By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/17/12
Downingtown West’s Tommy Hannum has been named the Phillylacrosse.com Boys’ Team Coach of the Year for 2012.
Hannum guided the Whippets to an undefeated Ches-Mont League season and their third straight league championship. His Whippets went 22-2 overall and placed third in the District 1 tournament.
Besides winning, Hannum has been respected as a tireless coach and leader for many years in Philadelphia lacrosse. He has coached over 20 straight years at the high school level – previously at Marple Newtown and Wrest Chester East – and started the West program nine years ago after Downingtown High split into West and East.
Hannun, who also owns and operates Hannum’s Harley-Davidson, decided to retire after this season to spend more time with his family as well as his business. He had an overall record of 139-56 at Downingtown West, but his biggest impact was his commitment to his players.
“He put so much time into being our coach,” said Downingtown West senior midfielder Eric Rankel, the league’s MVP this year. “He would go to every tournament. He always thought of his players first, along with his family. He always showed how much he cared about us.
“He would be there for us every Wednesday, no matter what season. Sometimes he would bring back college players to tell us what it’s like playing in college or he would talk to college coach during as tournament and motivate us by telling us something he said.”
Rankel knew his team had a chance for a special season in 2012.
“He helped us with our off-season lifting and motivated us starting in the fall,” said Rankel. “Once we stepped out on the field he pushed us hard with conditioning.
“Every day after practices we would watch film that helped us throughout the season in knowing how the other team played. Halfway through the year we knew the squad was special and could go undefeated. He knew how to run the offense and defense.”
Hannum, a former Philadelphia Wing whose career record was 316-131, also was happy to see his players give back to the community. He was a driving force behind the annual Brian Houshower Lacrosse Festival held each fall to honor the memory of a former lacrosse player.
For Hannum, coaching was his way to give back to the sport he loves.
“Coaching was all about giving back and giving young men a positive environment to develop in,” he said.
Coming next…
Wednesday, July 18 – Philylacrosse.com Boys’ Attackmen, Girls’ Attack-Midfield
Thursday, July 19 – Phillylacrosse.com Boys’ Midfielders/LSM, Girls’ Midfielders 1
Friday, July 20 – Phillylacrosse.com Boys’ Defensemen, Girls’ Midfielders 2
Saturday, July 21 – Phillylacrosse.com Boys’ Goalies/FO, Girls’ Defenders, Goalies
Sunday, July 22 – Phillylacrosse.com Boys’, Girls’ High Honorable Mention teams
Monday, July 23 – Phillylacrosse.com South Jersey Boys’, Girls’ teams
Tuesday, July 24, Phillylacrosse.com northern Delaware Boys’ team, Girls’ Players of Year
