Jennifer Bell is in her 33rd year with Tennessee State University Athletics. As Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services, Bell directs and oversees compliance, student-athlete services, and academic services. She also serves as the Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) for the athletic department, a position she was appointed to in 2023.
When she began at TSU in 1991, Bell served as an assistant women’s basketball coach under former Head Coach Teresa Phillips – a position she held for 11 years. During her coaching stint, she served as the recruiting coordinator and oversaw the development of the post players.
While coaching, Jennifer became actively involved with learning the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I compliance manual and how the legislation can be applied. Due to her knowledge in athletic compliance, she was given the opportunity to transition from coaching to administration in 2002, in the role of Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance. Since that time, Bell has held the positions of Associate AD for Compliance and the Associate AD for Student Services.
Jennifer has assisted with the writing, implementation, and overseeing of more than $1 million in grant funding for Tennessee State University Athletics department to support academic services, student-athlete development initiatives, and compliance. She has served on numerous NCAA and Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) committees and guided the Tennessee State University Athletics department through two successful NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program Data Reviews. Under her leadership, the Tennessee State University Athletics department has not been involved in any Level I or Level II NCAA violations.
She also received the prestigious honor of being the 2023 Thurston Banks Award Recipient for the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) and 2023 Women of Merit and Legend.
Bell, a native of Clarksville, Tenn. received her B.S. in Political Science from Fisk University in 1991. During her time as a student at Fisk, Jennifer was a four-year letter winner in women’s basketball, a three-time CIAC all-conference selection, and a member of the Fisk University 1,000-point club.
She later earned her master’s degree in Sport Administration from Tennessee State University in 2005.
In her free time Jennifer enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, attending concerts and Broadway plays, and walking in her purpose of impacting the lives of young people.
