Bio

Shawana Wilson came to Lake City, FL, by way of Fort Pierce, FL. She was raised in York, PA. Shawana’s love for all sports was prevalent at an early age. By the time she reached high school, Shawana was trained in gymnastics, dance, step, karate, and basketball. In high school, she also participated in flags, cross country, track, and volleyball. Sports served as a haven to keep her from becoming a product of her inner-city community.

During high school, Wilson developed into an all-star player in multiple sports and began to focus more on the ones that could help her transition out of her community. Shawana became a multiple all-conference player in volleyball, basketball and track (1990-1993), she became a two-time player of the year (1992 & 1993) in St. Lucie County, and she ranked fourth in the state of Florida. Shawana went on to attend school at Lake City Community College and Columbia Southern University.

Shawana coached girls’ basketball at Columbia High School as an assistant coach for eight years (1999-2007) and coached at Lake City Middle School (2013-2019). She also coached for Boys Club, Upward, and the city league (1999-2018). She has volunteered with Special Olympics and cooperated with Small Town Hoops, a community project aiming to provide every child with an opportunity to score in life. She hosted “girls’ night out” teen conferences for local and at-risk youth, camp nights, weekend trips, dance teams, cheer, and sports for youth in Georgia and Florida until 2018.

Shawana has been employed by Florida Gateway College for six years, doing the official book for FGC Athletics games and volunteering to help with multiple sports. The highlight of her tenure with FGC athletics is being able to return to her first love of cheer and dance.

“Cheering and dancing were my first loves; it is what started it all. A game with the absence of cheer is unfathomable. Everyone needs someone to tell them to keep pushing, and do not give up. I consider cheer as the wind beneath athletics’ wings, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.”