Tom Tanis joins Navy coaching staff
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by Stacey Michaud
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Ninth-year Navy wrestling head coach Bruce Burnett has announced that Tom Tanis, a 2002 All-American at Rutgers University, has joined the program's staff as an assistant coach.
"I've watched Tom work with our wrestlers and he fits in so well," said Burnett, the former U.S. Olympics coach who has compiled an 83-36 record at the helm of the Midshipmen program. "His patience and work ethic are valuable assets in the wrestling room. He has a great deal of knowledge to contribute to our program and will certainly serve the midshipmen well. He is just an all-around terrific person. He is a great fit for the Navy wrestling program, as well as the Naval Academy as a whole."
"It is an honor and privilege to be part of the Naval Academy," said Tanis. "I look forward to assisting the wrestling team both on and off the mat in and effort to carry on the team's tradition of excellence."
A 2002 graduate of Rutgers with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications, Tanis has spent the last six years in the health and fitness industry. Serving dual roles as both a personal trainer and sales manager, Tanis has provided his expertise to the likes of the the Gainesville Health and Fitness Centers, the Colorado Athletic Club and most recently at the newly-opened Brigade Sports Complex at the Naval Academy. Additionally, over the last six years Tanis has stayed active within the wrestling community on a local level in Colorado and Florida.
Longtime Rutgers head coach John Sacchi saw something special in Tanis early on in his wrestler career, as the New Jersey native placed third in the first of three EIWA Tournament appearances en route to a 17-5 record as a sophomore. Upon completion of his sophomore campaign, Tanis was awarded the NIST - Sachsel Memorial Trophy, traditionally awarded to the program's most improved wrestler.
Tanis went on accomplish great things for the Scarlet Knights program. A two-time NCAA Championship qualifier, Tanis is the last Rutgers wrestler who garnered All-America status. After falling short at the 2001 NCAA Championship, he battled back the following year, placing fourth at 184 pounds. One of only nine All-Americans in program history, he was the first to stand upon the platform in nearly 20 years.
The four-year letterwinner (1999-02) placed among the top three at the EIWA Tournament three times, including in 2001 when he put together a 3-0 record as the No. 3 seed and upset top-seeded Rob Rohn of Lehigh to win the 184-pound title. He is the last Rutgers wrestler to win an EIWA championship and one of only 10 in school history.
Tanis graduated with a four-year mark of 98-31 and stands 11th on the school's career wins list. Named Intermat's Most Outstanding Wrestler as a senior, he was also the recipient of the 2002 Donald Leslie Coursen Award given annually to Rutgers' Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year.
In addition to his B.A. from Rutgers, Tanis holds a C.P.T. from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
He and his wife, Dr. Amy C. Tanis, reside in Easton, Md.
"I've watched Tom work with our wrestlers and he fits in so well," said Burnett, the former U.S. Olympics coach who has compiled an 83-36 record at the helm of the Midshipmen program. "His patience and work ethic are valuable assets in the wrestling room. He has a great deal of knowledge to contribute to our program and will certainly serve the midshipmen well. He is just an all-around terrific person. He is a great fit for the Navy wrestling program, as well as the Naval Academy as a whole."
"It is an honor and privilege to be part of the Naval Academy," said Tanis. "I look forward to assisting the wrestling team both on and off the mat in and effort to carry on the team's tradition of excellence."
A 2002 graduate of Rutgers with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications, Tanis has spent the last six years in the health and fitness industry. Serving dual roles as both a personal trainer and sales manager, Tanis has provided his expertise to the likes of the the Gainesville Health and Fitness Centers, the Colorado Athletic Club and most recently at the newly-opened Brigade Sports Complex at the Naval Academy. Additionally, over the last six years Tanis has stayed active within the wrestling community on a local level in Colorado and Florida.
Longtime Rutgers head coach John Sacchi saw something special in Tanis early on in his wrestler career, as the New Jersey native placed third in the first of three EIWA Tournament appearances en route to a 17-5 record as a sophomore. Upon completion of his sophomore campaign, Tanis was awarded the NIST - Sachsel Memorial Trophy, traditionally awarded to the program's most improved wrestler.
Tanis went on accomplish great things for the Scarlet Knights program. A two-time NCAA Championship qualifier, Tanis is the last Rutgers wrestler who garnered All-America status. After falling short at the 2001 NCAA Championship, he battled back the following year, placing fourth at 184 pounds. One of only nine All-Americans in program history, he was the first to stand upon the platform in nearly 20 years.
The four-year letterwinner (1999-02) placed among the top three at the EIWA Tournament three times, including in 2001 when he put together a 3-0 record as the No. 3 seed and upset top-seeded Rob Rohn of Lehigh to win the 184-pound title. He is the last Rutgers wrestler to win an EIWA championship and one of only 10 in school history.
Tanis graduated with a four-year mark of 98-31 and stands 11th on the school's career wins list. Named Intermat's Most Outstanding Wrestler as a senior, he was also the recipient of the 2002 Donald Leslie Coursen Award given annually to Rutgers' Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year.
In addition to his B.A. from Rutgers, Tanis holds a C.P.T. from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
He and his wife, Dr. Amy C. Tanis, reside in Easton, Md.
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