Cheltenham High School Cross Country Coach Writes a Book

Cheltenham High School Cross Country Coach Writes a Book

digitalsportsnews | December 9, 2014
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  “The team never needs an individual but the individual always needs a team” are words that Coach Tom Sexton lives by. At 76 years old, he has been coaching cross country at Cheltenham High School since 1966. Sexton is a man who has been shaped by his experiences and a passion for teaching others. In 1964, he started teaching English and Latin at Pitman High School in New Jersey, where he developed his philosophy on running, coaching, teaching, and life. “At that time, they needed a cross country coach, and I knew nothing about cross country,” Sexton remembered. “But I knew I liked to run and I knew I liked to stay in shape so I took the job.” Although he would have rather coached Basketball, he was going to do the best job possible at what he was given. Sexton has extensive coaching experience in basketball. He started attending coaching clinics and doing research. Specifically, he wanted to find out who the successful cross country coaches were and talk to them. “I wanted to learn from the best how to train people,” said Sexton, who, while dedicated, was a “recreational runner,” running a couple miles at a time. In 1966, he took over Cheltenham High School’s cross country program where he still holds the position today. During his informal training years in cross country coaching, he learned from the best: Tom Donnelly, who won championships at Archbishop Wood and LaSalle College High School, and James Edward “Doc” Counsilman, to whom he has dedicated his book, “Creating a Team Like No Other.” The Coach turned Author developed the idea of writing a book during the time he taught a course to teachers called Invitational Education. “The basic philosophy of the course was, the more the teachers make the students feel respected, valued and appreciated, the higher the motivation is going to be,” Sexton said. “And I know it works, because I taught English for 37 years. It’s a totally positive approach to kids.” In 2004, he decided to teach the same course to coaches instead of teachers. Gauging the interest of people, he sent out surveys. He received over 200 stories of coaches experiences with their athletes, some inspirational and others disappointing. “You have to know how to treat people to get the best out of them,” Sexton said. “It’s just common sense and sound psychology.” He goes on to explain, “The more respect you give, the more you get back,” Sexton said. “The whole program is about respect. Kids are kids.” The book encompasses what he feels it means to be a successful coach. Sexton’s goal will always be helping others reach their potential, sports related or not, in whatever it is they want to do in life. To order a copy of “Creating a Team Like No Other,” go to amazon.com or email the author at tom_sexton@hotmail.com.