Tom Wilson - Legacy 2003

"Wils", as his many friends affectionately know him, is a native of Saginaw, Michigan and a1939 graduate of Saginaw High School.  An honor student, Tom was renowned amateur tennis player as a youth and into his young adult years.

 

Wilson went on to Ohio Wesleyan University to continue his education and tennis career.  Upon graduation, he entered the US Army Air Corps, where as a B-24 bomber pilot he flew thirty five missions over Germany between January 1943 and November 1945.  Following discharge from active duty, Tom remained a member of the Air Force reserves, retiring in 1989 with the rank of Lt. Colonel.

 

"Scotty" (another moniker of affection based upon his Scottish heritage) returned to Saginaw, where he taught from 1950-55, arriving in Ann Arbor as a social studies teacher and tennis coach in the fall of 1955.  Following six years as tennis coach, Wilson took over the Pioneer golf program in 1963.  During his thirteen years at the helm Pioneer golfers won eight conference championships and two MHSAA Class A state titles. 

A highlight of his academic career occurred in 1969 when Tom was awarded a John Hay fellowship for study in the humanities at California University at Berkley.  He points out that was an especially exciting time to be in Berkley, as it was the onset of the Vietnam conflict, and Berkley was a major troop deportation point as well as the mecca of student anti-war activities and protesters.  He served as socials studies department chair from 1970-1980, at which point he retired from public education.

 

Scotty, the father of five and grandfather of many, resides in Ann Arbor and can usually be found holding court at the University of Michigan golf course.