LaTaya Hilliard-Gray is entering her 13th full season as head coach of the Lady Rams softball program. A native of Wakefield, Virginia, Coach Hilliard-Gray just completed her 11th full season as the head coach of the Lady Rams' softball program. Under her guidance, the Lady Rams softball program has made great strides at a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).
Gray is also the Senior Woman Administrator (SWA), as she serves on the athletic department administrative team and assists with the administration and governance of the department of athletics.
Coach Hilliard-Gray is coming off of another solid season in 2014 where her team finished with a record of 28-13, and during the past three year span has averaged 29 wins per season, while guiding her team to the top of the conference race.
She led the team to its first appearance in the NCAA Division II postseason as the team participated in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional tournament in 2011, with the Lady Rams posting a 29-13 record with a 15-1 record in CIAA play. The Lady Rams posted a perfect 10-0 record in the CIAA Southern Division to claim the division championship. For her efforts, she was named the 2011 CIAA Softball Coach of the Year for the second time in her career. she also was honored by the NCAA as NCAA Division I (Independent) - 2010 Coach of the Year.
During her tenure, the Lady Rams have recorded 237 wins, including spending five seasons as an NCAA Division I team. Under her guidance, the Lady Rams were one of the top teams in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) with a 22-11 record in 2004 and Hilliard-Gray was honored as the CIAA Softball Coach of the Year. She was also named CIAA Softball Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2012. She guided her team back to back CIAA Championships in 2011 and 2012, and her team also won 30 games in the 2012 season, while going back to the NCAA Regionals.
Coach Hilliard-Gray came to Winston-Salem State University in August of 2000 after completing an internship at the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) office under the supervision of current WSSU Associate Athletic Director. Coach Hilliard-Gray has been involved in competitive sports in some manner, be it playing or coaching, for over 20 years. She served as WSSU Assistant volleyball coach for three years (2000-2002) before being named head coach of the volleyball team where she coached four seasons. Prior to being named WSSU head softball coach, she served as the WSSU Assistant softball coach for two seasons (2001-2002).
She graduated from Hampton University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management. She is married to Mr. Lamont Gray. She and her husband reside in Winston-Salem, N.C.