Blazing New Trails
Veta is a retired Physical/ Health Education teacher in the Uniondale school district. During her 17 years at Uniondale, she coached many sports including Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Badminton just to name a few. Before joining the staff at UHS, she worked 18 years for the State of New York as a Therapeutic Specialist and Physical Therapist for people with mental and physical disabilities. Veta was the training director for the Queens chapter of the Special Olympics where her athletes participated in different sporting events on the Regional, State and National levels. Veta also worked 9 years as an Adjunct Professor at Manhattanville College teaching classes in Kinesiology, Physical Activities/Movement and Dance therapy.
Veta always had a passion for sports. She attended Virginia Union University on a full basketball scholarship. Veta was a 4-year starter at Virginia Union, averaging 15 points and 18 rebounds a game while being number one in field goal percentages in the CIAA conference and one of the top rebounders in the country. While at Virginia Union, Veta and her team won back to back CIAA championships but her greatest moment is when the Lady Panthers pulled off an upset against the defending NCAA Champions and number 1 ranked team in the country, Cal Poly Pomona. Virginia Union women’s team was crowned the 1983 CIAA National Champions! The following year Virginia Union returned to the CIAA finals where Veta scored a record 39 points and 20 rebounds in the championship game. She was voted to the All-Tournament team and was named an All-American by the National Basketball Scouting Association. Veta also played Volleyball at Virginia Union and held the title of Team Captain.
In 2009, Veta was inducted into the Virginia Union University’s Hall-of-Fame along with NBA’s 2 time defensive player of the year, Ben Wallace. In 2020, Veta and her team were inducted into the CIAA HALL-OF-FAME at the 75th Anniversary of the CIAA, the oldest black athletic conference in the country.
Veta received her Masters of Science degree from Hofstra University. During her tenure at Hofstra, she was asked by Hall-of-Famer Jay Wright to join his coaching staff. The team won back to back conference championships which led them to the NCAA tournament. Veta enjoyed working with the players and coaches and was the only female in a Division 1 men’s coaching position in the conference. After the 2001 basketball season, Jay Wright was hired as head coach of Villanova University and later asked Veta to join his staff as his Director of Basketball Operations. Unfortunately Veta turned down the position and went on to teach which she wanted to do since the 6th grade. Veta continued her education and received a Doctorate degree in Naturopathic Medicine.
Veta followed her dream to play her second favorite sport, football with the New York Sharks professional women’s tackle football team. Veta wore #80 playing wide receiver, defensive end and special team. Veta is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She’s a member of Zion Cathedral COGIC under the pastorate of Bishop Frank Antoine White. She is the director of the Health and Wellness ministry and a member of the Tribe of Judah Liturgical dance ministry.
Since retirement, Veta has occupied her time teaching Aerobics, Zumba and strength training classes. She participates in community service activities with her sorority and she’s a Volleyball official in public schools and with travel teams.
Veta continues to work with the youth in her community and the surrounding neighborhoods. She teaches basketball skills to 6-9 year old children at Hofstra Basketball camp and gives private lessons. Because of the importance of education and athletics, Veta travels to different school districts to in-service staff and student athletes on the importance of education and signing up for the NCAA Eligibility Center which will guide them on the right path to become college athletes.
Veta’s greatest ambition in life is to bring glory to God!
