Love of youth, sports drives Albertson

SANDPOINT — Sandpoint native Tom Albertson has spent more than a quarter century as a teacher, coach and administrator at SHS, including the last four years as athletic director. Prior to that he was an SHS student, and lettered in football, baseball and track.

Starting in the 2012-13 school year, Albertson will leave his athletic director job to become assistant principal for student management and instruction. He plans to remain at this current post for the remainder of the year, helping groom his replacement, who will be named in March.

Q: Favorite movie, food, band, book and sport?

A: Movie: Lonesome Dove.

Food: Whatever my wife Cindy cooks — she is a excellent cook.

Book: Any John Wooden book.

Sport: Track and Field.

Band: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band.

Q: What is the best part of your job as assistant principal of activities/athletics at SHS, and what is the toughest part?

A: The best part is the interaction with the student athletes, watching them develop character, work ethic and learn life lessons through the activities SHS provides. SHS and the community of Sandpoint are very supportive of activities for youth and this makes this job so rewarding. I enjoy working with other entities in the community such as the City Parks and Rec, youth sports and the 4H organization to name a few — creating comprehensive opportunities to help adolescents develop into positive young adults. The toughest part of the job is the amount of time it takes away from my wife and family to keep things running.

Q: What are a couple of your favorite memories at SHS, whether as a student, player, teacher, coach or administrator?

A: The top of the list would probably be the 2003 state champion boys track team coached by Dave Demers. I coached the shotput and discus throwers for about 20 years under Dave, and at this particular meet we placed first, second, third and eighth in the shotput and first and third in the discus. David Lissy was a double state champion and we had enough points in the first day to win the state title.

Helping current assistant basketball coach Laura (formerly Walker) Alamillo win three straight shot put titles in the early ’90s was also very special.

Watching my son Nick play on the 2003 football team under coach Puailoa. The lessons he learned have carried with him into adulthood.

I will never forget the fall of 1980, my junior year, when football teammate Allen Abromeit ran back a fumble 70 yards against Cd’A. Allen was a defensive tackle and we were escorting him into the end zone but not sure he would make it. It was bittersweet though because we ended up losing the game 24-17 for our only loss of the season. Coach Chris Lassen always had us ready for the games.

I could go on and on about great memories but really any teacher will tell you the best memories are always past students thanking you for your contribution to their success as an adult. I spent most of my career in education as a math teacher and have had several former students tell me they finally understand what I was trying to teach them. This reinforces the fact that the content will cement as long as a positive relationship is created.

Q: When you’re not directing SHS athletics and the myriad tasks that come with the job, what are some of the things that occupy your free time?

A: Most people probably don’t know that I live on and help operate the A-T family cattle ranch on Gold Creek. My parents, Don and Terri Albertson, instilled a good work ethic into their children usually centered on putting up hay, fixing fence or assisting cows in calving season. Today I continue with my childhood chores, albeit with newer equipment. Cindy and I love to spend time with our five grandchildren Tyler, Kailyn, Brady, Mason and Riley.

Q: If you had the power to change anything regarding the current state of high school athletics in Idaho, what are a couple of suggestions you might make?

I would like everyone, adults and students alike, to hold dear to their hearts the true value of competition. This includes overcoming adversity, building character through disappointment and how to be humble with success. It is so easy to lose sight of these values and focus on winning and the “what’s in it for me?” mentality. The relationship with teammates carries with you farther in life than individual accolades.

Finally, as Principal Dr. Becky Meyer would say, “It’s a great day to be a Bulldog.”

Five Questions is a chance to highlight community members who are often seen but rarely heard. The feature seeks to bring out the personal side of these individuals with details about their work and home lives. Ask your own questions online at www.bonnercountydailybee.com.