Bio

Tanya Kaufmann takes over as head coach of the women's basketball program in 2022. Before joining Western, Kaufmann starred on and off the court earning several awards and recognitions including being named team captain, team MVP, N4C All-Conference, N4C Academic All-Conference, and NJCAA Academic All-American while at Madison College. She continued her playing career at AIB College of Business where she was named team captain, team MVP, MCC All-Conference, and MCC All-Academic Team.

Following her four years of collegiate basketball success, Kaufmann coached for several years at the youth level where she focused on the training and development of young athletes. Many of Kaufmann's youth athletes have gone on to play at the high school and collegiate level, carrying many of the skills developed at a young age. 

Kaufmann, a native of De Soto, Wisconsin also has a knack for leadership. She has a bachelor's and master's in business administration which she uses to lead cross-functional teams. One of Kaufmann's favorite quotes that she uses often in her coaching and leadership philosophy is from Michael Jordan: "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."