Dear JPII Families,

It has been a busy few months since I began serving as Athletic Director. While I have met many of you, there are still others I have yet to meet. Allow me to introduce myself, share my vision for JPII athletics, and highlight what our Athletic Department has accomplished since my arrival.

First, let me say that I am truly honored and excited to serve as your new Athletic Director. The mission and values of JPII align with the way I strive to live my life and the principles I seek to instill in our young people. JPII is a community deeply committed to faith, education, and service, and I hope to extend these virtues into every student’s athletic experience.

My athletic journey began with BMX bike racing, which sparked a lifelong love of cycling (I still own four bikes!). That same year—1977—I discovered that what I lacked in hand-eye coordination, I made up for in distance running.

High school was devoted primarily to running, especially cross country. In 1982, my teammates and I stood atop the podium as State Cross Country Champions. That was my first real lesson in dedication and the value of a “will-not-be-denied” attitude. Our coach taught us the importance of character, perseverance, and how shared effort transforms teammates into lifelong friends. I still message Coach—now in his 80s—at least once a month. That experience ultimately led me to coaching and, eventually, to becoming an athletic director. I hope every young athlete can have a similarly life-shaping experience.

I was blessed to continue my running career at West Virginia University, where I met a young woman on the women’s cross-country team who later became my wife of 35 years. It was also there that I learned the extreme demands of being a three-sport varsity athlete while pursuing a degree in Landscape Architecture. Anyone who has known an architecture student understands that sleep is often optional.

After college, I rekindled my love of cycling, added swimming, and spent the next 25 years competing in triathlons. What began with short sprint races eventually grew to include Ironman competitions. The greatest lesson from Ironman racing is that it’s not about reaching the finish line—it’s about having the courage and discipline to make it to the starting line. The journey is about the people you meet and train with along the way. Qualifying for the U.S. Team was an incredible honor and brought yet another unforgettable experience—marching in the Parade of Nations. Along the way, I also gained an extensive education in sports physiology.

Professionally, after several years with a civil engineering firm, I accepted a position as Chief of Planning for the City of Annapolis, a role I held for 32 years. There, I learned valuable lessons in politics, skilled negotiation, and community building. Annapolis upheld the highest standards in design, preservation, and sustainability—standards supported by both the City Council and Planning Commission (though, if you were a developer, you might have seen things differently!).

While my work enhancing the quality of life in Annapolis was deeply fulfilling, I also felt called to give back to the athletic community. When our son entered high school at St. Mary’s, I was offered the opportunity to coach cross country. After declining twice, I finally accepted—and it changed my life. I quickly learned the immense rewards of mentoring young people and discovered my true calling. I was the first coach at St. Mary’s to introduce a team chaplain; now, every team has one. I also helped launch Play Like a Champion Today and founded S.A.I.L. (Student-Athletes in Leadership), both programs dedicated to building faith and leadership through sport—values that perfectly mirror our mission at JPII.

After twelve rewarding years of coaching at St. Mary’s, I transitioned to serve as the school’s Athletic Director. My wife and I decided it was time to retire from city service and dedicate ourselves full-time to St. Mary’s. As long-time parishioners, it was a tremendous honor to represent both the church and the high school. Together, we guided 450 student-athletes and 80 coaches, oversaw the construction of a new $1.9 million state-of-the-art practice field, eliminated the need to rent off-campus facilities, and created new revenue by renting our fields after hours.

During my three decades in Annapolis, I also worked with the U.S. Naval Academy’s track and cross-country programs. What began as a finish-line official led to serving as head official and eventually as a judge on the Patriot League Track and Field Jury. Six of my former St. Mary’s runners have since gone on to attend the Academy—a point of great pride.

My journey to the Lowcountry began with a visit to Habersham, the community designed by architect Andrés Duany, whose work I have long admired as an urban planner. That visit led to meeting a family whose son attended JPII and, soon after, to a conversation with Principal Rembold. I was instantly drawn to the JPII community and ready to volunteer. But God had other plans—JPII needed an Athletic Director. When President Lima showed me the school’s master plan and described his vision, I knew I had found the perfect opportunity to unite my passions for athletics, architecture, and planning. I was hooked.

Developing a vision for an athletic program in a growing school began with meeting each head coach to understand their needs and how their programs align with JPII’s mission. I see two key pillars for the future of JPII Athletics: student-athlete development and facility improvement.

Our vision begins with investing in our student-athletes—developing them holistically through life and leadership skills while ensuring they grow socially, emotionally, and spiritually. We emphasize academics alongside athletics, where the “student” always comes before the “athlete.” That development begins the moment our students arrive and continues through graduation.

Leadership development is central to this vision. Play Like a Champion Today will be an integral part of our program, with character formation as its foundation. We are One JPII, and we must foster a unified athletic community where all teams support one another in an inclusive, trusting environment. Every student-athlete must feel valued—regardless of their sport or role on the team.

In coaching the coaches, I see my role as helping them grow as leaders and role models while integrating athletics holistically. It’s essential to provide continuing education on topics such as injury prevention, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and sports psychology. As Georgetown University Athletic Director Lee Reed said, “It’s not about being bigger, faster, stronger to win a game—it’s about life through sport.” I wholeheartedly embrace this philosophy and will work to ensure our coaches do too.

Investing in JPII’s athletic future also means creating and enhancing facilities that meet the needs of our growing programs. We want student-athletes and their families to choose JPII for its exceptional facilities—places that help every athlete reach their full potential. Achieving this requires collaboration among our Booster Club, parent supporters, and the wider community, along with both short- and long-term planning to fund and execute these improvements.

Over the past several months, we have implemented several changes to better support our student-athletes. One notable update is our new athletic apparel and equipment partnership with Under Armour and BSN Sports. This agreement provides substantial discounts, faster production of uniforms, and excellent customer support. It’s a smart business decision for JPII—and our athletes and coaches are thrilled with the quality.

We’ve also expanded the use of Hudl to livestream all games, and we’re exploring ways to integrate ticketing and concessions into the platform to streamline operations. This unified system could even be used for ticketed school events such as plays, dances, and other campus activities.

Finally, we plan to relocate and expand our weight room into the facilities building. A larger, more functional space is essential to accommodate our growing teams. Strength training is vital not only for performance but also for injury prevention—a key focus for today’s young athletes.

In conclusion, my goal is not only to build better athletes but to help form remarkable young people. I am grateful for the support of Principal Rembold and President Lima and look forward to partnering with parents and the JPII community as we continue to grow and strengthen our athletic program.

Sincerely,
Tom Smith
Athletic Director
John Paul II Catholic School