NASHVILLE – Gary Van Atta, the winningest coach in Trevecca Nazarene University women's basketball history and the only coach to lead a Trevecca team to a national championship game, is the newest member of the 2026 Trevecca Athletic Hall of Fame Class.
Trevecca Athletics officially announces Van Atta as the third member of the 2026 Trevecca Athletic Hall of Fame Class.
The 2026 Class is scheduled to be inducted during Trevecca's Homecoming Weekend, Nov. 6-7.
The 2026-27 school year marks the 125th anniversary of Trevecca's founding in 1901, adding significance to a Hall of Fame class connected to multiple eras of Trevecca Athletics history.
The 2026 Trevecca Athletic Hall of Fame Class will be the largest class in the history of Trevecca Athletics, celebrating the rich Trojan history during the 125th Trevecca Anniversary Celebration.
Van Atta served 11 seasons as the head coach of the Trevecca women's basketball program and finished with a 216-120 overall record. He produced a 116-50 conference record, making him the program's all-time wins leader.
Van Atta's Trevecca connection also includes his time as a student-athlete. A Trevecca graduate and former Trojan men's basketball player, Van Atta co-captained the Ron Bargatze-coached team in 1979.
2008 NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
His tenure included the most successful national tournament run in Trevecca Athletics history. In 2007-08, Van Atta led the Trojans to a 23-12 record and an appearance in the NAIA National Championship game. It remains the university's only appearance in a national championship game in any sport.
THE VAN ATTA ERA
Van Atta led Trevecca to seven NAIA National Tournament appearances and helped extend the program's NAIA National Tournament appearance streak to 11 consecutive seasons. The Trojans produced three consecutive deep runs in the national tournament from 2006-08, including back-to-back NAIA Elite Eight finishes and an appearance in the 2008 national title game.
His first season at Trevecca set the tone. In 2005-06, Van Atta led the Trojans to a school-record 31-5 overall mark. During that season, he earned his 400th career win overall, including high school, junior college, and college, and his 300th collegiate victory.
In 2006-07, despite losing four starters and other contributing players, Van Atta guided a young Trevecca team to a 27-7 record, a second-place finish in the TranSouth Athletic Conference, and a trip to the NAIA Elite Eight.
The following season, Van Atta led Trevecca to the 2008 NAIA National Championship game. The Trojans finished 23-12 and added another milestone season to the strongest stretch in program history.
In 2008-09, Van Atta led Trevecca back to the TranSouth Finals and to the program's 10th consecutive NAIA National Tournament appearance. He also earned his 500th overall career win during the season. In the spring of 2009, he was selected by the WBCA to serve on the WBCA Region 5 Coach of the Year Selection Committee.
In 2009-10, Van Atta earned his 400th collegiate win and led Trevecca to its 11th consecutive trip to the NAIA Championships.
NAIA TO NCAA DIVISION II / GREAT MIDWEST CONFERENCE
Van Atta also guided the program through the transition to NCAA Division II. Trevecca began Great Midwest Athletic Conference play with back-to-back regular-season championships and went 42-12 in league games during its first four seasons. The Trojans were 35-5 in Great Midwest play during their first three years in the conference.
The 2013-14 team won the Great Midwest regular season title with a 14-2 league record. The 2014-15 team also finished 14-2 in conference play and placed second in the league standings.
AWARD AND HONORS
During Van Atta's 11 seasons, Trevecca produced one 30-win season, six 20-win seasons, 19 national scholar-athletes, three WBCA Top 25 Academic finishes, 10 Great Midwest All-Conference selections, one Great Midwest Freshman of the Year, 14 Great Midwest Player of the Week selections, one CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree, and 28 Great Midwest All-Academic selections.
Van Atta also coached his daughter, KC, for her full four-year career, starting with her contributions to the 2008 NAIA Championship Finals team.
Van Atta enters the Trevecca Athletic Hall of Fame as one of the most successful coaches in university history, a former Trojan student-athlete, and the coach who led Trevecca to its only national championship game appearance.
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