Coach Tommy, Inspiring Lemont Youth Athletes

You’ll find him at any Lemont football game or wrestling event, whether it be cheering on the high school teams or coaching Lemont’s youth programs. His name is Tommy Ambrose… Coach Tommy… one of the most dedicated coaches around. And, he’s impacting the lives of Lemont youth in ways I am forever grateful. He is the Offensive Coordinator of my son’s 10U Lemont Hornets youth football team. He’s also the head coach of the Lemont Bears Youth Wrestling Club, where he has coached all three of my sons. He’s invested countless hours into Lemont’s youth athletes. Yet, he’s not even from Lemont, he lives in Tinley Park. But, the most remarkable part… he has no kids in either program, no vested interest… it’s all volunteer and all done in between attending chiropractic school! A mere 26 years old, I suppress the urge to refer to Coach Tommy as a kid himself… he’s closer in age to my sons than to myself. Maybe that is what makes him so relatable and adored by the kids he coaches. Or, maybe it’s his charisma. Either way, kids idolize him. Coach Tommy doesn’t just coach kids, he inspires them. He turns kids into champions. He helped coach my son’s football team to become BGYFL Super Bowl champions in 2017 and helped them punch their ticket to the 2018 Super Bowl championship game this Saturday, November 10^th. Coach Tommy has turned wrestlers into state champions. He works his athletes hard, yet somehow manages to make practices fun.

Coach Tommy was first introduced to the Lemont Bears in 2014 during a chiropractic internship with Dr. Timothy Filippini, DC of Lemont Natural Healthcare. Dr. Filippini, the head coach of the Bears program at the time, convinced Tommy, a former wrestler whose whole family lives and breathes wrestling, to help coach the Bears. Coach Tommy then brought on his former Providence High School wrestling teammate, Mike Togher, as another Bears’ coach. Since then, Dr. Filippini’s son has moved onto high school and Coach Tommy has assumed the head coaching role. Coach Tommy and Coach Togher, the dynamic TnT duo, have led the Bears’ varsity wrestling room for years now. Their different coaching styles complement each other perfectly. These two coaches have altered all three of my sons’ lives for the better. They’ve not only taught my boys physically, but emotionally too… taught them not only how to win, but to win gracefully… taught them to persevere through the tough losses to become stronger and better…taught them through example to power through the pain. These are lessons I’ve only been able to impress upon in theory. They’ve reached my sons in ways that I haven’t been able. I am in awe of these two young coaches’ selfless dedication. And, yes, I am forever grateful.

My husband, also a former wrestler, always wanted our sons to wrestle, while I tried to fight it. My husband ultimately won the battle after a couple delayed years. And, my only regret is not having my boys start sooner. It’s now my favorite sport to watch, even though it can also be the toughest to watch. Wrestling instills discipline like no other sport. It’s all you on that wrestling mat…no one to hide behind, no one to help you, no one to blame but yourself. Each loss is tough, but each win is a satisfying thrill of accomplishment. If you have an 8^th grader or younger, and you’ve been contemplating wrestling for your child, it’s not too late to join the Lemont Bears this season… practices just started this week. Contact the Bears’ coaches at lemontbearswrestling@gmail.com for more information.

And, if you see either of these two fine coaches around town, let them know how fantastic they are! It’s not often you come across such young, positive role models for our children and Lemont couldn’t be luckier to have them.