Thomas Rashad, better known as Coach T, has had a lasting impression on Foran, influencing not only the sports scene but also the core values of the community. Coach T has inspired teachers and students with his constant commitment to excellence and coaching.
Coach T. explains that he’s thoroughly enjoyed his different experiences as a coach and the in-school suspension monitor. He says, “ Connecting with young people and helping guide them through the difficulties and victories of this period in their lives has hopefully been a two-way street of learning and fulfillment.”
He has now been at Foran for a year but will be leaving fairly soon. He has encouraged many students through sports and his position as ISS monitor to do their best in all aspects of life. Coach T. will soon be working at Kid Strong where he works with children to help grow confidence and teamwork skills in children from ages four to nine years old.
Coach T. states, “My plans and aspirations for the future are the same as they’ve always been. To learn and grow as a person and to follow my passions wherever they take me.”
He has impacted not only wrestling students but also many more students including Ray Jackson.
“Seeing Ray Jackson make the basketball team after all of my encouragement and guidance in teaching him the ins and outs of the game. That’s probably my favorite. Couldn’t be more proud of him and myself,” Coach T. states.
Jackson is now a part of the basketball team and is extremely grateful for the confidence he was given by Coach T.
Jackson explains, “He helped me by giving me the confidence in trying out and not letting me give up on myself and congratulating me when I did make it.”
Coach T. is one of the wrestling coaches at Foran High School. Wrestling captains Kelly Aspras and Mason explain their gratitude for what he has done with his time here. This past summer, Hallstrom went to Bucknell University for a wrestling camp and Coach T. was the chaperone.
Hallstrom states, “He would let us wrestlers have our fun and screw around when we were in our dorms but would also coach us and help us out when it was time to wrestle and practice. The other wrestlers that went to Bucknell with me would agree that if we had any other chaperone, the camp wouldn’t have been as fun.”
