Though rarely talked about today, the Tigerbelles, Tennessee State University’s women’s track and field team, is one of the most accomplished sports clubs in the state’s history. During the reign of legendary coach Ed Temple, the all-Black team produced 40 Olympic athletes who took home 23 medals — many while living in the Jim Crow South pre-Title IX. One of those barrier-breaking sprinters is Olympic gold medalist and TSU track and field director Chandra Cheeseborough, or Coach Cheese. On this episode, she recounts stories of her time as a Tigerbelle and shares how Ed Temple impacted her as an athlete and highly successful coach. She also tells us how she’s keeping the history of the club alive and shares advice for other athletes hoping to leave a mark.

Learn More

• Take a deeper look at the Tigerbelle’s history and lasting impact.
• Inspired by athletes who break barriers? Hear Arshay Cooper tell the story of the first all-Black high school rowing team in the U.S.
• Look (almost) as fly as the Tigerbelles in Nike’s track and field gear.