Tamara “Tam” Ammons-Jones serves as the Head Coach of the Marian University Knight Dancers and is entering her 17th season leading the program. Throughout her tenure, Ammons-Jones has helped develop the Marian dance program into an environment centered on athletic excellence, school spirit, leadership, accountability, and the overall student-athlete experience.
Under her leadership, the Marian Knight Dancers have expanded to include both Game Day and Competitive teams, creating opportunities for dancers with a variety of backgrounds and skill sets to represent Marian University. The program supports Marian Athletics through performances at athletic events and campus activities while providing competitive dancers the opportunity to represent the Knights at the collegiate level.
Her coaching philosophy extends beyond performance. She is committed to developing well-rounded student-athletes who understand the importance of discipline, teamwork, leadership, academics, and representing Marian University with integrity and professionalism. She strives to create a team culture where athletes are challenged to grow, encouraged to lead, and expected to support the success of those around them.
A graduate of Purdue University, Ammons-Jones was a competitive member of the Purdue Dance Team before continuing her dance career professionally. She spent four seasons with the Indiana Fever, Fever Inferno Hip Hop Squad during her college years. After college, she spent seven seasons as an Indiana Pacemate and has remained involved in the professional dance and entertainment industry through coaching, choreography, mentorship, and team operations.
Ammons-Jones brings more than 15 years of choreography experience across the professional, collegiate, and high school levels. In addition to her role at Marian, she works with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, supporting its entertainment teams, including the Indiana Pacemates, Hype Crew, Fever Inferno, and Boom Crew.
She is also the co-founder of IndyThrive LLC, a dance organization focused on providing training, education, and professional preparation opportunities for dancers pursuing collegiate and professional dance careers.
At Marian, Ammons-Jones is passionate about developing more than strong performers. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes accountability, leadership, confidence, teamwork, and professionalism. She strives to create an environment where student-athletes are challenged to grow, encouraged to support one another, and empowered to positively represent Marian University on campus, in competition, and throughout the community.
