February 3, 2025

PBA Celebrates Black History Month: Honoring Manisha Redus, Head Coach of Women’s Basketball

Manisha Redus

Heritage

February marks Black History Month, and Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) took a moment to celebrate some of the extraordinary faculty and staff who are making a difference in the lives of those they encounter. Among those individuals is Manisha Redus, head coach of PBA’s women’s basketball team. Hailing from Decatur, Alabama, Redus’ journey to PBA, where she started in May 2018, was “divinely ordered.” She has made many strides since coming to PBA , including leading the women’s basketball team to its first ever conference tournament berth in the 2020-21 season, and she is quick to share that the people she has met at PBA have become like family. To learn more about Redus, her path to PBA and what Black History Month means to her, read the Q&A below. 

 

What was your path to PBA? 

I graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Marketing, and I worked in the sales/business development space for about six years. I started volunteer coaching at a local high school and decided to do a career 180 because I really enjoyed coaching and being back around the game of basketball. I then spent seven years as a division II assistant coach (West Alabama, Montevallo, West Georgia). During year seven, while coaching at the University of West Georgia, we came to Florida and played against PBA. On that trip, I met our current Athletics Director Courtney Lovely Evans, not knowing that I would be getting a phone call from her months later about the head coach position opening here. The only explanation is that my path to PBA was divinely ordered…I never really aspired to be a head coach, but I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. Meeting Courtney on that trip changed my life. I had never really lived very far from my family, but during my interview process I connected with people that have since become like family. 

 

 Where did your passion for coaching come from? And for basketball in particular? 

 My dad played professional baseball for 12 years. He also coached on the professional and collegiate level, and he would sometimes fill in for my AAU team. So, I grew up in a sports household, played both basketball and softball starting around age six.. I was a point guard in my playing days, so I was always maybe a coach at heart, but I never knew this was my calling. I love sports and grew to love the idea of helping young people grow through a team sport. It has been the biggest blessing to see my passion and purpose collide as a coach. I absolutely love what I do!  

 

Who inspires you? 

My family and all the young women that I’ve had the pleasure of formerly and currently coaching. 

 

Favorite Bible verse and why?  

I have a tie… Jeremiah 29:11 and Galatians 6:9; both verses serve as great motivators for me in knowing that God’s plan for my life has already been written and it’s up to me to surrender to His will and not get tired of doing so because good things will happen! 

 

 Are there any contributions you have made at PBA that you are most proud of? 

 From a basketball perspective, leading the women’s basketball program to its first ever conference tournament berth. I’m also really proud to have been a part of MOSAIC, our university-sponsored student organization that is rooted in the celebration of cultural diversity among the student body, alive. It is exciting to see it flourish and make so many strides on this campus. 

 

What advice would you give current student-athletes (or aspiring collegiate student-athletes)? 

Enjoy the journey- I know life “lifes,” but this is the most carefree time of your life, so enjoy it. Always find space to GROW – in your sport, in social spaces, in so many relationships (spiritually, with teammates/coaches, with classmates/professors, etc.). And something my dad always shared with me, “control what you can control.” Adversity is a given, but there are so many things that are within your control that will bring you joy, focus on those things most! 

 

What does Black History Month mean to you? 

Black History Month means celebration to me. A celebration of culture, a celebration of history, a celebration of struggle and triumph, a celebration of legacy. Anything that I am able to accomplish or opportunities that I am afforded are because of several Black people paving the way, breaking barriers, bursting through glass ceilings, overcoming societal norms, and so many other things. I get to experience life in a way that realizes my ancestors’ dreams. 

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