Legendary Coaches: Tomy Sitton Of East Jackson

Tomy Sitton has been coaching cross country and track for 35 years.  His first 3 years were at Greater Atlanta Christian Schools, the next 15 years at Brookwood High School, 1 year at North Gwinnett High School, 7 years at Peachtree Ridge High School, and 9 years at East Jackson High School. He is excited to be starting year ten at East Jackson this summer. 

In addition to coaching young athletes in high school, I have also invested in the greater track community in many ways. In 1995, I started the state organization The Track & Cross Country Coaches of Georgia. Furthermore, I headed up the organization from 1995 to 2015, eventually turning over the reins to Matt Henson at Parkview High School. One of the most enjoyable moments of my career was being blessed to recognize and induct over 110 coaches and athletes into the Georgia State Hall of Fame, an annual part of the ATC banquets from 1996 to 2015. I was also the State of Georgia Track Clinic Director for fifteen years from 2000 to 2015.  We were grateful that the Wesleyan School was able to host this event for the majority of those years. The food specialist there made the job easier as the coaches were more interested in knowing what was for lunch and dinner every year than who was speaking! 

Gary Phillips, Executive Director of the GHSA at the time, established the GHSA Track Advisory Committee on which I continue to serve as a voice for the athletes and coaches in Georgia.  A number of the coaches involved in the State Sectionals for track made up that particular committee.  In the early 1990's, I started the Gwinnett County Cross Country and Track Banquets, which continue to exist as it recognizes the incredible athletes and their performances in Gwinnett.  Bill Sheskey started the State Website (aka Ga. Milesplit) and when he moved out of Georgia, he asked me to oversee the site which I did for nearly twenty years. In the fall of 2014, I established the Northeast Georgia Cross Country Banquet, which recognizes the top male and female runners in that part of the State (2014-2019). 

Tell us about your origins as an athlete, how you fell in love with the Sport, where you competed at and honors you won (when you first got interested in the Sport)

The love for track began early in my life. I can remember back to my first field days in 1st through 3rd grade at Florida Air Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In 9th grade, while attending Greater Atlanta Christian, I was state runner-up in the 800m. I did not like getting beat, so I was determined I would do what it took to be first on the podium. In my sophomore year, I waited until the last 50 meters to clinch the state title. My junior year, I went with 75 meters, not allowing my coach to feel at ease until I crossed the line. I set the state record in the A classification in the 800m my junior year. My senior year, I did not wait until the end as I led the whole way running 1:55.44, which was the state record for seventeen years. I did anchor both the 440 relay and mile relay while in high school. 

 In high school, I was blessed to have Coach Jerry Trenary, who was more than just my coach. He was probably the one that led me to have a passion for the sports cross country and track. Coach Tim Vick took over my senior year and he pretty much let my teammate, Jerry Harris (State Champion in cross country), and I (State Runner-up)to organize the workouts. It turned out well as we were state champions as a team my senior year in cross country. He would continue to be supportive of me as a person and runner until he recently retired from GACS. I am appreciative of all my coaches in high school. Gerald Burroughs, one of my assistant coaches, even baptized me while I was a 9th grader after confessing Jesus Christ as my Savior.

Did you compete in College and how you did there (honors) or, did you continue your love for the Sport next as a coach? 

I attended Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, where I competed in both cross country and track. I was conference runner-up my sophomore year, third in the conference in 800m my junior year, and was conference champion in the 800m my senior year with a 1:52.  My cross country years did not go as smoothly because I worked the summer before my freshman year and it did not turn out so well that fall with no training, a lesson I have shared many times with my athletes over the next 30 plus years.  Luckily, I had a year of eligibility in my fifth year and I was all-conference and all-district in cross country that year. I stayed on at Harding after getting my BA and was a graduate assistant to Coach Lloyd. Coach Lloyd was a role model to me and countless others in how to be a Christian role model to all those around him. His coaching style is how many who had him as a coach have approached their own coaching. Brad Kinser at Greater Atlanta Christian and I ran together at Harding and we often talk about Coach Lloyd's influence. I still stay in touch with Coach Trenary and Coach Lloyd to this day. 

 What, if any, coaches were your greatest influences in Cross Country and/or Track and Field and how did they affect/inspire your career?

Upon graduating from college, my background was the 400, 800 and cross country. Two strong influences on me that were at Brookwood for so many years were Joe Carter and Jerry Arnold. I did not realize until much later how they impacted my training and approach to coaching because we always shared ideas for workouts together. I coached Joe's daughter Stacy at Brookwood and have watched his son, Chris go through high school and into coaching and teaching at Brookwood. 

Jerry Arnold has been like family to me since 1987 when we both arrived at Brookwood. Jerry's friendship means the world to me. We have always been there for each other with everything life has thrown at us. Jerry was a mentor to me in meet preparation. One of the first meets we ever tackled was the Brookwood Fast Times held at Georgia Tech. I would go on to host over thirty Gwinnett County, Region, and Sectional meets from the early 1990's to 2019.

Isaiah Berry from Winder helped me with a number of female throwers in the early 1990's. Coach Moeck was a gold mine and would become an integral part of the coaching staff at Brookwood. I remember how I first met Coach Moeck. I was driving by the track at Brookwood one weekend and saw someone talking to Andrea Pappas, state record holder for years in Georgia in the discus. I pulled over and started talking to Bob Moeck. He expressed interest in working with our throwers. I was so excited to get home to call Coach Arnold to tell him I think I found a potential throws coach.  We did not have cell phones back in that time period. It did not take Coach Arnold long to see we found a good one in Coach Moeck. Coach Moeck developed great throwers right out of the gate and continued until he retired in 2019.

