Alcorn State University Men's Soccer

Kersten Vanem-Walker enters her first season as the interim head coach for Alcorn Men's and Women's Tennis, respectfully, returning to the program where she made her mark both as a student-athlete and graduate assistant. Prior to accepting the interim head coach position during the winter, Vanem-Walker had originally signed on to be an assistant coach for the Braves. But the chance to step up as interim head coach presented itself quickly, and she accepted the opportunity afforded to her. A native of Kuressaare, a city on the island Saaremaa in Estonia, Vanem-Walker enjoyed a decorated playing career at Alcorn State from 2010 to 2014, serving as the No. 1 singles and doubles player all four years. Her outstanding collegiate career was highlighted by numerous honors, including being named the 2014 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Player of the Year, 2014 SWAC First Team Singles, and 2014 SWAC All-Conference Team. That same year, she received the Halbrook Award and was selected as Alcorn’s SWA Female Athlete of the Year, Women’s Tennis Player of the Year, and Women’s Tennis Doubles Player of the Year. Vanem-Walker was also the 2012 SWAC Player of the Year, earning First Team Singles, First Team Doubles, and All-Conference Team honors. She was a three-time SWAC All-Conference selection (2011, 2012, 2013) and began her collegiate career by being named Alcorn’s Women’s Tennis Freshman of the Year in 2011. Following her playing career, Vanem-Walker served as a graduate assistant for the Alcorn women’s tennis program from 2014 to 2017, helping lead the Lady Braves to the 2016 SWAC Championship. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Cum Laude, 2014) and Master of Science in Secondary Education, Clinical Mental Health Counseling (With Highest Distinction, 2017) from Alcorn State University.    

Alonzo Banks was named the head coach of the Alcorn State University Track and Field and Cross-Country programs on May 15, 2023. Since his arrival, Banks has transformed the Braves into one of the fastest-rising programs in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), guiding athletes to conference titles, school records, NCAA regional qualifications, and national-level competitions. In his first cross country season at Alcorn, Banks made an immediate impact at the 2023 SWAC Cross Country Championships. Under his leadership, Stellah Kiptui was crowned the individual champion and named Female Athlete of the Year, while Kelvin Kipkemboi claimed the men’s individual title and was named Male Athlete of the Year. The men’s team went on to secure a third-place finish—the program’s highest in years. During the 2024 indoor season, Teresa captured double gold in the 3000m and 5000m, adding to Alcorn’s growing reputation for distance dominance. The momentum carried into the 2024 outdoor season, where standout Trellas Forrest ran 45.89 in the 400m to set a new school record, finish second at the SWAC Championships, and qualify for the NCAA Regional Championships. Teresa added silver medals in both the 5000m and 10,000m to cap off her season. The Braves carried their success into 2025 indoors, highlighted by Derrick Williams, who set a school record in the 200m (20.98) and placed second at the SWAC Championships. Alocias Kipngetich established a new school record in the 800m (1:54.65), while the men’s 4x400m relay also etched their names into the record books with a program-best performance. The 2025 outdoor season proved historic for Alcorn State. Derrick Williams lowered his own 200m school record to 20.56 and qualified for the NCAA Regional Championships in both the 100m and 200m. Vederek Matthews set a new standard in the 110m hurdles (13.97), while the men’s 4x400m relay broke the school record in 3:09.99. The highlight came from Trellas Forrest, who became the SWAC Champion in the 400m with a school-record 45.28, qualifying for both the NCAA Regional Championships and the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships, further cementing Alcorn’s national presence. Before joining Alcorn, Banks served three years as the head coach at Mississippi Valley State University, where he coached multiple SWAC champions and medalists, including hurdler Darrione Joseph and thrower Tiara DeRosa, who was named Most Outstanding Field Performer at the 2021 SWAC Championships. Banks also enjoyed a successful six-year tenure at Southern Arkansas University, where he was promoted to associate head coach in 2018. His athletes earned 130 All-Conference honors, nine GAC Athlete of the Week awards, and broke numerous school records. He coached multiple NCAA Division II provisional qualifiers, all-region athletes, and conference champions, including All-American Kenisha Bryant, long jump and sprint standout Karonce Higgins, and triple jump record-holder Aurthur Jeffery. A decorated collegiate athlete himself, Banks competed at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) under legendary coach Joe Walker. He was a three-time All-American, the 1996 SEC 400m Champion, a five-time All-SEC First Team performer, team captain and MVP, and qualified and competed in the USA Track & Field Indoor/Outdoor  Championships. He also helped Ole Miss capture the 1999 Penn Relays Championship of America title in the 4x400m relay. Banks earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Ole Miss in 1999. He holds a USATF Level 1 Certification and a USTFCCCA Specialist Certification in Sprints, Hurdles, and Relays. He is married to Kogrecha Banks, and together they have four children: sons Tyrenzo, Ta’Zion, and Taahir, and daughter Ti’Alone’.

Darrione Joseph begins her first year with Alcorn State University, joining the Braves Track & Field and Cross Country coaching staff as an assistant coach in September 2025. Joseph earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Murray State University in May 2025. While competing for the Racers under Head Coach Adam Kiesler, she specialized in hurdles and served as a team captain during her senior season. She remains on the program’s all-time top-10 list in both the 60-meter hurdles and 100-meter hurdles. Before transferring to Murray State, Joseph spent two seasons at Mississippi Valley State University under Coach Alonzo Banks. She made an immediate impact on the Devilettes program, setting school records in both the 60-meter and 100-meter hurdles—marks that still stand today. Throughout her time at MVSU, she was a consistent point-scorer and earned three top-three finishes in SWAC competition. A native of Marrero, Louisiana, Joseph was a standout both on and off the track and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She now looks forward to mentoring student-athletes and helping them grow as competitors and individuals. Joseph continues to bring the same drive and determination that defined her collegiate career into her role with the Braves.