As both an athlete and advocate, Tara Davis has set precedents in athletics that have stood since the mid-1980s. As an athlete, she dominated the scene, propelling her teams to victory on the soccer pitch, basketball court, and track.

From the moment she entered Rainier Beach High School in 1986, Davis demonstrated to her Seattle community a new level of athleticism and on-court poetry. In basketball, Davis gave opponents nightmares, driving the Vikings to four consecutive State Tournament appearances. When the weather turned, Davis took her talents to the track, where she cruised to six individual State Titles, sweeping long and triple jump her junior and senior years.

By the end of her tenure at Rainier Beach – where her retired jersey now hangs in the rafters – Davis had stacked up quite an array of awards and accolades. With 12 total varsity letters – four in each of her seasonal sports – and a wide assortment of All-League, All-District, and All-State recognitions, Davis had earned herself a scholarship to the University of Washington basketball and track programs.

To the surprise of no one, Davis continued to excel in college, earning All-American honors on the basketball court in 1994 and the track and field team in 1995. As a senior, she took first place in the long jump at the Pac-10 Championships and set a school record in the triple jump (41’ 7” ¾).

For the Husky basketball team, Davis continued to rack up awards, earning Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, All-Pac-10 Freshman, and All-Pac-10 Senior honors. In 1993, she traveled to Europe on the All-Pac-10 Traveling Team Tour. After graduating from college, Davis played professionally as a member of Seattle’s first basketball franchise, the Seattle Reign.

Of course, Davis’ legacy as an athlete in her community is unparalleled. But her impact as an advocate for student-athletes is perhaps even more impressive. As a coach, she led the USA Basketball Team to a 2nd-place finish in the Special Olympics, and in her current position continues to elevate the Seattle Public Schools Unified Sports Program to new heights.

From Administrative Intern to Assistant Director of Athletics, Davis has exceeded at all levels of the Seattle Public School District’s positional ladder. And at each and every rung, she has used her experience and influence to remove barriers to justice for student-athletes in Washington state. As a member of Multicultural Education Rights Alliance (McERA), Davis has dedicated herself to supporting students and helping marginalized communities find resources. 

Across the 22 middle schools and 10 high schools in Washington’s largest school district, Davis’ liveliness is a pillar of positivity and equity for student-athletes and their families. Current and former colleagues within Seattle Public Schools point to her humility, integrity, and unselfishness as crucial components for her success as a “strong role model for female athletes and Athletic Directors alike,” who always prioritizes student-athletes’ well-being above all else.

Today, the WIAA recognizes one of its most decorated devotees, inducting Tara Davis into its 2021 Hall of Fame Class.