By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
CIF recognizes Sierras Thomson as Model Coach award winner
awards-Model-Coach-file
Sierra’s Jack Thomson added another award to his honor, being named one of the CIF’s Model Coach Award winners recently. - photo by Bulletin file photo

It would be impossible for longtime Sierra High head baseball coach Jack Thomson’s work with the Timberwolves baseball program to go unnoticed, and it hasn’t, as the Sierra skipper was honored as one of the California Interscholastic Federation’s Model Coach Award winners Tuesday.

Thomson, who was recognized by the Sac-Joaquin Section last December as a Model Coach Award winner, garnered one of the 13 awards handed out to coaches statewide. The honor is just the latest in a long list of accomplishments from one of the area’s class acts.

“As a teacher and a coach, dating back to the early 1980’s at Manteca High and continuing to today at Sierra High,” Sierra athletic director Greg Leland said. “Jack has touched thousands of kids while he has been in the classroom and on the athletic field.

“I don’t know if people really realize the significance of Jack being named one of the best coaches out of all the high school coaches in the entire state.”

Thomson will be honored during halftime of the CIF State Football Championship Bowl Game in Los Angeles in December. The honor places Thomson in the state’s most elect company, linking him to the other prestigious winners in the award program’s ninth year.

“Obviously, I was really excited,” Thomson said of being recognized. “It is nice that you are recognized for the longevity and the contributions you’ve made; not only to your school, but to your community as well.

“I have been blessed to be at two wonderful schools and blessed to have been surrounded by great people.”

The award acknowledges coaches who have demonstrated and taught the six core ethical values of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship which make up the “Six Pillars of Character”.

Thomson was one of two Valley Oak League coaches to earn the honor, joining Sonora High’s LaDeane Hansten alongside the 2010 honorees.

“This is the highest and most prestigious award the CIF bestows upon its coaches,” CIF Executive Director Marie M. Ishida said. “We are honored to recognize coaches throughout our state who are dedicated to impacting the lives of high school student-athletes by not only teaching them the values of Pursuing Victory with Honor and the Six Pillars of Character, but also that there is more to participating in sports than just winning and losing.”

Thompson will open the 2010 season guiding his Timberwolves as they kick off the schedule by hosting Stagg today in preseason action.