“You are who you think you are.” This was the personal mantra of the beloved wrestling coach and physical education teacher, Tom Carmody. His career at Jacksonville High School, which spanned nearly four decades, established not only a reputable wrestling record, but more importantly, teams comprised of strong, well-rounded individuals. Carmody was known and respected for his kind nature and hands-on teaching techniques. These attributes make Carmody one of the most influential role models that JHS has had the privilege of claiming as its own.
Carmody started his wrestling career while at Granite City High School, igniting a lifelong passion for the sport. Here, he was inducted into the hall of fame and then continued to excel when he attended Arkansas State University. Even the Korean War couldn’t impede his drive—he continued to wrestle for the 11th Naval District in the Marine Corps. After briefly coaching at Chapin High School, he moved to Jacksonville, where he would be a wrestling coach and physical education teacher for the next 37 years. Thus began an influential and historic career at JHS.
When Tom Carmody arrived in 1955, JHS had had an unsuccessful first year of wrestling—with a 2-13 record. Carmody took over the program with fresh ideas and contagious energy, determined to turn the team around.
This determination proved successful, as he had a 70 percent winning record over the course of 37 years. For 27 straight seasons, the coach was able to boast more wins than loses. When Carmody’s career came to a close, he had proudly claimed a record of 353-146-8. However, perhaps the only thing greater than the amount of matches he won was the amount of lives he affected.
Carmody’s pupils recall his kind and gentle demeanor, as well as his strong and admirable techniques in teaching. Co-captain of the 1957 wrestling team, Bill Saxer, fondly remembers that Coach Carmody was “always involved with the students.” His hands-on, “firsthand teaching,” allowed his students to excel to their highest potential. Carmody was one to teach by example, not only in his coaching, but also in his everyday life. In turn, his principles were ingrained in his students’ minds.
This was especially evident in the eyes of Steve West, who wrestled for Carmody for three seasons in high school. West also did his secondary student teaching under Mr. Carmody and was a member of his coaching staff for 13 years. He states that Tom was his mentor and credits Carmody for his teaching and coaching strategies, as did many other young coaches at the time. West recollects that “Tom was a straight shooter” and had a vast “knowledge of the sport.”
This vast knowledge carried on to and lives through his grandson, Grant Carmody, a junior at Jacksonville High School. Grant, who wrestles at the high school, vividly remembers his grandfather’s support and influence on his own wrestling career. Grant says that Carmody gave him “advice after [his] matches” and told him what he could correct and work on throughout the season.
The guidance and care displayed by Coach Carmody outlasts any record that he has set. His students will always remember the attitude and determination that he embodied. Carmody showed his students how to be the best versions of themselves. Though his humble demeanor conveyed otherwise, it is clear that Mr. Tom Carmody was who others aspired to be.