Presentation Summary:Biography: Coach Cross received his B. S. in History from Pan Handle A&M in 1951. He spent the next 2 years in the 82nd Airborne at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He began his teaching and coaching career in 1953 at a Junior High School in Kansas. There he met another first year teacher, June, and they were married in May of 1954 . . . "If we can hold on for 2 weeks and 2 days we will celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary."
While coaching High School football, he received his M. S. in Physical Education at Ft. Hays, Kansas State University in 1958. His thirty-seven years of coaching football and track include 21 years in public schools and 16 years at the college level.
From the beginning, Coach Cross had a keen interest in fitness and conditioning for athletes. He attended his first NSCA convention in 1982 and has been an active member for the past 22 years. In 1989, he made the decision to seek employment as a college strength and conditioning coach. Following advice from Boyd Epley, he earned his CSCS in 1990. He began as a volunteer at the University of Tulsa and became the head strength and conditioning coach in 1991. The Golden Hurricanes compiled a 9-2 record that season and went on to defeat San Diego State and Marshall Faulk in the Freedom Bowl. During that time, "Tubby" Smith took the basketball team to their first "Sweet Sixteen" appearance, and Coach Cross was selected the 1994 NSCA's College Coach of the Year."
Tom and June served as volunteers in Atlanta for the 1996 Olympics. Tom was a supervisor of the training hall where Weightlifting Competitors trained before competition. He feels "it was the most beneficial experience of my coaching career."
Following the Olympic experience, Tom went to MidAmerica Nazarene University to develop a Strength and Conditioning program for the entire athletic program. Results have been exceptional. MNU's teams are winning and attracting more students and fans than ever before. Conference championships and play-off appearances have become expected. Coach Cross has said, "The Lord has truly blessed our efforts and it is my prayer He will allow me a few more precious years in this fantastic profession." He also proclaimed, "It is difficult to summarize 50 years of coaching highlights when each day is a highlight!"
