Virginia Union University recently appointed Alico Dunk as the 10th head coach in the history of its women's basketball program. At a June 13 press conference, Dunk expressed his enthusiasm about joining VUU, saying he looks forward to continuing "the rich tradition of women's basketball here at VUU."

Dunk joins VUU following an eight-season tenure as head coach of the Stillman College women's basketball team. Under his leadership, the Tigers posted a program-best 26-6 record during the 2024-25 season, won the HBCU Athletic Conference regular-season title, and secured their first victory in the NAIA National Tournament. Dunk's 112 wins at Stillman are the most by any women's basketball coach there in the past 40 years.

"Year in, year out, they've always been super competitive. And I just want to build with that," he said about VUU's basketball program.

Before coaching at Stillman, Dunk spent two seasons as head coach of the men's basketball team at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU). He also led the ECSU women's team for five years, compiling an 83-56 record. During that time, his Lady Vikings won the CIAA Northern Division twice, and he was named the 2013 CIAA Coach of the Year after guiding ECSU to a school-record 24-4 season and a 15-1 mark in conference play.

Dunk praised the support system at VUU as a key reason for his decision. "They have great people here. Everybody here is on the same page, everybody wants to win. Everybody supports one another," Dunk said. "Anytime you're going to any new job, you want to have that support system, and we clearly have that here at VUU."

Dunk began his coaching career as a men's assistant at ECSU from 2003 to 2009, a period highlighted by the Vikings' 2007 CIAA Tournament championship.

A native of Ayden, North Carolina, Dunk was a standout two-sport athlete at Ayden-Grifton High School, earning All-State honors and a McDonald's All-American nomination in basketball his senior year. He started his college basketball career at the University of Tennessee before transferring to East Carolina University, where he served as team captain his junior and senior years and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science in 1999.

After coaching one season at Hertford County High School and playing professionally in Asia, Dunk earned a master's degree in sports management from Virginia State University in 2010.

Looking ahead, Dunk has ambitious goals for the program. "I see us competing on the national level. That's the ultimate goal. Year in, year out, we want to be on the national stage. We want to have an opportunity to win the national championship," he said, expecting the team to compete nationally within two to three seasons.

He also invited fans to rally behind the team.

"I watched Coach Parker and Coach Butler's program over social media, and the fans are unbelievable. I would like for you to do the same for me." he said.

Mekhi Wilson contributed to this report.