Oswald’s impact beyond numbers
Steve Emtman was an All-American on a national championship football team at the University of Washington and the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft.
Rick DeMulling used to block for Indianapolis All-Pros Edgerrin James and Peyton Manning.
But like everyone else in the Cheney High School gym one night last month, they were “kiddo.”
“Kiddo” is how former Blackhawks football star and coach Tom Oswald greets many people and the gym was packed with kiddos Jan. 11 for a dedication ceremony to rename the CHS football field “Tom Oswald Football Field.”
“I had an opportunity to play for a lot of coaches and his determination and consistency is what you want in a good coach,” said Emtman, Cheney Class of ‘88. “You want a coach that works hard and puts the time in. It goes back to when you started. You learn those traits that carry you on. His role in my life was huge.”
An enjoyable part of honoring legends – and Oswald, who is battling cancer, is a legend around here – is discovering the stories that are building blocks of the person. Stories are much more revealing than numbers, which are impressive.
In 25 years he won 165 games, lost 75, tied seven and went to the playoffs 16 times, twice finishing second in state. All of that contributed to him being recognized by Inland Northwest Sportswriters and Broadcasters with a Certificate of Achievement at the Spokane Regional Sports Commission Youth Awards luncheon Wednesday afternoon. The award, however, was as much about Oswald the person as the Hall of Fame coach.
It wasn’t until last month a more impressive Oswald number became public.
“Only one of his players didn’t graduate,” Cheney science teacher/master of ceremonies Jeff Butler told the crowd. He also suggested that Sue Oswald should have the bleachers named after her since she just missed two games in her husband’s career.
“When I think about him it has nothing to do with football, it’s more life lessons,” said DeMulling, Class of ‘96 who plays for the Detroit Lions. “He was an extremely good (math) teacher, I can’t say enough about that. … What he’s going through now, he’s a real inspiration to everybody.”
A man’s character is revealed when the unknowns feel the same connection as the stars.
“When I was a freshman I was just awed by Tom – he was the starting quarterback,” said Tom Whitfield, Class of ‘68, one year behind Oswald. “I was walking down the hall one day and he walked up and said, ‘Hi, Tom.’ He knew my name. That’s the kind of guy he is. He even knew the freshman’s name. He’s been a friend ever since.”
Duane Crisp was a senior when Oswald returned to his alma mater as the football coach in 1978 and that one year was enough to affect a life.
“It’s hard to express what I feel for the man,” said Crisp. “He could get on you one minute and the next minute he’s patting your back and he’s your best friend. Even though I was with him one year, he never forgot me. It’s amazing to me – he’s good with everybody.”
It’s also a measure of the man when his mentors and peers are just as passionate in their praise.
Former Cheney athletic director Joe Richer, who also coached with Oswald said, “I hate to say it, he was a screamer and yeller. He could get away with it because the kids knew he liked them. When he walked the hallways, I used to watch him – he never talked about football. It was, ‘How’s your family? How’s your girlfriend? How are your grades?’ They knew he liked them.
“I’ve had great role models in my life … he’s the greatest role model I ever had. He taught me how to deal with kids.”
As usual, Oswald deflected the credit for his success to his assistants, and especially the Blackhawk players.
“You can win a lot more games as a bad coach if you have good kids than a good coach can win with bad kids,” he said.