If you stepped onto the ‘ol gridiron at Coupeville High School's Mickey Clark Field between 1984 and 2002, chances are you heard Coach Roehl bellowing out “Get low,” “More speed,” or “There is no spoon.” Tom Roehl was a football coach at CHS for nearly twenty years, tirelessly dedicating his time and resources to the young athletes who proudly led the Wolf pack to many great victories and memorable seasons. For Coach Roehl, the lessons learned on the football field were of equal importance as the lessons learned in the classroom. He understood, though, that the lessons learned under the lights on Friday night could not be truly appreciated without a greater community perspective.

To that end, Coach Roehl was firmly dedicated to the academic achievements of his athletes as well as to the importance of involvement within ones own community. He demonstrated this dedication through many years of involvement and support in other aspects of Coupeville life. In addition to his years of coaching football at the high school, he was also a champion for community organizations that provided safe and healthy activities for the youth of Coupeville. Coach Roehl organized, coordinated, and referred the Central Whidbey Youth Athletic Association basketball league for twenty years, was a cub-scout leader, a little league baseball coach, served on the school board, the math curriculum committee and volunteered as a History Day judge. Coach Roehl was not just vocal in his encouragement but active in showing how the pursuit of excellence should be lived out in one's community. 

Coach Roehl unwaveringly stood for scholastic and civic excellence, sportsmanship and athletic prowess. To honor his beliefs, his family established a scholarship fund in his name to be awarded annually to a recipient who embodies these qualities. Past recipients include Brandon Mazdra, Taniel Lamb, Michael Bagby, Corinne Gaddis , and James Smith.

In order to raise money for this scholarship fund, two events for alumni and community members are scheduled:  "The Tom Roehl Turkey Bowl," a flag football game on Friday, November 28, 2008, at Mickey Clark Field from 2-5 pm and "The Tom Roehl Round Ball Classic," a basketball event, time and place to be announced.  The cost to play in each is $10.  In addition, donations are welcomed so the scholarship can continue to be a CHS tradition.     

If you are unable to make it to either event and would still like to donate to the scholarship fund, you can mail donations to:

The Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools (CF for CPS)

PO Box 1500

Coupeville, Washington 98239

Checks payable to CF for CPS, please note that it is for the Tom Roehl Scholarship.

For additional information you can contact Noah Roehl @ nroehl@tjroehl.com or 206.774.6503  

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