Blake Cantrell was appointed to the position of Director of Athletic Development in Spring 2016.

Cantrell was hired by Tusculum as Associate Director of Constituent Relations and Major Gifts in October, 2014, before transitioning to his current role. As Director of Athletic Development, Cantrell is responsible for leading the fundraising efforts for the athletic department, including major gifts, annual fund gifts, and gifts to capital projects.

Cantrell also heads the Pioneer Club, which works to raise funds for the athletic department through connections with parents, alumni, staff and other supporters of the University. While overseeing the Club, Cantrell has increased membership by 45 percent and gifts by 128 percent.

Cantrell was employed by the Tennessee Valley Authority in Knoxville from 2008 to 2014, first as a procurement agent and later as a contract manager. During his tenure at the TVA, Cantrell managed a diverse contract portfolio with a budget of more than $120 million. He initiated more than $900,000 in cost savings while with the TVA, and also volunteered as an event coordinator for the TVA's Combined Federal Campaign from 2012 to 2014.

While an undergraduate at the University of Tennessee, Cantrell was a student manager from 2002-03 through the 2004-05 season under head coach Buzz Peterson. He subsequently earned a bachelor of business administration degree in logistics/supply chain management from East Tennessee State University in 2008, with a minor in marketing. In May 2018, Cantrell graduated with honors with a master in business administration from Tusculum.

Cantrell also served as an intercollegiate softball umpire from 2006 to 2009, working games at the Division I, II and III level in the Southeast region.

A native of Dandridge, Tennessee, Cantrell lives in Greene County with his wife, Inge and their sons Tate and Hudson.