Basketball may not have always been first on the Tina Kuhle’s mind, but it has definitely become her passion since she landed her first job.

Tina Kuhle

“Growing up, I always knew that sports would play a role in my life, but I never knew I would get so lucky to be where I am today,” women’s basketball head coach Kuhle said. “I have fallen in love with the relationships built over the years coaching, and have established an amazing network of friends.”

Kuhle grew up on a small farm in Hazel Green, the youngest of 11 kids. She helped out her dad with the chores, while enjoying many games with the family on weekends. Sports was a major part of Kuhle’s family life which she took with her to college. Kuhle attended Southwestern High School, and went on to graduate from Clarke University with a major in biology and accounting.

“I was recruited to Clarke to play softball, and also joined the basketball team,” Kuhle said. “Immediately after graduation, I was named the head coach of the women’s softball team, and later the assistant head coach of the women’s basketball team.”

Kuhle didn’t always have a gameplan for her life, but she embraced the coaching jobs and quickly fell in love with it.

“I knew I wanted to have something to do with coaching, but I needed other career choices to fall back on, and lucky for me, my double major is helping me now in pursuing my masters degree,” said Kuhle. “It was really a perfect situation, all the pieces just fell into place.”

With her husband, two step-daughters, friends, family and her hobbies there is never a dull moment. She has a passion for landscaping and gardening around her house, playing golf with her friends or anything else she can do outdoors. Kuhle seems to have been destined to end up at UW-P, her favorite colors just happen to be blue and orange.

“I am a very lucky woman in so many ways. I have an amazing career, a great network of family and friends, and a husband who likes to cook,” said Kuhle.