TAMI ELLOITT-HARRISON
Women’s Gymnastics / Inducted Nov. 5, 2005 (Inaugural Class)
Tami was a 10-time All-American for the Cal State Fullerton women's gymnastics program in the 1984 through 1986 seasons and probably would have won several more awards had she not suffered a serious neck injury that prematurely ended her 1987 season. Despite her mishap, she earned the American Award from the collegiate coaches association as the nation's top gymnast that year.
The five-time member of the USA national team just missed making the 1984 U.S. Olympic team. During her three full seasons of competition for the Titans, they won three NCAA Regional Championships and finished third and fifth twice in the NCAA Championships. Their meet record was 33-14 in those three seasons.
Elliott won All-America honors in 1984 on vault, uneven parallel bars and the all-around. In 1985 she earned similar awards on vault, floor exercise and all-around. In 1986 she won four awards – on bars, balance beam, floor and all-around. She placed second or third all three years in the all-around competition.
Tami returned to the Titans' program as a coach for the 1988 season. Upon returning home, she won the Miss Virginia title and competed in the Miss America Pageant. In 1999 she won the Mrs. Virginia title and placed in the Top Ten for Mrs. USA that year. Tami studied physical education and earned her degree in 1989 from the College of Health and Human Development. She founded World Class Gymnastics in Newport News in 2000 and serves as coach, winning the 2005 Virginia Gymnastics' Optional Club of the Year Award. She is married to Rex Harrison, and they live in Virginia with their three children: 12-year old son, Rex Harrison IV, 9-year old daughter, Taylor , and 3-year old daughter, Tristan.