Tamika Louis

Tamika LaShun Louis (born June 17, 1975 in Flint, Michigan) is the former head coach for the Delaware State University women's college basketball team.^[1]

Early life and family

Louis was born in Flint, Michigan and was the second of five children to Robert and Joyce Louis. She attended and graduated from Flint Northern High School, where she lettered in basketball and track.

Collegiate Background

After playing her freshman year (1993–1994) at West Virginia University, Louis transferred and played at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) from 1994–98, where she was a captain and starting point guard. She finished her career ranked seventh on the school's all-time assist list, and ranked fourth in the Western Athletic Conference in assists during her senior season (1997–98) at 5.4 per game. Louis was also very involved off the court at Fresno State as a member of the University President's Advisory Council, the Student-Athlete Advisory Board, the Academic Integrity Board and the NCAA Accreditation Board to name a few. In addition, she interned with U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and was an associate professor, teaching courses in communications while at Fresno State.

Employment History

In addition to coaching, Louis has also worked at General Motors from 1999–2007, most notably as a Service Development Manager in the Northeast Region. At GM, she used her business savvy and unlimited enthusiasm to gain several promotions and won the Corporate Woman of the Year Achievement Award representing the Accessory Department in 2003.

Coaching career

Louis started her coaching career an assistant coach for Rhodes High School in Cleveland, Ohio, (2001–02), and as an associate head coach at both Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland (2000–01) and Central High School in Fresno, Calif. (1998–99).

Mott Community College

From 2002-05, she was the head women's basketball coach at Mott Community College in Flint, Mich., where she led her squad to a 58-33 overall record during her tenure. The 2004-05 squad boasted a 16-0 conference record and was 27-7 overall en route to a NJCAA Region XII championship and bid to the NJCAA Tournament. For her efforts during this stellar season, Louis was named the Michigan Community College Athletic Association and Region XII Coach of the Year.

University of Illinois

From 2007-2009, Louis served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the University of Illinois.^[2] During her time at U of I, she was instrumental in signing the No. 2 and No. 3 ranked players in the 2009 class in the country, according to ESPN Hoop Girl and Blue Star rankings, in All-Americans Destiny Williams and Karisma Penn.

St. John's University

From 2009-11, Louis was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for St. John's University,^[3] where she was in charge of organizing all recruiting initiatives, game scouting, overseeing player academic progress and of-court mentoring. Additionally, she was responsible for the development of the Red Storm guards, including Second Team All-Big East and Freshman All-American Shennieka Smith.

George Washington University

Most recently, Louis served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator during the 2011-2012 season at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.^[4]

References

1. ↑ DSU names Louis women's basketball coach
2. ↑ Illinois Coaching Profile - Tamika Louis
3. ↑ St. John's Coaching Profile - Tamika Louis
4. ↑ George Washington University Coaching Profile - Tamika Louis