Fletcher L. Tinsley, affectionately known as “Coach Tinsley,” was born on November 27, 1947, in Washington, D.C., to the late Robert A. and Odessia Tinsley. He was the second child of three children. Fletcher accepted Christ as his Lord and savior at an early age.

He attended DC Public Schools and was a top ranked hurdler and quarter-miler at Coolidge. This achievement earned him honors in two local newspapers, along with a track offer to attend Central State University, in Wilberforce, Ohio. While at Central State, he met his forever Bride, Rejeana Cubbie. The pair were married on August 22, 1970. He and his wife joined Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in 2004. He took pride in his church and community. In 2006 he received the Prince George’s County Beautification Award for his outstanding landscaping at his home.

Upon college graduation, with a degree in Health and Physical Education, Fletcher returned to D.C. to begin an extremely success career as a Teacher and Track Coach for the District of Columbia Public School System (DCPS) for 35 years until retirement. In 2007 he was honored by his High School Alumni Association for his Outstanding Achievements.

During his tenure with DCPS, he used his expertise in track and field to coach at the Elementary, Jr. High and High School levels. For two decades his cross country, indoor and outdoor track teams, received countless championships. His program, particularly the all-girls track team at Dunbar, became a national powerhouse both in the Washington Metropolitan area and on the East Coast.

His passion for track and field always coincided with academics which led them to winning the Women Sports Foundation award. Ninety percent of all his senior athletes attended college. Coach Tinsley coached the Mayor’s Youth Games Track and Field Team representing Washington, D.C. in the U.S. Youth Games (1997, ‘98, ‘99). In 2001 he earned Dunbar the prestigious Washington Community Action Program Public Schools, Team of the Year citation. In 2006, Dunbar dedicated its new track in his honor