Page 30 - Laker Connection Fall 2011

For April Taylor, Clayton State Uni- versity was not her first college choice coming out of high school, but after a brief detour at another local institution, her decision to attend Clayton State ended up being one of the best deci- sions of her life.
A talented high school athlete from Memphis, Taylor began her basketball career at NCAA Division I Georgia State University. However, after her freshman season, she decided to transfer, although she still wanted to stay in Georgia, and to have the oppor- tunity to play more and become more involved in campus activities.
She accomplished all three, and much more when she transferred to Clayton State in 2002.
“Clayton State is special to me be- cause it is the place where I felt loved and appreciated as a student-athlete and as a person,” says Taylor. “When I came on my visit, I met with Athletic Di- rector Mason (Barfield), our faculty rep- resentative Dr. Tom Eddins and the President (Tom) Harden, and from that moment I knew I was coming to Clay- ton State.”
Entering the University, Taylor im- mediately immersed herself in a num- ber of extracurricular activities, along with starring on the women’s basketball squad. She joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, was named president of the Peach Belt Conference Student Athlete Advisory Committee and was
By Gid Rowell
selected Homecoming Queen in 2005. “Clayton State is a place where you can live, love, and laugh,” she says. “If you are looking for a school where you know your teachers, classmates, and administrators, and can receive a great degree and enjoy campus life; then
Clayton State is the place for you.” Taylor played three seasons at Clayton State, capped in her senior sea- son, which was also Coach Dennis Cox’s first season at the school, by the Lakers’ run to their first Peach Belt Con- ference Championship in 2004/05 and a 25-7 record. She started on that cham- pionship team, and led the squad in field
goal percentage and rebounding. “People always ask me what changed when Coach Cox arrived,” says Taylor. “I always say that during the championship season I did things I have never done before. I was forced to be accountable for my performance on and off the court. I relied on my teammates when I was having a bad day. We were a true team and picked
each other up.”
Now April uses many of the leader-
ship skills and positive lessons learned at Clayton State; mentoring and serv- ing student-athletes in her current po- sition. Taylor serves as the assistant athletic director for compliance at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas.
“Intercollegiate athletics and ex- tracurricular activities had such a posi-
tive and rewarding impact on my per- sonal and professional development,” she says. “It has given me a greater ap- preciation of the concepts of teamwork and accountability. Overall, I believe I have succeeded in the professional world because I was provided the oppor- tunity to participate in both athletics and extracurricular activities.”
Taylor is currently on the fast-track in her intercollegiate athletics career. After graduating with her Clayton State bachelor’s degree in 2006, she served two years as an assistant coach at New- berry College. She then was named the assistant director of compliance at Ala- bama State University in Montgomery in 2008, before being named the sole di- rector of the department in 2009. She has been serving as the assistant ath- letic director for compliance at SMU since 2010, and recently earned a mas- ter’s degree from South University.
She credits a number of mentors from Clayton State and the Laker com- munity for having a positive impact in her development, including Coach Cox, Barfield, Dr. Eddins, former Clayton State compliance director and current supervisor Monique Holland, local pas- tor Jim Anderson and Clayton State “super fans” Jimmy and Betty Cobb, to name a few. Along with her Clayton State family, Taylor also credits her par- ents, Gerald and Maxine Taylor, for all their support, noting they are very proud of her choice to attend Clayton State.
28 THE LAKER CONNECTION
alumni profile
April Taylor:
Clayton State is the place for you