By Woodmore hired Tom Tucker as the new athletic director for the 2010-11 school year. Tucker was very excited when he heard the position was open at Woodmore.

“I’ve been somewhat familiar with Woodmore for about 40 years,” stated Tucker, who was with Lakota Schools for 33 years, retired, and was re-hired again this year.

Tucker likes smaller schools and loves sports, which explains why he has chosen to work for the schools where he has been employed.

Being an athletic director involves a lot of organization. Tucker is in charge of things like directing coaches, preparing for each athletic event, helping the boosters, contacting officials and giving the school board a monthly report.

Although he is still in the process of learning how everything works, he makes it very clear that anyone can contact him for help.

“If anyone needs help, that’s what I’m here for,” Tucker stated. “If my phone rang at 3 a.m., I’d be there to help right away.”

Tucker has the dedicated attitude Woodmore needs. Tucker was impressed with how many students are involved in fall activities.

“I believe kids miss out if they just come to school and go home,” Tucker explained.

Tucker likes the way that kids are introduced to sports at a young age, even though this can make it hard for parents because of their work.

“Some kids might not get the chance that other kids get, and I wish there was a way to correct that,” Tucker stated. He hopes to raise school involvement this year.

Tucker most definitely has the motivation of an athletic director. Although he has a lot of experience under his belt, the first year at a new school is always different.

“This is a year to see how things go so I can evaluate and make things better in future years,” Tucker explained.

Basketball coach
This past summer, Tucker hired the new varsity basketball coach.

Coach Brad Sander will be coaching the Wildcats this winter. Sander is a graduate of Genoa and was the athletic director at Lakota before coming to Woodmore. Coach Sander will be replacing former coach Rod Daniel.

Sander is looking forward to the basketball season.

“With the ability I’ve seen from previous games, I feel that we have the ability to win and win big.”

Sander is looking to build a winning program right now, not in a few years.

“He is a very likeable coach,” said Tucker.

Along with Coach Sander, a new junior varsity coach, Brett Mitchell, will also lead the Wildcats in a new direction.

Players seem to be excited about the new coaches as well.

“I’m very excited to have a new coaching staff...I’m excited for the changes to the program,” said senior Grant Weirich.

“No matter who the coach is, we have a group of hard working guys that will go out there and bust their butts,” said Weirich.

Sanders has not set any specific expectations; he wants to wait until the season begins to see how players will interact with one another. Weirich says his expectations are very high for this season. Everyone will be focused on trying to improve from last season’s record.

Reprinted with permission by journalism advisor Carolyn Nitz from the September 2010 issue of Window to Woodmore, a student publication.

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