2016-2017 Eagle Times Issue 10 | Page 12

Head Coach Tommy Connors

By: Huey Campbell

Head Coach Tommy Connors is an alumnus of Visitation of Our Lady Grade School, Archbishop Shaw High School, and Southeastern Louisiana University. He began playing football at the Ponchatoula Area Recreation District (PARD) Park; moved on to high school football at Shaw, receiving All District Team honors in 2004 and 2005 and District Defensive MVP and Team MVP in 2005; he played in college football at SLU; and played for the All Southern Conference team in 2006-2008 and 2010 and All-American in Italy in 2008. For seven years, Coach Connors has taught and coached football at Shaw, taking the role as Defensive Coordinator in 2015 and 2016. Now, he proudly and excitedly assumes the honor and responsibility of Head Coach of the the Archbishop Shaw High School Football Team.

At the Shaw Alumni Association meeting on Wednesday, April 5, Coach Connors presented what he plans to do as head coach. First, he spoke of instilling into each individual the virtues of family (the comfort you feel around your teammates and coaches that is necessary for self-improvement), toughness (the ability to overcome adversities which are common on and off the field), respect (patience and effort given to the members and training process), and culture (constant enthusiasm and spirit despite the challenges which is necessary for victory). Next, he spoke of the immediate changes to the football program which include but not limited to the following: new coaches, more efficient practice pace, music in the weight room to boost moral, more sub-varsity activity for experience, etc.