Coach Evans was one of the finest coaches I
have had the pleasure to meet. I was a football player, not a wrestler, but
always enjoyed watching him coach and playing racket ball with him while I was
at OU. Rick Goodwin
Regan Wright, San Diego, California
Dear Family of Tommy Evans,
I was so sorry to hear of Tommy Evans death. He was a fine man and a great
wrestlung coach. As a leterman on coach Tommy Evan's Oklahoma teams in 1959 and
1960 I remember him as a leader, a role model and wonderful coach. I remember
the time he rented an airplane and took me and my girl frind on a flight around
Norman and Oklahoma City. It was a big thrill for me since it was only the
second time I had been in an airplane.I don't believe I've known anyone who had
as many friends or who deserved them more than coach Tommy Evans.He was a
trmendous person, an outstanding wrestler in high school and college and as good
a friend and coach as anyone would ever want. Tommy Evans was a very special
person and I believe everone who came in contact with him came away as a better
person. He treated everyone the same and I never heard him say an unkind word
about anyone.Tommy Evans was a real Champion and I hope you find comfort in your
good memories and in the happy years you shared
Sincerely, Regan Wright
Walt Lipke, Norman/Oklahoma
I knew of Tommy from his being OU's wrestling coach for many years. Later I
became acquainted with him from playing racquetball. I found him to be a
wonderfully friendly person. As we became better acquainted I learned that he
and I went to the same high school in Tulsa - Will Rogers ...with about a 10
year separation. I always admired him and what he had achieved in his life
...and often wondered how such a gentle man was such a successful wrestler and
coach. May God bless and keep Tommy.
Kenny Belford, Tulsa, OK
During one of years I was the head coach of
the Union Elementary Wrestling Club in Tulsa, we needed to fill an assistant
coaching slot. Tommy volunteered for the position. At the time I was already
eligible for AARP membership and Tommy was 15 years older than me. A member of
the board wanted to conduct an interview with him.
After the initial introductions we sat down and the interview started. The board
member's first question to Tommy seemed logical, but it provided one of the
great moments we're sometimes fortunate enough to be witness to. He asked Tommy,
"Do you have any previous wrestling experience?"
Tommy glanced at me quickly, smiled, then looked at the board member and quietly
replied, "Well, I was a two-time NCAA champion and was voted the "Outstanding
Wrestler Award" at the NCAA Championships... twice!
"I was the Head Wrestling Coach at the University of Oklahoma for thirteen years
and my teams won two NCAA National Championship team titles. I was in the
Olympics twice and won a silver medal. I was the Head Coach for the USA team at
the World Championships and also the USA team Head Coach at the Olympics."
He stopped at that point and I added, "He was also inducted into the USA
National Wrestling Hall of Fame."
There was a long pause, as the board member tried to find a way to recover from
even asking that question, Then he simply replied, "Welcome aboard."
That year, working with a little league team, I had as "assistant" coach, one of
the true legends in the sport, and one of nicest fellows I've ever met.
David and Pat Reinhart Kerrville, TX
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this
difficult time.
Granville Liggins , TORONTO, ONTARIO
It was with great sadness that, this weekend, I received the news of the passing
of Coach Tommy Evans. This news caused me to reminisce about my days at OU and
the very positive impact Coach Evans had on my life.
As we the salutation of "president" that of "coach" is one that, once bestowed
can never be revoked. And rightfully so! Although I attended OU on a football
scolarship granted in 1963. and certainly football was my focus, Coach Evans
approached me and asked that I join the wrestling team. Reluctantly I did so
but, have never regretted that decision. Coach Evans taught me three
fundamentals which would serve me well, not only in the sport of wrestling but
also in my football career. More importantly, however, these fundamentals would
help me in the game of life. Quite simply, Coach Evans imparted to me, and I'm
sure to many others, the value of training, timing and tenacity.
Coach Evans also instilled in me the truth that bigger is not a guarantee of
better and it was his confidence in me that allowed me to recognize confidence
in myself and go on to win the Big 8 Wrestling Championship against Ted
Tuinestra of Iowa State in 1967.
