​Gary Van Atta headlines the 2026 Trevecca Athletic Hall of Fame class as the winningest coach in Trevecca women’s basketball history. He is joined in the class by the Harris twins, Sam and Steve. Sam Harris spent 25 years guiding the Trojans men’s basketball program, while Steve Harris spent 39 years at Trevecca in administrative and coaching roles. More members of the class will be announced in the weeks ahead, and the 2026 induction is scheduled to take place during Trevecca’s Homecoming Weekend on November 6-7.
Former Trevecca women’s basketball coach Gary Van Atta was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame on July 8. A native of Mount Juliet and a Trevecca basketball standout from 1975 to 1979, Van Atta led the women’s program to the NAIA national tournament in 11 consecutive seasons, including a run to the 2008 national championship game. Trevecca also reached the Elite Eight in 2006-07 under his leadership. During his tenure, Van Atta’s teams posted one 30-win season and six 20-win seasons. He finished with an overall record of 216-120 and an impressive 116-50 in conference play, making him Trevecca’s all-time wins leader.
As a player, Van Atta served as a co-captain for the 1978-79 Trojans under head coach Ron Bargatze. Before joining Trevecca, he led the Gallatin girls basketball program to the 1987 state championship with an undefeated 34-0 mark. His coaching career beyond Trevecca included stints at UT Martin, Montevallo, Motlow College, Mt. Juliet, and Nashville Christian School, and he accumulated more than 500 career wins.
Sam Harris stands as the winningest coach in Trevecca men’s basketball history with 376 victories. From 2000 through 2008, he led four different Trevecca squads to the national tournament and guided another team to the National Christian College Athletic Association national tournament. Harris’ teams reached the NAIA Sweet 16 on three occasions and captured two regular-season conference titles. He was honored as TranSouth Coach of the Year in 2005.
Steve Harris, who serves as associate provost and dean of student development, has overseen Trevecca’s athletic program and helped steer its transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II in 2014. His Trevecca legacy extends beyond administration: he was the head coach of the Trevecca women’s tennis program from 1980 to 1985, led the volleyball team in 1979, and contributed as an assistant on the men’s basketball staff under coach Frank Wilson for several years.
For more information, contact Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter. This report originally appeared in the Nashville Tennessean under the headline Gary Van Atta headlines Trevecca Sports Hall of Fame 2026 class. The 2026 Hall of Fame class is set to welcome Van Atta and the Harris brothers, with additional honorees to be announced in the coming weeks, and induction slated for Trevecca’s Homecoming Weekend on November 6-7.