From the court to the classroom, Tara Tansil-Gentry (’95) has always strived for excellence.
Tansil-Gentry has dedicated over three decades to UT Martin as a student-athlete, a coach and an educator. Throughout her decorated career in athletics and education, Tansil-Gentry has added many titles to her name.
Her career with UT Martin began in 1991 as a recruit for the Lady Pacers, guiding the team through the transition from Division II to Division I athletics. She led her team in scoring all four seasons, ending her career as a student-athlete ranked second at UT Martin for career scoring – currently ranked sixth – and as a two-time All-OVC athlete and member of the OVC Academic Honor Roll.
In 1996, she returned to the court and began her coaching career with UT Martin women’s basketball as assistant coach before becoming the program’s head coach in 2004.
In 2000, Tansil-Gentry was inducted into the UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame alongside a good friend, roommate and former high school rival, Gina McClure (’94,’97), UT Martin assistant vice chancellor of student and residential life.
After a five-year run as head coach, Tansil-Gentry stepped down in 2009 to accept a teaching position as a lecturer in the Department of Health and Human Performance, transitioning into the classroom setting.
The transition from coaching to teaching came easily to Tansil-Gentry, who holds her bachelor’s degree in secondary education.
“I believe that coaching is another form of teaching,” she said. “It is important to address the different learning styles to best help every student in the classroom or on the court.”
Tansil-Gentry remains on the court and gives back to her community as a volunteer coach for her alma mater, Greenfield High School, and its girls’ basketball team. In 2022, her contributions to high school and university athletics were honored with her induction into the inaugural class of the Weakley County Sports Hall of Fame.
She cites both of her hall of fame inductions as her proudest achievements, a testament to her hard work and dedication throughout her basketball career.
Earlier this year, Tansil-Gentry was recognized as a UT System President’s Award “Embrace Diversity” honoree (above), commemorating over three decades of service to the UT System.
“I really enjoy what I do; it doesn’t feel like work to me,” she said. “I love my job.”
