Former FAMU Basketball Coach Josh Giles inducted in Polk County Hall of Fame

The late Josh Giles was inducted posthumously into the Polk County Hall of Fame at the eighth annual Polk County All Sports Awards and Hall of Fame induction ceremony, on June 17. The event was sponsored by Polk County Sports Marketing and The Ledger Newspaper.

When it comes to athletic excellence, Polk County doesn't take a back seat to many counties. Giles, along with four other inductees, was recognized for his accomplishments in putting Polk Community College on the athletic map.

Josh Giles continues to help Polk County young people with their educational pursuits with the Josh Giles Foundation (scholarships and youth programs) and the Josh Giles Tip Off Classic - http://joshgilesclassic.com/ . "The mission of the Josh Giles Foundation is to continue his work and goals by focusing on the youth of our area and helping to enrich their lives through education and activities that can highlight their talents and dreams," said founder Cynthia Giles, widow of the late Polk Community College basketball coach.

At Florida A&M University, Giles coached for four seasons, 1979-1983 and compiled a career record of 41 wins, 71 losses (0.366).

JOSH GILES (1942-2002)

The late Giles is credited with putting Polk Community College athletics on the map.

As the school's basketball coach from 1987 to 2000, Giles compiled a record of 262-130 with six conference titles, three state titles and three trips to the national tournament.

But there is more to Giles' story than just numbers. He is credited with influencing the lives of hundreds of children, many of whom he didn't coach.

Giles grew up in Detroit, where he used athletics as a way to gain an education. He played basketball at Okaloona Junior College and later at the University of West Texas State where he received a bachelor's degree in education. He later received his master's at the University of Maryland.

He began coaching in 1970 at Shaw College in Detroit before becoming an assistant at Stetson. He later became the head coach at Florida A&M University and was an assistant at the University of New Orleans and Mercer before going to Polk Community College.

He's still making a difference through the Josh Giles Foundation, which provides scholarships to Polk High School students and support to the PCC basketball program.