Tamela Darnell - Athletics Business Manager - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Tamela Darnell

At Murray State:

Tamela is in her second year as the Athletics Business Manager during the 2025-26 school year, marking her 17th year at Murray State University.
She began her career at MSU in the Computer Science and Information Systems Department, later transitioning to the Small Business Development Center. She then advanced to the role of Finance, Business, and Administrative Manager for the College of Education and Human Services before assuming her current position.

Awards:

Administrative Person of the Year (2015) - Kentucky Small Business Development Center
Million Dollar Loan Club (2017) - Kentucky Small Business Development Center
Top 22 Under 40 - Murray State University Young Alumni Association, Class of 2023
Outstanding Support Staff (May 2024) - College of Education and Human Services, Murray State University

Personal:

Earned her Bachelor’s in Business Administration in 2008 and her MBA in 2012, both from Murray State University.
Born in Murray, KY, and raised in Rapid City, SD, and Paducah, KY.
She and her husband are proud parents of two boys, Cohen and Cayson.