Ramona Staton enters her third season as the head coach of the Chowan Men’s and Women’s Tennis program.
Staton comes to Chowan after spending five seasons at Johnson C. Smith, most recently as the head coach of the men’s and women’s program. Staton spent the first four seasons as the head coach of the women’s program.
In April of 2020, Staton was promoted to head coach of the men’s and women’s program for the 2021 season. That season, the Golden Bulls earned the ITA All-Academic Team on both sides with nine members being named ITA Scholar-Athletes.
During the 2020 season, JCSU was selected the preseason favorite in the CIAA with four preseason All-CIAA selections. The Golden Bulls earned ITA All-Academic honors along with six members were named ITA Scholar-Athletes.
To start the 2019 season, Staton elevated the program to a top-10 regional ranking in the Atlantic Region according to the ITA. The Golden Bulls posted a 15-12 overall record and their second straight appearance in the CIAA Championship match. Staton had two members make All-CIAA selections. JCSU earned ITA All-Academic Team honors, while six members were named ITA Scholar-Athletes.
In the 2018 season, the Golden Bulls posted a 16-11 overall record and made an appearance in the CIAA Championship match. Staton helped Halle Parker become CIAA Rookie of the Year and All-CIAA selection. Off the court, the women’s program earned ITA All-Academic Team along with four members of the team being named ITA Scholar-Athletes.
During the 2017 season, Staton led the team to a CIAA Quarterfinals appearance after posting a 6-14 overall record and helped Amirah Burnett to claim All-CIAA honors.
Prior to her arrival at JCSU, Staton worked at Myers Park Country Club, Assistant Tennis Professional at the Cobblestone Park Golf Club in Blythewood, S.C. and Tennis Professional at the Windemere Racquet Club.
Staton started her coaching career as the head women’s tennis coach at Queens (N.C.) for two seasons (2005-07). During her time with the Royals, three members were named All-Conference along with two All-Conference Honorable mention selections and two All-Tournament selections.
The North Carolina native played collegiately at Benedict where she was the first women’s tennis scholarship recipient while playing at the No. 1 position in singles and doubles. Staton would receive a bachelor’s degree in 2002 in Recreation and Leisure Studies from Benedict before receiving her master’s degree in Kinesiology/Athletic Administration from Indiana.
Ramona is a Certified Pro with the USPTA and holds a 5.0 rating with the USTA. She resides in the Murfreesboro area with her husband Cyril and daughter Naomi.
