The incomparable Jacques Curtis enters his 23rd year as head women's basketball coach at Shaw.
One of the nation's most successful coaches, Curtis has directed Shaw to nine CIAA titles, four South Atlantic Region crowns, four Elite Eight appearances, one national semifinal appearance and one NCAA Division II national crown (2012).
In the 2022-23 season, the Lady Bears' program reached the CIAA finals for the 11th time and posted their 15th winning season (18-14 overall) in the Curtis era. That same season, Curtis won his 400th game as Shaw head coach and named one of 50 CIAA Title IX Trailblazers on the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Two Lady Bears were selected to the All-CIAA Team and another Shaw player was placed on the All-CIAA Rookie Team.
The legacy of women's basketball at Shaw has been built tirelessly, diligently and successfully by Curtis, his staff, and the many student-athletes who have been fortunate enough to don the Garnet and White jerseys of the Lady Bears.
During his tenure, the Shaw women’s basketball program has risen to a level never seen before at the university. In 22 years at Shaw, Curtis has compiled an impressive 411-260 record, giving him a .613 winning percentage.
Not only has he guided the Lady Bears to nine CIAA championships, but he has lifted the program to national prominence. The Lady Bears appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016.
Shaw won the South Atlantic Region crown and reached the Elite Eight in 2005, 2006, 2011 and 2012. In 2011, the Lady Bears advanced to the NCAA DII national semifinals before winning the national championship in 2012.
Through the years, Curtis has reached numerous goals and worn many hats at the university. He will be the first to tell you that his success is due to the players who have been part of the program since 2000, his first year as Shaw head coach.
Today he is seen as an educator and a role model to his players, a teacher of the ever-changing game, and one of the most successful women’s basketball coaches in the nation.
But his players maintain he is much more.
They talk of the opportunities afforded them with a degree in life lessons from Curtis and a diploma from Shaw.
Along with their success on the court, Curtis’ student-athletes have had tremendous productivity in the classroom. Coach Curtis has a 100 percent graduation rate for the Lady Bears who completed four years of eligibility at Shaw.
During Curtis’ tenure as a head coach, the Lady Bears have had a cumulative GPA of over 3.00 and have consistently placed over half the team on the Shaw Honor Roll or the conference all-academic team.
As the head women’s basketball coach, Curtis has implemented a number of programs that provide opportunities outside the classroom for the young women under his tutelage.
The squad has its own Toastmaster’s chapter. Past chapter champion Tavia Clemendor won a local competition against high-level professional executives. The team also performs countless hours of community service.
His student graduation rate at Shaw University is one of the highest in the nation. All the student-athletes who have completed their eligibility have either earned their degree, or are in the process of completing their degrees.
Prior to being the Shaw head coach in 2000, Curtis served as an assistant men's coach at Shaw before being named the head men’s basketball coach at Savannah State University, his alma mater, in 1998.
Curtis graduated from Savannah State University with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering Technology and earned a master’s degree in Information Science from North Carolina Central University.
Originally from Savannah, Ga., Curtis now lives in Raleigh. He is married to Michelle and has two sons, Jacquim and Jamile.
