|
“Grandpa Spartan” Tom Jarman
to
retire Aug. 1 as athletics
director, wrestling coach
Manchester
College’s athletics director and head wrestling coach, Tom Jarman, will
retire Aug. 1. The impact of Jarman’s 18 years of leadership and
mentoring, however, will continue in a highly respected athletics
program solidly based in academics, equity and integrity.
“Tom Jarman is one of
the great mentors and coaches in the sport of wrestling,” said Mike
Moyer, executive director of the
National Wrestling Coaches Association. “Few, if any coaches have
dedicated more professional years to the development of young people to
reach their fullest human potential through participation in wrestling.”
Jarman, with
Division I experience gained as head wrestling coach at Northwestern
University, transformed a struggling Spartan athletic program.
Immediately, he addressed inequities in the women’s athletics program.
This year, MC women’s basketball, golf and tennis advanced to national
NCAA championships. Last year, the Spartans won the
Heartland Collegiate Athletic
Conference Commissioner’s Cup for accumulating the most points in
all sports. Under Jarman, the College has competed in national
championships in nine sports.
As Manchester’s
head wrestling coach, Jarman has produced 22 All-Americans, 26 Academic
All-Americans, a national champion and three Top 10 national team
finishes. Many of his assistants and student-athletes today are coaches,
perpetuating his influence by setting strong examples and high
expectations for future generations of athletes and coaches.
“Tom Jarman
reflects the best that is Division III athletics – integration of
athletic with academic success, sportsmanship and integrity. He brought
a clarity of purpose and an esprit de corps to Manchester athletics,” said College President
Jo Young Switzer.
His peers agree.
In 2003, Jarman entered the National Wrestling Coaches Association NCAA
Division III Hall of Fame, and six other halls of fame. He has amassed a
lifetime wrestling record of 414-144-1.
“I cannot
imagine the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference without Tom
Jarman,” said Commissioner Tom Bohlsen. “He elevated the level of
coaching, both in Xs and Os and philosophically. He has helped so many
of the young athletic directors in the conference, as a confidant and
advisor. He helped me.”
Jarman was no stranger
to the spotlight before he joined Manchester College. He co-authored
Wrestling for Beginners,
which remains one of the top-selling books for young wrestlers. He was
1963 NCAA national wrestling champion at 158 pounds and a two-time
All-American while a student at Wheaton College.
“I daily contemplate the responsibilities and privileges of being
a part of this place,” said Jarman, fondly called Grandpa Spartan.
“Service is palpable here and I appreciate and enjoy what it means to
expect students to grow in their faith and their learning and service.
At Manchester College, that’s not prescriptive, it’s a shared dynamic.”
A national
search is under way for a dynamic leader who understands how to sustain
winning teams while articulating to athletes that they are students
first, said Glenn Sharfman, vice president and dean for academic
affairs.
To learn more
about Spartan athletics and its student-athletes,
click here.
|