Let me just say that Coach Evans had a profound and permanent impact on my life
and I will be forever in his debt.
I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Coach Evans' family and to the
many who consider themselves a member of Coach Evans' extended family. For me,
he was a mentor and role model I will never forget. He will be missed!
Until we meet again, Coach!
BOOMER SOONER!
Granville Liggins
Kendall S Mann, Greensboro, NC
Tommy,
I will always remember you as one of the finest people I ever had the honor of
knowing. I'll never forget hiding in the garage playing ping pong just trying to
stay out of sight! You were the best. I'm glad you found peace!
I was possibly the only
person who knew Tommy Evans as both a wrestling coach and pilot in the national
guard. I first met Tommy when he was the head official at the 4th Army
Wrestling Championships in Ft. Hood, Texas. I told him that when I got out of
the Army, I wanted to go back to college to get my degree, and fly in the
guard. Tommy said come see me I’m the company commander in Norman, Oklahoma,
which I did.
After 1 ½ years attending Wichita State and traveling to Norman to guard drills,
I transferred to OU (Tommy took care of everything of getting me admitted and
enrolled). Right before school started in the fall of 1971 he asked me if I
could use a part-time job. I said a little extra spending money would be nice.
He said how would you like to run an athletic dorm? I asked him what it
entailed and what I would get, which was a free apartment, free meals, free
tickets to all the athletic events, and parking permit. I thought that was
reasonable, then he said you’ll have to meet Port. I knew of Port Robertson
because my roommate in Vietnam was Bill White the captain of the 1961 OU
football team. Port approved of me and it was the beginning of a lifelong
relationship.
I asked Tommy if I could work out with the wrestling team. He said you can, but
by the middle of December you won’t be able to hang with them because of the
great condition they get into. I was working out with the upper weights (making
sure I never wrestled with Wayne Wells!). About January, Tommy said you are a
little better than I thought you were. Would you be willing to do some things
related to coaching for me? He said Wayne only gets paid $3,000 a year, and
said that wasn’t enough for him to handle any administrative work. So I began
handling things, and one day he said you are an assistant coach, which was
something that in my wildest dreams did I ever aspire to, because it was beyond
the scope of my dreams. I knew how to coach, but I had no credentials as a
wrestler. But, I was willing to work hard, and do whatever needed to be done
without someone begging me to do it. I think that was what endured me to him
and Port, and later Stan Abel.
I watched him work out everyday with Wayne Wells in the spring of 1972, when
Wayne was training for the Olympics. I would swear that after 15 minutes Tommy
was beating Wayne. I’d hear Wayne scream when Tommy was on top, and he’d say to
Wayne now if that hurts too much let me know and I won’t do it again. Wayne
never asked him to stop. Then Wayne would get on top, and I never heard Tommy
do anything but groan a little bit and get back to his base. People said Gable
was beating Wells at the Olympic camp after 15 minutes, I said yeah Evans did
the same thing and he was 20 years older. Gable had better PR than Tommy, who
never tried to attract attention to himself, but he deserved a lot more than he
got. I never saw a tougher wrestler than Tommy Evans, and I’ve been actively
involved in wrestling since 1960.
Tommy asked for me to fly with him whenever possible. He said Warren all the
pilots want to talk about wrestling, but you are the only one who understands
it. I knew what a great situation I was in, to be able to fly for 2 hours at
least 24 times a year with him, and pick the mind of one of the greatest
wrestlers and coaches there has ever been in the U.S., and the world. I owe him
more than I could ever repay. Tommy allowed me to be in a circle of the elite
wrestlers and coaches, which would never have happened without his kindness,
generosity, and guidance.
I’m happy that I was able to remember him as he was, not how the last 20 years
of suffering. I was going to visit him years ago, but Port told me that the
only person he recognized was his son Brian, and then not all the time. I would
have made the visit everytime I was in Oklahoma, but because I didn’t I never
suffered the heartbreak that his closest friends and relatives have endured
these past two decades. I am glad the suffering is over for him. Truly he was
one of the all time greats, I don’ think we’ll ever see the likes of him again.
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