HAMILTON – Colgate head softball coach Melissa Finley announced the hiring of Tara Tembey as her assistant heading into the upcoming season.

"I am really excited that Tara has decided to join our staff,” Finley said. “Her passion for the sport and her knowledge of the game makes her a great coach and I know she will enhance the overall experience of our student athletes."

Tembey was the top assistant at San Francisco State for three years before accepting the position with the Raiders. While at SFSU, she worked on the recruitment of prospective student-athletes, the development of team and individual player skills, and oversaw program fundraising. She also directed the team's strength and conditioning program.

She also brings head coaching experience, having served one season as head coach at Folsom (Calif.) High School in the spring of 2010. There she guided the Bulldogs to a 14-6 overall record and a 6-4 mark in the Delta River Conference. Tembey helped lead the Bulldogs to the CIF-SJS section playoffs.

During the 2008-09 season, she was the student-assistant softball coach for her alma mater, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. Her responsibilities included organizing and managing the indoor practice facility and expenses, while working with the outfielders and hitters.

Tembey was also a student-intern for the Mocs in their strength and conditioning program during that season as well. She assisted with day-to-day operations and dissemination of information while developing workouts for injured athletes.

A 2008 graduate and four-year starter at shortstop, second base, outfield, and catcher at UT Chattanooga, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in health and human performance-movement science. The Mocs were two-time Southern Conference champions, winning 160 games during her four-year career.

She set the school record for hits in a game with five versus the College of Charleston. The Folsom, Calif., native also set the school season record for runs scored with 55 and was third on the Mocs' season hits list with 75. She was second with 17 career triples and fourth with 145 career hits.

“Her individual success as a player is outstanding and I am looking forward to her bringing that experience with her as she coaches our student athletes,” Finley added.

While she was a member of the UTC team, Tembey received numerous awards including the National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American Athlete of the Year honor, First Team All-Southern Conference, and Southern Conference All-Tournament Team accolades.

Tembey also trained with the USA Baseball Women's National Team at shortstop, second base, and outfield.