Jessica Hawkins is in her third season as assistant women’s basketball coach at Shaw University.
A basketball legend at Shaw, Hawkins imparts her knowledge and wisdom of the game to today’s current Lady Bears. As one of the few black females who is an NCAA certified strength and conditioning coach, she keeps the players in tip-top shape.
Before becoming a Shaw assistant, Hawkins coached on the prep level. She was an assistant coach at Enloe High School in Raleigh, N.C. from 2007 to 2012.
During her collegiate years, Hawkins was one of the cornerstones of the Shaw women’s basketball dynasty. She was a key member on the first three CIAA championship teams (2003, 2004, 2005) under current legendary Head Coach Jacques Curtis, who has directed the Lady Bears to nine CIAA titles and one Division II national title. In 2004, the former standout guard earned both CIAA Player of the Year and CIAA Defensive Player of the Year honors. No one had done it before her and only two have pulled it off since.
During her three-year career with the Lady Bears, Hawkins was CIAA Player of the Year and a two-time CIAA Defensive Player of the Year selection.
Shaw rolled through the CIAA during Hawkins career, posting a 58-1 conference mark in three years. She is the only women’s basketball player under Coach Curtis to be inducted individually in the Shaw Athletic Hall of Fame.
In 2023, Hawkins was inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame as part of the Title IX 50th anniversary Title class.
Hawkins graduated from Shaw with a mathematics degree in 2006.
Affectionally known as “Hawk”, the Raleigh, N.C., native excelled on the high school level. At Southeast Raleigh High School, she led the Lady Bulldogs to the state 4-A title in 1999, earning MVP honors. Southeast Raleigh was only in its second year of existence.
A phenomenal athlete, Hawkins also captured the state discus and shot put titles in track & field at Southeast Raleigh HS.
