TEACH. LEAD. SERVE.
Good teams have good players, but great teams have great teammates. Whether it’s on the court or “Beyond the 94 x 50,” Tommy Amaker inspires great teammates.
A former star point guard at Duke University and National Defensive Player of the Year, Amaker made the transition seamlessly from player to coach and – most importantly – from coach to educator. Amaker considers himself a teacher first and has not only transformed the men’s basketball program at Harvard but elevated it to the preeminent program in the Ivy League.
Since joining the Crimson in 2007, Amaker brought home not only the school’s first, but now seven Ivy League championships, as well as four NCAA tournament appearances and three NIT berths.
But it’s his work off the court of which Amaker is most proud.
His philosophy is ‘Teach. Lead. Serve.’ and by exposing his players to different experiences and perspectives, Coach Amaker has built a strong pipeline of lifelong learners and future leaders.
“At the time I was hired at Harvard, there weren’t any African American head coaches on staff. I have viewed my role as being more than ‘just a coach.’ My goal is to Teach. Lead. Serve. our student-athletes, and to have a positive impact on their lives and our community.”