Between Two Desks with Tom Ackerman
Welcome to Between Two Desks, an interview series where St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Commissioner Dr. Dick Kaiser talks with Athletic Directors from around the league. Throughout the series get to learn more about each school's AD, how they got to the position they are in, and why they love working in athletics. Today we meet Tom Ackerman, Athletic Director at Greenville University.
Very few people have the opportunity to achieve great success as a collegiate coach and now as an administrator in their hometown at their alma mater. But that is just what has transpired for Greenville University AD, Tom Ackerman, and I recently had the opportunity to speak with Tom in an extended interview and these are some excerpts from that discussion.
How long have you been at Greenville University?
I have been at Greenville University for the past 22 years. I started out as the volleyball coach and Director of Conference Services. I've had multiple duties during my time here at the college but I'm still in my first love of being the volleyball coach and this is my third year serving as the Athletic Director. This past year I was also asked to take on the responsibility of being the Chief Enrollment officer for the college, so I'm staying pretty busy.
Where did you grow up?
My parents moved to Greenville when I was in the 4th-5th grade. I think I was 10 years old and now this is my 33rd year living in Greenville. Both of my parents went to work for Greenville University and I grew up in the gym because my mom worked for the athletic department. My parents also served as foster parents while I was growing up and sometimes we'd have as many 8-10 more teenage boys living in our household with us. It was a very interesting time, to say the least, and there are lots of untold stories about that period of my life.
Where did you attend high school and did you participate in high school athletics?
I went to high school right here in Greenville. Interesting story there, I did not play in organized high school sports for a variety of reasons. However, both of my parents had played volleyball and due to my access to the gym, I began playing volleyball at an early age. Throughout my high school days, I played club and travel volleyball pretty much all over the region.
Where did you attend college and did you participate in college athletics?
I stayed local and attended Greenville University where I earned my degree in Recreation Leadership and Sports Management. During college, I continued to play club volleyball and had the opportunity to travel in the region but eventually, I also got to coach and play internationally after college.
What convinced you to go into athletics as a profession?
I think I saw the impact that athletics could make on youth and I felt I could use athletics to be able to get involved with their lives. I also saw athletics as an avenue to share my faith. My experiences growing up as a youth provided me some real insight as to how positive influences could make a difference in someone's life. My favorite part of my job is working with the players and watching them grow in their abilities and as individuals.
Within your resume, where were your most important professional stops along the way that helped you?
After I graduated, I got a position in Chesterfield at a business called the Little Gym. I started out as a fitness trainer and then worked my way up to a program director and was involved heavily in sales. I really learned a lot about marketing and sales within that position. At the Little Gym, I feel like I got tremendous experience in dealing with people as well as I learned the business end of the operation. I was at the Little Gym for 5 years, but eventually, the drive back and forth wore me out. When a full-time opportunity opened at Greenville, I felt like it was the right calling for me and so I left the Little Gym and started at Greenville. It has been a slow climb for me to eventually get to the AD position here at Greenville. I began coaching part-time as an assistant and then eventually became the head coach. Just three years ago, I was given the opportunity to become the AD. All of those steps along the way helped prepared me for my other current position as Chief Enrollment Officer. I try to work and apply what I have seen as being successful in recruiting and coaching to try to bridge the gap between athletics and admissions for our coaches and prospective recruits.
Are there any specific individuals that feel were great mentors that helped you along the way?
Growing up in Greenville, former basketball coach and athletic director Jack Trager was like a grandpa to me. My mom worked for him in athletics and I was always around Coach Trager and athletics in general. The next individual would definitely be Doug Faulkner. I learned how to do my job piece by piece through Coach Faulkner. His help and guidance has been really appreciated because he hired me and invested in my life and beyond. Lastly would be current Greenville President Suzanne Davis, she played volleyball here while I was a student. She has provided me some great realization of our college and my role at the college.
What experiences along the way best prepared you to be an AD at the college level?
It's amazing what you learn when you are involved in all levels of athletics. I gained some tremendous experience with marketing at the Little Gym and then with parental involvement when I started building and doing a lot of camps. I really enjoy the relationship I build with the students and I don't want to ever lose that perspective on why I am doing what I love to do. As much as I enjoy being the AD and working with President Davis, my true passion is coaching and I hope to eventually retire from Greenville as just a coach and teacher.
What do you find most rewarding within your position as the Athletic Director?
I have attempted to surround myself with extremely functioning people. I don't have an ego involved as AD because all our people know what they are doing and how to do it. I have been extremely blessed to be working with such great individuals.
Not counting the pandemic, what have you found to be the most taxing as it relates to your position?
Since I started my additional position in admissions, I have close to 70 individuals that ultimately report to me. My day is filled now with meetings and dealing with all the personnel issues that are required in athletics and admissions. It takes so much time to deal with all the various things that come up daily and to try to track plus record the issues that cross my desk. I am very fortunate to have some amazing people that work in both departments and the consistency of the coaching staff has been very helpful.
As a coach or administrator, what has been a real highlight in your career?
My years of coaching at Greenville have brought me great enjoyment. Our teams were the first to win the SLIAC in 2010 and go to the NCAA tournament. We have been fortunate to have only 1 losing season since I became head coach and that says a lot about the quality people that have played for Greenville as well as helped me coach these teams. The 7 consecutive regular-season volleyball championships are obviously a highlight for all of us connected to the programs during those seasons.
What advice would you give to every student-athlete about their college experience?
I'm sure everyone has pretty much said the same thing, that is it's all about the students. I feel that the relationships you build in college should trump everything. The students need to be intentional in building long-lasting relationships. Then I would also say, the students should get involved in other things than just athletics. A small school like Greenville provides so many opportunities for students to gain and create unique experiences they may not get at larger schools that will help them to grow as individuals.
Finally, as we close this Q & A, please tell me about your family.
My wife, Carrie, and I have been married for 17-18 years. She is a Greenville graduate, played volleyball at Greenville, and is originally from Phoenix, Arizona. Carrie is a professor of social work here at Greenville. We also have 4 boys and they definitely keep us young trying to stay up with them through all their activities. Our house is much like the home I grew up in and that is that it definitely serves as a gathering spot for the local groups and it is non-stop energy. The boys are; Tyson, a sophomore, Cale, an 8th grader, and the twins, Paxton and Bauer who are in the 5th grade.
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