jones took Kevin down to Detroit’s infamous St. Cecilia Gym to play against high school “phenoms” like Chris Weber and Jalen Rose.

While many took note of Kevin’s basketball ability for the first time at the end of his senior year, Kevin’s mentor Mr. Jim Jones knew he had it all along. So he worked diligently to help Kevin secure an athletic scholarship to college. Kevin decided to continue his education at St. Mary’s College on a full ride scholarship. At St. Mary’s he grew as a player and a man. He had the opportunity to travel the world and visit places like Poland, Demark, Belgium, and many others.

After college Nicefield moved back to Port Huron and connected with fellow Center Alumni Wardell Thomas. In 2002 Wardell introduced him to the retail business which reignited the entrepreneurial spirit he felt when he and his friend James Cates were allowed to sale candy at the Center. Now Kevin has branched out on his own with his store Setting Trendz located at the Birchwood Mall. His clothing store sales the latest baseball caps, t-shrts, sweatshirts, jeans, and jewelry.

With his business going strong Kevin is making more time to give back to the game that gave him so much. He volunteers as a coach with the Port Huron Basketball Academy. Because of his no-nonsense and disciplinary approach to training parents have approached him to take their children under his wing as the Legends of the Leonard Center did for him years ago. Now you can find him at Knoxfield Park training the next generation of ballers. In the Nicefield School of Hardnox basketball training, youth can expect to receive the discipline and work ethic drilled into him by Center coaches Leslie Rucker and Mickey.

Today life is good for James R. Leonard Center Alumni Kevin Nicefield. He loves working with young people, his business is thriving, he enjoys spending time with his son Kevin Nicefield Jr., and loves the life he is building with his partner and wife, Teresa. Things are coming together Nicely for Kevin as he learns to Master Every Field of Life!