Tanner Calvert loves Cairo athletics, and when he talks, his words carry the weight of both history and hope. A former coach, a longtime paraprofessional, and now the district’s Assistant Athletic Director, Calvert has worn many hats in the school system. Each role has prepared him for the one he holds today—helping guide the future of athletics in his hometown.

“I was hired at the end of July,” he said. “It’s been a whirlwind, but I’m excited to be here in this role.” Alongside Athletic Director Brandon Padgett, Calvert has quickly stepped into responsibilities that most people never see, but that are vital to making athletics run smoothly.

Scheduling is at the top of his list. Cairo offers volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, and track for both junior high and high school. Each sport requires schedules mapped out years in advance, often without the benefit of a conference affiliation. Because Cairo is not in a conference, scheduling has meant reaching out to nearby schools, building relationships, and convincing them to add Cairo teams to their calendars. “Finding home games is the challenge,” Calvert explained. Home games matter because they allow kids to play in front of family and friends, building school spirit and community pride.

Beyond scheduling, Calvert handles bus requests, meal arrangements for long road trips, and paperwork to ensure officials are in place for every game. Basketball officials are easier to secure thanks to a regional organization, but for baseball, softball, and volleyball, he often makes the calls himself. Because he was hired late in the summer, he had to scramble this year to lock down referees and umpires. “It’s been a challenge, but people have stepped up to help,” he said.

Managing finances is another major part of the job. Calvert now tracks budgets for each athletic program, streamlining communication between coaches and the district office. He has also encouraged teams to become more self-sufficient by fundraising for their own uniforms. Concessions at games—run by the PTO or athletic teams—have become an important tool for raising money.

Game days bring their own responsibilities. Calvert is at every home game, making sure everything runs smoothly. From handling needs that arise for coaches to helping keep order in the stands, he is present wherever he’s needed. Security guards from the school rotate in during games, but Calvert often serves as the extra set of eyes and hands to keep things calm. “It’s just about making sure everyone has a good experience,” he said.

Calvert’s path to this role stretches back more than a decade. He first coached baseball in Cairo in 2011, working under Hall of Fame coach and athletic director Larry Baldwin. Later, at Meridian, he continued to assist with athletic administration under Mitch Haskins, learning the behind-the-scenes work that keeps programs running. “Those people are still on speed dial for me,” he admitted. “If I need advice, I know I can call.”

Coaching itself remains close to his heart. Though baseball is his first love, he was also a standout basketball player at Cairo. At six-foot-five, he could dunk, shoot, and play with confidence. Still, it was baseball that captured his passion, and he quickly fell in love with coaching. “I like taking on schools that aren’t known for baseball and building them up,” he said. “It’s a challenge, but I enjoy it. And I grow relationships with the kids that last beyond their playing years.”

Today, some of his former players are coaching alongside him, a full-circle moment that reminds him of why he loves this work. “There’s not a town I go to in Pulaski or Alexander County where I don’t hear somebody call me coach,” he said. “They come up, give me a hug, ask how I’m doing. That means everything.”

The hours are long—often 12-hour days that stretch from morning until night—but Calvert says it’s worth it. His family in Mounds understands the demands and supports him in his commitment. His daughter, though a Meridian student, often comes to Cairo games and is embraced by the community. “All the kids here know her,” he said. “It’s like she’s part of Cairo too.”

For Calvert, this role is more than a job. It’s a chance to continue building on Cairo’s proud athletic history while giving today’s students the opportunities they deserve. “Our kids deserve the same chance as everyone else,” he said. “That’s what drives me.”