Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

Remember when former San Jose State football head coach Dick Tomey led the Spartans to the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque, N.M. against–you guessed it–the New Mexico Lobos in 2006? SJSU won that game 20-12 and handed a loss to UNM. Tomey’s hard work ethic played a role in the Spartans’ win.

According to Tuscon.com, Tomey asserted: “Let’s win the game first.”

Tomey didn’t care if his players were tired or the weather was unfavorable. Tomey gave his undivided attention to college football. Tomey coached the Spartans from 2005 to 2009.

10 years later, Tomey was diagnosed with lung cancer, which was saddening to say the least. I haven’t actually interviewed Tomey, but I grew up watching Spartan football and he was one of the many coaches that I’ve seen in person. Tomey was definitely more than a coach — he was also a mentor and friend to a lot of folks.

Tomey provided the vital leadership and vision to significantly overhaul the academic deficiencies that plagued the SJSU football program at the time he became head coach. SJSU became the model institution among NCAA Division I FBS for academic reform.

In appreciation for Tomey’s continued athletics program involvement and impact, the Dick Tomey Class Act Award is presented each spring at the SAMMY Awards sponsored by SJSU’s SASS unit.

On Thursday, SJSU Athletics released a statement: “The entire San Jose State University community is saddened to learn that beloved football coach Dick Tomey is undergoing treatment for lung cancer. We hold Coach Tomey in very high regard for everything he has done for our university and, specifically, for our football program since he became a member of family in 2005. Even after he concluded being our head football coach, he continues being a viable mentor, trusted voice of reason, visionary, and loyal friend to our student-athletes, coaches, athletics staff and friends of our athletics program. Our best wishes go out to Coach Tomey, his family and all who love and adore him during this challenging time.”

Tomey’s family previously released a statement: “Coach Dick Tomey was recently diagnosed with a type of lung cancer at Tucson Medical Center and is currently undergoing further tests this week at MD Anderson Medical Center in Houston, Texas.

“We (Coach and his family) greatly appreciate all the people who have reached out to help in so many ways and all the expressions of love and well-wishes being sent our way from so many people. Following Coach Tomey’s example, our family is feeling very grateful and hopeful for a positive outcome.”