Grinnell College Athletics

Tai L. Duncan ’04 led the Pioneers to the best women’s basketball season record since 1991 and first conference tournament qualification in more than a decade. A two-sport athlete while at Grinnell, Duncan played volleyball for one season and was a three-year starter on the women's basketball team. While playing for the Pioneers, she received the Freshman Athlete of the Year Award, was named co-captain of the basketball team her senior season, earned multiple All-Tournament honors, and was recognized with both academic and athletic All-Conference awards. During her senior season, Duncan shot an efficient 61.7 percent from the field and led the team in both scoring and rebounding.  In addition to her contributions on the court, her passion for athletics and the College in general truly exemplify her impact on Grinnell. She attends nearly every alumni event, both in Grinnell and her hometown of Chicago,  and recruits her fellow alums to join. A consistent supporter of the women’s basketball program since she graduated, Duncan plays in the annual alumni game and has encouraged multiple Chicago-area students to attend the College, several of whom played on the team. Following her time at Grinnell as a sociology major with a concentration in gender and women’s studies, Duncan earned a law degree with honors from the University of Iowa College of Law. She has coached girls’ basketball since 2009, both at the high school varsity and AAU travel basketball levels. Emphasizing the building of complete players, Duncan’s coaching focuses on developing leadership skills, teaching life lessons, and cultivating a passion for the game. Of all the positions she has held in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, she is perhaps proudest of the role she plays in positively impacting young women’s development through sport.