Gary Van Atta headlines Trevecca Sports Hall of Fame 2026 class

Gary Van Atta, the winningest coach in Trevecca women’s basketball history, headlines the 2026 Trevecca Athletic Hall of Fame class.

Joining Van Atta in the class are twin brothers Sam and Steve Harris. Sam Harris spent 25 years as coach of the Trojans men’s basketball team, while Steve Harris spent 39 years at Trevecca serving as an administrator and coach.

More members of the class will be announced in the coming weeks. The 2026 Class will be inducted during Trevecca’s Homecoming Weekend, Nov. 6-7.

Van Atta, a Mt. Juliet native who was a basketball standout at Trevecca (1975-79), led the women’s basketball team to the NAIA national tournament 11 consecutive seasons, including an appearance in the 2008 national championship game. Trevecca also advanced to the Elite Eight in 2006-07.

Trevecca produced one 30-win season and six 20-win seasons under Van Atta. He finished with a 216-120 overall career record and a 116-50 conference record, making him the program’s all-time wins leader.

As a player, Van Atta was a co-captain on the 1978-79 Trogans team under coach Ron Bargatze.

Before he arrived at Trevecca, Van Atta led the Gallatin girls basketball team to the 1987 state championship and a 34-0 record. He also coached UT Martin, Montevallo, Motlow College, Mt. Juliet and Nashville Christian School, winning more than 500 games in his career.

Sam Harris is the winningest coach in Trevecca men’s basketball history, with 376 victories. He led four teams to the national tournament and another to the National Christian College Athletic Association national tournament from 2000 to 2008.

Harris’ teams made three NAIA Sweet 16 appearances and won two regular-season conference titles. Harris was the TranSouth Coach of the Year in 2005.

As associate provost and dean of student development, Steve Harris provided oversight for the entire athletic program and helped guide it through the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II in 2014.

Harris also served as head coach of the Trevecca women’s tennis program from 1980-85, was the volleyball coach in 1979, and was an assistant on the men’s basketball team under coach Frank Wilson for several years.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Gary Van Atta headlines Trevecca Sports Hall of Fame 2026 class