Head coach Vanessa Taylor celebrating her 200th victory at JCSU, after a 61-55 win over Tusculum College on Dec. 16th
VANESSA TAYLOR: A PATH TO FOLLOW
200 steps and counting
Longevity can be defined as the long continuance in a particular occupation. Success is defined as the achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted. Johnson C. Smith University head women's basketball coach Vanessa Taylor is a shining example of longevity and success in coaching. In the midst of her 11th season, Taylor has reached her 200th victory at the helm of the women's basketball program at JCSU. With such as impressive milestone in tow, the opportunity to reflect on the journey is available.
After 10 seasons as head coach at JCSU, Taylor continues to strive for new heights instead of resting on her laurels. Last year, JCSU concluded the 2010-11 season in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Top 25 poll at No. 22 after a historic best 26-5 overall record. The Golden Bulls advanced to the championship game in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournaments. The victory over Glenville State (74-69) in the quarterfinals was the first ever regional tournament win for the women's basketball program.
Taylor was elected as the 2011 CIAA Women's Basketball Coach of the Year; her third time winning the honor, but first at JCSU. She has the most wins all-time as the head women's basketball coach at JCSU with a school record of 200-108 and an overall record of 283-203. Taylor has never had a losing season at Johnson C. Smith, including four seasons with more than 20 victories and no season with fewer than 16 wins.
Despite the success, Taylor remains humble, focused, and energized to accomplish more.
“I love to win, but within my career I was never really concerned about numbers,” replied Taylor when asked her feelings on the 200th win. “I always focus on my players and the small successes along the way. I understand as the head coach that I'm in the spotlight, but this is definitely a team accomplishment.”
The journey for Taylor includes 19 years of basketball coaching experience. Prior to coming to JCSU, she accumulated nine years of collegiate coaching at Elizabeth City State University and Hampton University. Taylor spent two seasons as the top assistant with Hampton. She assisted in guiding the Lady Pirates to a 1994 CIAA Tournament Championship and a regional playoff appearance.
She took over the women's basketball program at Elizabeth City State during the 1994-95 season. Under Taylor's direction, the Lady Vikings won the Eastern Division Championship in 2000 and 2001. While at ECSU, Taylor was selected CIAA Coach of the Year in 1998 and 2000, when her teams posted records of 15-13 and 22-5, respectively.
“My time at Hampton and Elizabeth City were awesome experiences that taught me a lot in a short time,” said Taylor. “I feel both situations were mutually beneficial; it made me better and I left feeling like the programs were in better situations than when I started.” During her last three years at ECSU, the Lady Vikings never finished below .500 or third in the conference. In seven seasons, Taylor complied a record of 83-95.
Taylor embarked on her reign as head coach at Johnson C. Smith to begin the 2001-02 season. In her first year, the team advanced to the conference tournament quarterfinals and concluded the season with a 19-9 overall mark.
“My first year here (Johnson C. Smith) was a good year and very exciting for me,” she commented. “Barry Street developed a good team that was already winning; the team was open to change and willing to work hard to do well.”
Street coached the JCSU women's basketball team for three seasons (1998-2001) before Taylor's arrival. He produced a coaching record of 56-28, including a 22-5 finish to the 1999-2000 season. Street moved on to lead the women's basketball program at Gardner-Webb University.
Taylor has led her team to the CIAA Championship game on five separate occasions. JCSU finished as runners-up in 2003, 2006, 2008, and 2011. She won the school's first ever women's CIAA Tournament Championship and a berth in the regional tournament in 2009.
“All coaches have goals,” Taylor remarked. “Each year we set out to be one of the top teams defensively, win at least 20 games, and fight for contention to be regular season, conference, and regional champions. The ultimate goal is to win a national championship, but even more important is to have a team of sound character.”
The women's basketball program is constantly involved in community service efforts. The team has participated in projects such as: Habitat for Humanity, the Great American Cleanup, Antwan Jamison's Right Moves for Youth program, Operation Christmas Child, and several volunteer hours at local elementary schools. The Golden Bull women also annually host a “Think Pink” night in support of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's (WBCA) campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer.
“I try to challenge my players on areas of character, competitive greatness, and courage,” she interjected. “It's not easy to make the right decisions on a daily basis. Our youth are bombarded with tough choices and the popularity of the Internet and social networking make it even more complicated. I want my players to be mindful of the choices made now, so they don't ruin their future.”
This accomplished coach is a native of Moultrie, Georgia. She is the daughter of Joe Van Taylor and the late Mattie Taylor. Her mother was a former high school basketball coach for more than 30 years. Taylor played one season for her mother and credits her as her coaching inspiration.
“My mother inspired me to be better,” stated Taylor. “She set the tone to develop better work ethic and teamwork. She taught me some many valuable lessons as my mother and as a great coach.”
Taylor is a 1991 graduate of Tuskegee University. She played four seasons for the Tigerettes, mainly as a wing player. She described herself as a hard worker that demanded the same from her teammates.
In addition to her tenure as head women's basketball coach, Taylor also serves as the interim Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) at JCSU. In that role, she assists with the oversight of women's sports for the athletic department.
After examining it all, Taylor is grateful for so much. “At the end of the day, I'm extremely blessed,” she said. “In my time at JCSU, I've had the full support of our students, alumni, and administration. I've worked with several outstanding coaches like Edward Joyner, Jr., Erasto Hatchett, Steve Joyner, Jr., and my current assistant Ronnie Enoch.”
“Working for Coach Taylor has been educational and essential to my development as a coach,” stated Ronnie Enoch. Enoch has served as an assistant for Taylor and the JCSU women's program for seven seasons. “She has guided me professionally and it shows that she really cares about her coaches, the players, and the program.”
Edward Joyner, Jr. is the head coach of the men's basketball program at Hampton University. Steve Joyner, Jr. leads the women's basketball program as head coach at Winston-Salem State University.
“Coaching has allowed me to develop players and some young coaches. The coaches and players I work with teach me something different every day. When I think about my career, I can easily smile. I'm doing what I truly love and I get paid for it, few people can say that.”
Taylor has closed out the first half of the 2011-12 season with a 7-3 record. Following the holiday break, the Golden Bulls enter conference play for the second half of the schedule. The team will remain steadfast on achieving their goals for the year as Taylor continues to lead.
Regards of what is accomplished on the court, what happens once the ball stops dribbling is Taylor's main focus.
“I hope my players leave this experience as better women. A true success is helping someone build the foundation for their adult life. Being able to see growth from a person's first year until graduation is a milestone on its own.”
