When asked about her introduction to athletics, Tina replies that “for as long as I can remember, being active and playing sports has always been a part of my life. A large part of my childhood consisted of playing outside until dark, riding four wheelers, fishing and keeping the grass from growing on our dirt covered basketball court with my two older brothers and sister. I am very thankful for my upbringing, and I believe this was the foundation of my interest in athletics and to be physically active”.
Tina grew up in Morganton and began playing basketball in the first grade. She continued to play in middle school where she was coached by Robert Craig. She began playing for winning teams early in her career. She was a member of the 10 and under all-star basketball team that won the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association state championship in 1991. A few years later her Fannin County Middle School team 8th grade team finished with a perfect record of 14-0 on their way to winning the North Georgia Middle School Basketball Tournament Championship.
Great athletes are prone to make a lot of headlines. 2020 Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame inductee Tina Grice Bath made her first appearance in the headlines before she ever set foot in any athletic arena. She was the first baby born at Fannin Regional Hospital on January 1, 1981 earning a $50 U.S. Savings Bond for her auspicious debut.
At Fannin County High School, Tina displayed her wide range of athletic talents by earning a total of eleven varsity letters, three in basketball, three in softball, four in tennis and one in cross country. In basketball, arguably her best sport, she was a starter at the low post position for three years. She was described in the local press as a ‘Rock of Gibraltar inside the paint’. Coach Johnny Farmer says that “Tina was a very strong and physical player who sharpened her skills each season as a Lady Rebel. After her sophomore season I nicknamed her ‘Super Soph’ for having such a great season in helping us become state runners-up in 1997. Each year I challenged her to be better the next year and she did not let her team or the fans down. Tina led the team in rebounding three years in a row. She also played great interior defense. Man-to-man was our base defense and we never switched inside because of her strength and physical play. Her teammates nicknamed her ‘Train Wreck’ for the wicked screens she would set’.
During the State Championship season of 1998-99, Tina averaged 15 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. She scored a total of 458 points that season and was named to the Georgia Class AA All-State Honorable Mention team. She was selected as the Northwest Georgia Tip-Off Club Player of the Month for December, 1998. She was awarded the team Best Offensive Player for her performance during the 1998-99 season, after receiving the Most Improved Player Award as a sophomore and Best Rebounder as a junior.
Tina and Fannin Coach Johnny Farmer developed something of a mutual admiration society of two during her playing days. Tina says that: “Coach Farmer instilled life values that are carried out to this day. Excuses, attitude and disrespect were not allowed, no exceptions. Instead there was correction, respect, dedication and determination. I believe this style of coaching is the most rewarding of all. It was truly an honor to have had the opportunity to be coached by Johnny Farmer and Eddie Payne”.
In addition to her basketball endeavors, Tina also played softball, tennis and ran cross country at Fannin County High School. In softball, she was a catcher and outfielder helping the Lady Rebels reach the state playoffs three times during her career.
Tina was awarded a basketball scholarship to North Georgia College and State University and played there for one season. She went on to earn her B.S. degree in Sports and Health Sciences from American Public University. She holds certifications from American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as an Exercise Physiologist and (through ACSM and the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability) as a Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer. She is currently employed Fannin Regional Hospital as an Exercise Physiologist in the Rehabilitation and Wellness Center.
Tina’s passion for athletics has carried over to her attitude toward her career. In her words – “My career as an Exercise Physiologist has allowed me the opportunity to assist those recovering from sports and other injuries and those living with physical and cognitive disabilities. By developing exercise programs and providing one-on-one specialized training, I have a unique opportunity to help individuals overcome limitations and enhance their physical abilities and overall well-being. It has been extremely rewarding to transform my passion for athletics into a career dedicated to helping others improve their lives. I am also very thankful to have the opportunity to give back to the community that has given so much to me”.
Tina and Shaun Bath were married in 2005. It appears to be the ideal match since Shaun has introduced Tina to even more physical activities including kayaking, snowboarding and skydiving. They live in Pickens County.
Two more activities have been added to the resume of Tina Bath since 2015. That year she began volunteering for the Special Olympics and became a member of the CrossFit Fannin Gym and Physical Fitness Center that opened that year in Blue Ridge. CrossFit is a growing discipline that incorporates elements from several sports and types of exercise. The official definition of CrossFit is ‘constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity’. It embraces demanding activities and attracts only those individuals who are serious about physical conditioning.
Tina Grice epitomizes all that is positive about athletics. She is a humble individual who is quick to give much of the credit for her successes to her coaches, teammates, family members and especially to her mother Sandra. She is grateful to her mom “for her support and sacrifices throughout the years that made it possible for me to have such a wonderful experience in athletics. I am who I am today because of her”.
