Mercedes Gillon-Gantt was named the Assistant Women’s Basketball and Volleyball Coach for Talladega College, August 2020.
Gillon-Gantt, a 2019 Graduate of Talladega College, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. She would establish her academic scholarship, her development as a student leader and ambassador, and shine as a committed member of both women’s Basketball and Soccer teams.
During her time as a student-athlete, at Talladega she would go on to be named 2016 -2017 Back to Back GCAC Regular Season and Conference Champions on the Lady Tornadoes Women’s basketball team and making an appearance in the National Tournament. Inducted into the Presidential Honor Society with a grade point average of 3.80, be elected to the Royal Court as Ms. Senior Class 2018-19, serve as a
Talladega student leader, and work within the Talladega community as an assistant girls’ basketball coach for Talladega County Central High School.
As an assistant at TCCHS, she continued a winning legacy as she assisted the Lady Tigers to a 3-peat Girls Class 1A Area 9 Conference Championship which was the first time in program history. Advancing to the Sweet Sixteen State championship coaching Three All-Tournament and two First team All-Conference team members. As well as a coaching a team member as she reached 1000+ points as a freshman starter. Ms. Gillon-Gantt’s passion for her community and belief in social justice and equity would also afford her opportunities to work on behalf of the those without a voice, other student athletes, and volunteer her time and skills as a peer development coordinator and coach.
She went on to advance in her career as the Director of Women’s Basketball Operations at The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in the 2019-2020 season. In her tenure as the Director at UAPB, The Lady Lions tripled their SWAC win total from the previous year in qualifying for the SWAC Tournament for the first time since 2018. In close games in the fourth quarter last season, UAPB was tied for best in the nation in forcing turnovers on 31.4% of possessions.
As she prepares to enter the “Home of Champions” once more as the Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach. Not only is she able to advocate for herself, but she is known for her advocacy for others as well. Her journey has taught her about the necessity of follow through and adaptability- both cultural and environmental. She has remained consistent in her values of truth, justice and equity and works diligently to show forth kindness in all of her interactions.
Her next steps in her journey, as described by her, are to work with manner of athletes from scholar-athletes to professional athletes to help educate and provide equitable returns on their athletic careers. Her motivation to pursue this line of work stems from her own experiences with being a student-athlete and the support systems that helped to improve her understanding of the world and business of sports.
She is continuing her academic achievements as she is finishing up her Masters of Arts Degree in Teaching with a focus in Physical Education at The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
