Tom Welsh made a good first impression in year one as the women’s volleyball coach at Morton College.
On the court, the Panthers’ three conference wins in 2019 was one more than the previous three seasons combined. Also, Morton College’s 13 wins were the most by a first-year coach in women’s volleyball program history.
Welsh’s impact was felt immediately when the Panthers beat Ancilla for the first time this decade in his debut. Morton College’s season also included ending a 15-match losing streak against Kankakee and closed the regular season on a four-game winning streak.
The Panthers, who finished 13-14, also were 22nd nationally in the NJCAA Division II with 259 service aces.
Off the court, the Panthers were recognized as an NJCAA Academic Team of the Year, which goes to schools with a team grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.
The Panthers got the job done in the classroom with a team GPA of 3.19. Leading the way were NJCAA All-Academic First Team selections Maya Stovall and Julia Owens, and NJCAA All-Academic Second Teamer Rebeka Tovar. First Team members have an individual GPA of 4.0, while Second Team selection GPAs are in the range of 3.80 to 3.99.
Owens, Stovall and Tovar also were selected to the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference's all-academic athletic team as were fellow teammates Ruby Favela, Ewelina Zahora and Elizabet Martinez. Those individuals had GPAs of 3.0 or higher.
"It's something we've strived for all year," Welsh said. "The players deserve all the credit in the world. I can't be any more proud of our program."
Morton College was just one of two Skyway teams honored by the NJCAA and one of eight in Region IV.
Welsh, who brought 15 years of high school and club coaching experience to Morton College, promotes an atmosphere where academics are of the utmost importance.
"If you excel in the classroom, you'll more than likely excel on the court," Welsh added.
The Naperville native has been successful at all levels, starting as a high school student at Neuqua Valley when Welsh guided his younger sister’s junior high team at Saints Peter and Paul in Naperville to a championship season.
He led Arcola, a Class 1A high school in central Illinois, to its best three-year run in a decade before moving on to spend a year at Monticello, a Class 3A school near Champaign. In addition, Welsh has coaching experience at the Naperville and Prime Time volleyball club programs.
Welsh’s coaching philosophy is centered around four pillars – respect, hard work, passion and having fun.
“I like to focus on the person,” Welsh said. “I treat people with the respect I wanted to be treated with. I try to lead by example. It is all about respect, discipline and holding yourself accountable. Volleyball is a great way to teach life’s lessons.”
The start of Welsh’s second season is delayed. The NJCAA moved the volleyball season from the fall of 2020 to the spring of 2021 due to the coronavirus.
Welsh, who played for four years at Neuqua Valley and two on a club team at the College of DuPage, got involved in coaching to stay involved in a sport he has grown to love.
“I coach to impact young peoples’ lives,” said Welsh, the Fitness Center’s assistant nutrition manager at Morton College. “I don’t do it for the recognition and the accolades. I pretty much remember everyone I have coached. I hope the lessons I’ve taught helps them in their day-to-day lives and that they teach them to others.”
