Shannon Taylor. Photo Credit: THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.
The University of the Virgin Islands’ Athletics Department has selected Shannon Taylor to serve as Head Coach of its Men's Basketball team, UVI announced Tuesday.
The university said Taylor joins UVI after his tenure as Men's Head Assistant Basketball Coach at Riverside City College (RCC) in Riverside, California. He will also assume the role of the University’s Wellness Coordinator, managing the Wellness Center and other related activities.
The announcement follows UVI's rescinding of an offer it made to Jason Gilliam-Alexander in August. The university acted after learning that Gilliam-Alexander had been stripped of his Florida-issued Educator Certificate last November, after the findings of a state investigation revealed that he had reportedly been engaging in inappropriate conduct with female students.
It was the second time someone credibly accused of inappropriate behavior with students on the mainland had been able to find favor with University of the Virgin Islands recruiters and officials involved in the hiring process.
In mid-June, we learned that Oluwafemi Banjoko, a contract and grants specialist with the university, was actually Bridges Randle, a former officer of the Memphis Police Department, who had at least one conviction on offenses relating to the sexual assault of women while on duty.
Taylor’s college coaching highlights include leading the RCC Tigers to four consecutive appearances in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern Regional playoffs, four “Sweet 16” appearances and one Final 8 appearance. Taylor’s Tigers also boasted one Orange Empire Conference Championship and 12 All Orange Empire Conference selections as well as one Offensive Player of the Year.
“We are tremendously excited that Coach Taylor is bringing his impressive skills and talents to bear on our Men’s Basketball team. His coaching, recruiting, accountability and mentoring philosophies align perfectly with our commitment to encouraging the holistic development of our student-athletes both on and off the court,” said Dr. Jerel Drew, UVI’s director of athletics.
Before his college coaching experience, Taylor coached at the secondary education level in California with Kerman High School (Kerman), Edison High School (Fresno) and Roosevelt High School (Fresno) where he focused on helping student-athletes achieve their goals.
“I am grateful to Dr. Drew, President David Hall and the entire UVI community for extending this opportunity for me to contribute to the success of the University’s exceptional student-athletes. Education is extremely important to me. Playing basketball can provide many opportunities but the most important is to understand the value of education and how it can maximize their success in life,” Taylor stated.
According to UVI, Taylor played basketball at the professional level from 2000 to 2007 and was inducted into the Fresno City & County All-Star Hall of Fame in 2013. As a player, his statistics include two State Championships at Ventura College (1994-1996), first team All-Conference at Eastern Washington University (1999), setting a Big Sky Conference record for 3-point shots made (1999), Bullard High School Valley Champions and Team Captain (1994), and Central Section Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player (1994).
Taylor earned a bachelor of arts in interdisciplinary studies from Eastern Washington University and a master of arts degree in kinesiology-physical education from Fresno Pacific University. He taught kinesiology at the collegiate level for eight years at Riverside City College.
