When the IATC decided to name an award after Laverne Kloster, one of its founding members, it was decided that this award would be one based on service; Commitment to our sport. Tim Thomas made a commitment to our sport as an outstanding distance runner in his hometown of Huntertown, Indiana in the mid 60’s where he was a three time cross country MVP and school record holder in the 2 mile.
After graduating from high school, Tim took his talents to Tarkio College in Tarkio, Missouri where he was a standout on the cross country and track teams and graduated with degrees in Physical Education and Mathematics in 3 years.
He was raised in Indiana, went to college in Missouri and Kansas, taught middle school in Kansas and in 1978 he landed in Wilton, Iowa. Fortunately for us, he stayed in our great state for the rest of his teaching and coaching career.
He has coached wrestling, baseball, girls and boys basketball, football, track and field and cross country during his 39 year coaching career. It is his commitment to track and field and cross country that we honor Tim today.
After a 7 year stint in Wilton, Tim went to Collins-Maxwell for 2 years, and Centerville for 5 years before spending the final 17 years of his career in the Galva-Holstein school district.
It is at Galva-Holstein where Tim has really been able to shine as a coach and Athletic Director. Tim was chosen as the Northwest District Junior High AD of the year in 2005 and the Districts High School AD of the year in 2007. His Boys and Girls cross country teams have combined for 21 Maple Valley/Western Valley Conference titles, four district championships and 15 trips to the state meet with 8 top ten team finishes.
For those outstanding achievements in Cross Country, Tim was named IATC Class 1-A Regional Coach of the Year 8 times.
As the head boys and girls track coach, his teams won a combined 4 District/Regional championships, 4 conference championships, and crowned 6 state champions along with numerous Drake Relays and state meet qualifiers and place winners. Tim was named IATC Regional 1-A Track and Field Coach of the Year twice.
Tim is a past president of the IATC, and remains active in the Senior All Star track and cross country meets and the Mike Henderson junior high track and field meet of which he is a past director. He is a member of the IATO; served a 6 year stint on the Track and Field Advisory Board and has been a registered track and field official for 39 years. He has been meet director for the 40 team Galva Holstein Cross Country Classic for 17 years, meet director for the Galva-Holstein Relays for 14 years, the Russ Kraai Relays for 13 years and meet director for 15 District/Regional track meets.
Tim has been active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for over 30 years and he and his wife Ann currently serve as Huddle leaders for the FCA.
Tim and Ann are very active in their church and have been involved in the Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity. They are the proud parents of two sons.