I would also like to recognize and thank Paul Koshewa at Westminster, Hawthorne Wesley, Brian Robinson at Alexander, Roy Benson at Marist, Andrew Hudson at Collins Hill, Fred Finke at Lyman High School, Bryan Hoddle now living in Arizona, Isaiah Berry at Winder, Cook Holliday, Brad Kinser at Greater Atlanta Christian Schools, Mark Kelley at Brookwood, Bob Roller at East Jackson, Steve Collins at East Jackson, Brady Sigler, Rik Moore, Bill Sheskey, Ed Hutcherson, Tom Williams, Lee Gower, Mark Karen, Amy Eubanks, and David Poteet. I remember Tom Williams when he was at Walton, as we would call each other before relay meets and pick which relays we would try to stack. Walton and Brookwood, as a result, would hold state records for many years in the 4 x 800m relay, Distance Medley, and the 4 x 1600m Relay.

Andrew Hudson is one of my best friends and his teams would dominate for years. Andrew and I would discuss training and best workouts. Hawthorne and Coach Koshewa were so supportive of me when I started the state organization. I still love talking to Hawthorne and I think of what he has meant to track and cross country in Georgia. Cook Holliday not only can tell the best stories, but is a legend in track in Georgia. Fred Finke has helped me over the last 20 years, especially on my path with USA Track and Field. Brad Kinser got the job at GACS and we would meet at McDonalds as we discussed training for cross country and distance. Brad's background at the time was jumps and sprints. As you can see, I had a number of people help me to get where I am today. Their guidance, knowledge, and friendship have helped me in my  life's journey 

What are the 2-3 most striking moments in Track/XC you witnessed happen? and please relive it here for us here...

In my experience coaching more than high school athletes, I have witnessed spectacular moments in track history. One that is very memorable was in 2005 when I was the head men's coach for Chiba Ekiden in Japan. That particular year the men's team was loaded as there would be three of the runners to qualify for the Olympics in 2008. I was sitting watching the screen at the stadium and everybody was excited that the United States was in the hunt for a medal. As the race transpired, the U.S. and Japan would battle it out for second in the competition losing to Kenya. The U.S. would beat Ethiopia that day and set the American Record.  The U.S. Men's team received the bronze medal that day.  Additionally, I was chosen to be the men's coach for the World Half Marathon in 2012. I was so excited to be around so many incredible athletes while in Bulgaria. In 2016 in Los Angeles and 2020 in Atlanta I was on U.S. Olympic Trials staff for the Marathon. These two opportunities were incredible. I hung out with Galen Rupp in Atlanta as I followed Rupp through the awards and interviews until he left Centennial Park.

How do you feel the Sport has advanced this Century?

The establishment of the GHSA Track Advisory Committee, The Coaches Organization established in 1995, Georgia Milesplit, and the continued support of the Atlanta Track Club are all variables that have led to positive changes in the sport of track and cross country. Georgia Milesplit has become a great network to promote the sport. The State Sectional has been one of the greatest changes to track allowing quality athletes an opportunity to make it to state out of competitive regions. The Atlanta Track Club continues to support the athletes and the community in so many ways. The GHSA Track Advisory Committee has given track and cross country coaches a seat at the table with the GHSA working on ways to promote the sport. The Coach's organization established in 1995 has grown in big numbers to push an agenda to support the athletes and coaches in cross country and track.

How challenging has it been for you to watch COVID-19 destroy the Outdoor Track season? 

It was heartbreaking to see athlete's dreams not fulfilled with a shortened season. All the hours of hard work to be able to represent their school at the state meet never happened. I am sure many athletes never got to chance to improve on their all -time bests to get an opportunity to compete in college.  

What you would you like to pass on to the next generation of young coaches about the Sport, winning and mentoring kids to become successful productive lives as adults? 

I want athletes to buy into working hard and being competitive. In coaching at five schools over thirty-five years, some things never changed. As coaches we have a great opportunity to make a difference in the athletes we coach. Some kids will remember how we pushed them to be the best they could be. Most of the kids will never run in college, but they will always remember the passion you had for members of the team. I love hearing from athletes and every once in a while you have athletes say thank you. Thank you for caring, thank you for pushing me, or thanking you for you being a positive role model. I recently received this message from an athlete that ran for me in the 1990's. We do make a difference as coaches: 

 "I came across some running pictures (1993-97) the other day. I have been meaning to scan them and send some to you. Lately I've been thinking about high school, I guess because my daughter's going into 7th grade next year, and my fondest memories are about you and the kindness and love you had for your runners. I truly appreciate everything you did for me and I'm grateful that you were part of my life!"  (Jessica Kirkland-State Champion 1994 Brookwood 3200m)

What has coaching the Sport meant in your life and what are your future plans?

It is athletes that make coaching worth it all. I am thankful for all the athletes I have coached and all the friends I have because of what I have done for thirty five years. I feel I am doing what God wants me to do.

Give us a list of all the State Team Championships/Individual State Champs you coached, or just Region Champs as a team/individuals and Coaching Honors you have achieved?

Greater Atlanta Christian Schools Hall of Fame
Gwinnett County Track & Cross Country Hall of Fame
Georgia Track & Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame
2003 Chiba Eikden Men's Coach ( Top 10) 
2005 Chiba-Eikden Men's Coach (Bronze Medal) 
 American Record: 2012 World Half Marathon Championships in Bulgaria (4th Place in the World) 2016 United States Olympic Marathon Trials Staff (Los Angeles)
2020 United States Olympic Marathon Trials Staff (Atlanta) 2005-2020 Served on USTF Men's Executive Long Distance Running Committee*

1988-1994 (Brookwood in 800, 1600, & 3200) In this 7 period Brookwood won 18 of the 21 opportunities, and in  many cases had the state runner-up in those same events. 

Individual State Champions