North Central College Athletics

During a career that spanned more then 40 years, Cleo Tanner was a pioneer in the North Central athletic program. Her efforts in the field of women's athletics are still felt in the campus community today. Tanner came to North Central in 1928 as physical education director for women. She later served as advisor to the College's Women's Athletic Association and was promoted to associate professor in the physical education department. 

She assumed the position of head women's tennis coach in 1931 and led the squad to 10 consecutive tournament victories. She continued as tennis coach until her retirement from the College in 1970. Tanner was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and Alpha Sigma Nu Honorary physical education fraternities and Kappa Delta Pi fraternity. In an NCC Chronicle article in 1970 celebrating her retirement, she described her 42 years at North Central as "moving rapidly." And as to why she has been happy to stay on campus for so long, Tanner replied that she "likes the administration, the school, and the types of girls such a school attracts."

 Prior to arriving in Naperville, Tanner received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Illinois (1924) and a master of arts degree from Columbia Teacher's College (1928). Cleo Tanner passed away Nov. 26, 1971, at the age of 69. The following year, North Central College introduced a Cleo Tanner Memorial Invitational Tennis Tournament in her honor. A memorial scholarship in her name was also established by the alumni and is awarded to a physical education major at an honors assembly each spring.