Tom Wilson has decided it’s time to move on.
The longtime teacher, coach, and current activities director for Sweetwater County School District No. 2 announced earlier this month he planned to retire at the end of the school year.
Wilson said he has been taking the steps towards retirement the past several years, but he wasn’t sure when the absolute right time would be to step down from the position he’s held for the past 14 years.
“The deciding factor was that it was my oldest grandson’s 16th birthday in January and I had to be here for a tournament. That’s when it was time,” Wilson said. “I coached through my children’s youth and missed a good portion of that, and I just can’t miss out on my grandchildren anymore.”
Sweetwater County School District No. 2 Board chairman and “Voice of the Wolves” Steve Core has worked closely with Wilson for almost 30 years, and has a great appreciation for what he has done for the school district.
“There isn’t a guy in the district that cares more about the district than Tom Wilson. I’d put him at the top,” Core said. “He will be missed.”
Looking back at Wilson’s career, Core said he may be best known for the creating of the Green River High School Hall of Fame that was established in 2009.
“The hall of fame is his bell-cow, I think it’s a jewel for the district,” Core said.
Wilson said the project actually began in the summer of 2007 when the decision was made to update state, regional, and conference banners in Wolves Gymnasium.
Through the research, Wilson said what he discovered went far beyond what can be tallied on a scoreboard and unveiled the multitude of students, teachers, administrators, teams, community and staff members whose accomplishments were so rare and have changed the lives of so many that their legacy must be acknowledged.
So far, there have been a total of six classes inducted into the hall and Wilson feels it is a great tribute to the community.
“The hall was an idea I had, but it’s the community, school, and alumni that make it work,” Wilson said. “I’m glad our community has embraced it. It’s an important part of our history. For that I’m grateful.”
Looking back at his time as activities director, Wilson said the biggest highlight of his job was working with people.
“I enjoyed every bit of it. I’ve enjoyed the coaches and kids I’ve had the opportunity to work with,” he said.
During his tenure as AD, he said they have had three core values they hold their coaches accountable to.
“We expect them to compete, we expect them to be prepared, and them to represent our community,” Wilson said.
While there has been plenty of success during his tenure including a Class 5A state football championship in 2004 and a run of six-straight titles by the high school speech team, Wilson said it’s just as important for the students and coaches to uphold the three core values.
A fixture at Green River High School sporting events, Wilson will often times have kids he has taught, coached, or worked with as an administrator approach him as he stands on the sidelines.
He said them approaching him is the most satisfying and gratifying part of being an educator and administrator.
“It’s the best payment of all. Nobody gets in education to get rich. You get rich on those things. When kids as adults say thank you, the the most gratifying part of education,” he said.
When Wilson stepped down as head coach of the football team, he said it was difficult because it was a different way of reaching kids.
“You just want to make a difference and coaching always gave you a different venue to do that,” he said.
Wilson also feels stepping down from this position will be difficult, but in its own way.
“It’s difficult in it’s own aspect because your career is coming to an end and your moving on to another phase of your life,” he said. “Every time you make a decision to move to a new phase it has its own personal challenges.”
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