TOCCARA TOLAND - NORTH HIGH SCHOOL '01

Alumni Spotlight: Toccara Toland – From North High to National Success

Toccara Toland, who graduated from North High School in North, SC, in 2001, shows us all how big dreams can truly come from small places. Today, she stands as the respected head coach of the Clinton College women's basketball program and a mentor and leader both on and off the court.

Toccara’s journey began on the basketball courts of North High, where her exceptional skill and dedication set her apart early on. Her passion for the game led her to Ferrum College in Virginia, where she not only played basketball but also left a lasting mark, including being named an All-American and later being inducted into the Ferrum College Hall of Fame. She achieved national recognition as the NCAA Div. III National Assist Leader and earned multiple honors, including USA South Player of the Year and Virginia All-State First Team. Her college days were marked by hard work and the kind of success that hinted at the promising coaching career to come.

Post-college, Toccara’s career path was anything but ordinary. She founded and played for the Lady Warcats in the Women's Blue Chip Basketball League, soon transitioning into coaching and operations roles that showcased her leadership abilities. Her coaching career blossomed as she moved through roles at Lexington Senior High School in North Carolina and later at Piedmont International (now Carolina University) in Winston-Salem. There, she led her teams to regional championships and was instrumental in developing academically successful athletes.

Her tenure as head coach at Allen University in Columbia was particularly notable. During her three seasons, she transformed the team, culminating in a winning record and a quarterfinal appearance in the SIAC conference – achievements that had eluded the team for years.

In 2024, Toccara took over as head coach for Clinton College's women's basketball program. In her inaugural year, she has already made significant strides, offering roster spots to and signing more than 10 student athletes from South Carolina, showing her commitment to fostering local talent.

Despite her demanding career, Toccara remains deeply connected to North High School, where she continues to mentor and engage with the students. She often visits the school to talk with the girls' basketball players, assist with practices and workouts, and invites them to attend her games, showing them firsthand the opportunities that arise from hard work and dedication.

Her commitment to giving back to her community and to the sport that shaped her life is driven by a belief in service and development. "You can become anything you apply yourself to be," Toccara often remarks, embodying this philosophy through her actions and her dedication to nurturing the next generation of leaders and athletes. She also believes “if you give good to the world, the world will give good back to you.”

Now residing in Irmo with her daughter Diamond and son William, the IV, Toccara balances her professional achievements with her personal life. She is also pursuing an EdD in Global Leadership at East Tennessee State University, furthering her education and preparing herself to make even greater impacts in her field.

Toccara Toland’s story is not just one of individual success but also of community impact and the power of perseverance. Her journey from a small town to the national stage, her dedication to her roots, and her commitment to shaping future generations exemplify the profound influence one person can have when they are driven by passion and guided by integrity.