There are many teachers and coaches at Elder who went to Elder, so this got me wondering why the come back. So, I interviewed currently the newest and youngest teacher and coach who came back to Elder, Tommy Thamann.

Coach graduated from Elder in 2020. During his time at Elder, he was a three-sport athlete. He played baseball and football and wrestled. After this, he would go on to focus on baseball which led him to play at the University of Tiffin. Coach T had a great time at Elder where he played in two state championship games in the same year in football and baseball.

So I asked him why he decided to come back to Elder which he responded with, “Elder has been a home since birth.” He been going to the football games since he was young and was excited to start here his freshman year.

Then when he left to go to college it did not feel the same. “In college it did not feel right not wearing purple everyday.” But how have Elder sports have changed from the coach’s perspective.

“Different,” he said. “it’s hard to sit there and not being able to do it myself now as a coach putting my trust in the players to do it right.” All a coach can do is hope that what he has instilled in the players at practice shows up on game day.

What was his favorite memory was from playing at Elder. Luckily his senior year he played in the state semifinal game in football. Coach T was the punter and he recovered a fumble off a punt. He recovered the fumble and looked up and everyone was cheering. He said this was one of the best feelings he has ever had not just in sports but in life.

After this interview I understand at least one reason that teachers and coaches come back to Elder. It’s because how much their time in high school positively influenced in their life making them want to give back. Coach T accomplished a lot for Elder and I believe that he will make a difference for many more years as a teacher and a coach.