RALEIGH, NC – Saint Augustine's University (SAU) proudly announces the appointment of LaTasha Shipman-Ganus as the new head coach for the Lady Falcons Women's Basketball Team. With over 20 years of experience and wisdom, Shipman-Ganus brings a wealth of knowledge and strong leadership to the team, instilling optimism and determination in the face of the university's challenges as she leads the team into the 2024-2025 season.
Last year, the team, with Shipman-Ganus as assistant coach, surpassed all expectations despite being projected to finish last in the preseason rankings by securing the most conference wins (8) since the 2011-2012 season. They achieved their first overall winning record (15-13) since the 2010-2011 season. They maintained the CIAA conference-leading team GPA of 3.37, a testament to their unwavering commitment to academic excellence.
LaTasha Shipman-Ganus has been a cornerstone of the Falcons' success, pivoting in Juco recruitment, post-player development, academic advisement, community relations, and scouting. Her influence was evident in the 2022-2023 season as she transformed Taniyah Green into the team's leading scorer with 15.3 points and seven rebounds.
Shipman-Ganus joined the Falcons after spending three seasons at Florida A&M University, her second time around. While there, she recruited Mya Moye, a talented, crafty, versatile guard who became the 2019 MEAC Rookie of the Year and leading scorer for the Rattlers.
Before FAMU, Shipman-Ganus coached at Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC. Her responsibilities included assisting with the overall coaching, supervision, and program organization. During her stint there, she helped the Lady Blue Bears to a 24-1 regular-season record after posting a dismal 53-82 record in the previous five seasons under other supervision.
A year before joining the Blue Bears, Shipman-Ganus coached at the University of North Carolina Greensboro under the leadership of Wendy Palmer, a WNBA legend. With the Spartans, she was responsible for developing the post-player players. She assisted with recruiting, scouting, and developing game plans.
Before joining the Spartans, Shipman-Ganus spent four seasons at FAMU. With the Rattlers, she was responsible for developing players, recruiting, scouting, developing game plans, organizing community service, and assisting with practice planning.
Shipman-Ganus recruited Kimberly Sparkman, a JUCO prospect who scored more than 1,000 points and broke the record for the most three-pointers in one year at FAMU.
The Lady Rattlers went 22-8 on the season, finishing second in the MEAC with a 14-2 league record and falling in the semifinals of the MEAC Championship. The squad turned in a league-best 14-game winning streak during the season and finished with 20-plus wins for the first time since the 1996-97 season.
FAMU senior Antonia Bennett was named the 2012 MEAC Player of the Year, while classmate Qiana Donald garnered Defensive Player of the Year honors.
During Shipman-Ganus' tenure, FAMU beat South Florida, Florida on the road, and Alabama at home, all during the 2009-10 campaign, in which the Lady Rattlers went 18-11 overall.
Before her time at Florida A&M, Shipman-Ganus spent four years at her alma mater, Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., helping the Lady Bears to three Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships and a pair of NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearances.
As a Shaw player, Shipman-Ganus scored over 1,000 career points and pulled over 700 career rebounds before graduating in 2004. She helped the Lady Bears to a pair of CIAA championships as a player, as the team went 59-6 over her final two seasons.
Shipman-Ganus was also successful on the professional level overseas, averaging 26 points and 13 rebounds in Chile, South America.
A native of Riegelwood, N.C., Shipman-Ganus graduated from Shaw University in 2004 with a B.S. in Business Administration and a minor in International Business.
