Fayetteville State University Athletics

Miss Lauraetta Janet Taylor was a successful head coach and assistant professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Fayetteville State University.

Born April 30, 1916 in Charlotte, she succumbed on March 6, 1977 in Fayetteville at the age of 61.

She attended Barber-Scotia College (Concord, NC) and received the B.S. degree from North Carolina A&T State University. Miss Taylor obtained the Master of Arts degree from Columbia University and furthered her studies at Yale and the University of Pittsburg.

She came to FSU (then known as Fayetteville State Teacher's College) in 1944 and served the institution over 32 years, chiefly as an instructor and women's basketball coach.

Coach Taylor was named the CIAA Coach of the Year in 1974-75 when her team finished with a sparkling 18-2 mark.

Her teams won over 90 games during her coaching career at FSU while dropping only 15.

Although FSU women's team did not participate as a varsity club before the early 70's, Miss Taylor had already guided her teams to a 43-3 record against outside competition.

Her teams participated in every CIAA Women's Tourney (Runners-up twice) with the exception of the last season.

Miss Taylor's best season was 1975-76 when the Broncos piled up a remarkable 18-1 CIAA regular season worksheet. Her teamed advanced to the CIAA Women's Tourney Finals at Winston-Salem walloping St. Paul's 106-46 and edged Norfolk State, 76-72, to meet Shaw for the Championship Trophy.

However, the Broncos blew a 15-point halftime lead and fell 82-77 to the Bears.

FSU (18-2 overall) also advanced to the finals during the 1974-75 campaign at Petersburg, Virginia before bowing to St. Augustine's, 56-54.

The Broncos finished the 1977 season with a 14-7 mark. 

Miss Taylor worked in many areas and served in many capacities during her lifetime. Prior to coming to FSU, she taught in the public schools of Wilson and Tarboro, North Carolina. At FSU, she served the University as a dormitory director, teacher, women's basketball coach and on many important committees.

For years, she served as Chairman of the Social and Recreation Committee, and Chairman of the Homecoming Committee at FSU. Miss Taylor was affiliated with many scholarly and professional organizations and served as a member of the Fayetteville Recreation Board. 

The Lauretta Taylor Gymnasium was built in 1969 at a cost of $618,000 and was named in Coach Taylor's honor. It was previously known as the Women's Gym.