Athletics Staffer Beverly Tinsley Retires Following Long and Prosperous Career
1.29.16 | General
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by Marco Cerino, Athletic Communications Assistant
It's rare today to see anyone spend over five decades in one professional position. To do so requires a combination of passion, determination, optimism, and earned perspective. All these elements describe Beverly Tinsley, who has been with Temple Athletics since 1979. She has seen the Owls move from the East Coast Conference to the Atlantic 10 to founding the American Athletic Conference. January 29th will be her last day after 40 years of service with the University.
"Beverly Tinsley is one of the most loved and respected members of the Temple University family," said Director of Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft. "She has touched many lives in her 40 years of service at Temple. We wish her all the best in her retirement."
Bev Tinsley and Coach CardozaTinsley began her career at Temple in the mid-70s working on a grant project, funded by the Bureau of Education. The school and area were a part of her life from an early age. Her grandmother lived on the 2300 block of North 17th Street, a short walk from campus. The therapeutic recreation research project earned two annual renewals. Her work earned her a position with the College of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. In September 1979, the athletic department reached out to offer her a position as an administrative assistant. After spending years working on business contracts and development, she's found a new home atop Pearson Hall as the administrative assistant and liaison for men's and women's basketball in their office suite. Women's basketball head coach Tonya Cardoza said of Tinsley, "Working with her the past few years has been a pleasure. Bev is someone who always has a smile on her face. She's just a pleasant person to be around." Tinsley and Coach Dunphy Tinsley has seen the department undergo significant changes over her years at the University. Her tenure has included seven different athletic directors at the helm, from Ernie Casale in the late 70s when Temple was in the East Coast Conference, to Kraft today as the Owls compete in The American. Kraft's predecessor Kevin Clark was instrumental in creating her current role in the men's and women's basketball office.
In her time, Tinsley noted a positive change was the consolidation of offices to bring the department closer practically and symbolically. "When I came, we had offices all over the university. Down at the SAC building [Student Activities Center] we had the ticket office. We had offices in two or three buildings across campus. The Director's Office was by the new parking lot. Other offices were in McGonigle Hall. We had coaches upstairs in Pearson [Hall] on the dance floor." The addition of the Liacouras Center has become a keystone to the athletic department along Broad Street, across the street from historic McGonigle Hall and just down the block from 1700 N. Broad.
The growth of the University at large is something near and dear to Tinsley's heart. Her grandmother was a block captain and her family was involved in the area. Tinsley noted the initial resistance to the school's expansion. However, she credits the school's leadership for forging those bonds and helping to develop Temple into the urban university that serves as an example to others.
"When Peter Liacouras came, and I was here with President Wachman, he really saw the vision of Temple, and especially Temple Athletics. I think he opened the doors to a lot of things that were closed. Somebody said, if the door is closed, just open a window. And he did it. He started it and I think it's been better. I like how our Temple student-athletes do community service. It helps." Tinsley's son Vaughn and grandson Nile A great work atmosphere makes co-workers feel like family. In Tinsley's case, this actually happened. Her son Vaughn and 10-year old grandson Nile have become fixtures at Temple Athletics events. Vaughn has started a foundation called Founding Fatherz, focused on youth mentoring to build stronger communities. He's also raising Nile on his own. When his grandmom started working in the basketball office and Vaughn moved back home, Nile became more attached to the women's team and Coach Cardoza, which became a very strong bond. "And then one night, he was at home and he asked 'Mom, do I have a godmother?' I said, 'No, not that I know of' and my son says 'I don't think so.'" Nile suggested they ask Coach Cardoza to be his godmother. After Tinsley asked Coach Cardoza, Nile directly asked her via text. "She so wonderfully said she would, and that's how it happened." That bond is so important for the family as Nile grows up. Tinsley also noted how much she enjoys working with the student-athletes in her current role. "They're so polite and that's a tribute to the head coaches. That trickles down from Fran Dunphy and Coach Cardoza."
Reflecting on her time at Temple, Tinsley shared a quote from her mother: "Let your last days be your best days." She is preparing for her next chapter, moving down to Tallahassee with her brother and helping administer his church (their father was a pastor in Philadelphia). She will miss being around Vaughn and Nile. She will certainly miss being around Temple Athletics and the unique culture. "I think it's so different than a lot of departments. The athletic department is very close. It's not a corporate situation but it's not relaxed. It's unique. The people are unique. The coaches are nice to work with. They're respectable. The student-athletes I work with are very respectful."
While Tinsley is excited for her new endeavors, she hopes her work and time at Temple "deposited something tangible into the department." Cardoza noted, "There's such a family atmosphere around here, it just feels like home. That all starts with Bev, she makes it that way from the moment you walk in here. We're really going to miss her."
