Thanks for the Memories

Doug Coleman and Tom Geilfuss ’70 have hung up their cleats for good, retiring after many years serving the USM Athletics department. Their work behind the scenes ensured that things ran smoothly for students, parents, coaches, and school administrators, and we will miss their commitment to USM athletics.

Tom Geilfuss ’70 | 28 years

After 28 years, Tom Geilfuss ’70 retired from his role as sports information coordinator and assistant coach for the girls’ hockey program in January. He started at USM in 1993 as a Middle School social studies teacher and remained in that role until 2008. After working as an assistant in the Middle School library for a year, he took on the newly created part-time position of sports information coordinator in 2009, crafting game recaps for all varsity sports for sharing on the school’s website, through email distribution groups to current families and the alumni community, and with the local media for wider coverage of USM’s athletic programs. Over the years, he also helped coach a number of other teams, including field hockey.

“For more than a decade, Tom provided an important service to our Wildcat fans in his sports information role, bringing a unique writing style to our sports coverage that will be hard to duplicate,” said Tim Williams, director of athletics. “I wish Tom the best in his retirement and thank him for his many contributions to our school.”

Doug Coleman | 24 years

No matter what the weather was like, Doug Coleman always wore a turtleneck. That’s because it’s a frosty 38 degrees in the Polly and Henry Uihlein Sr. Ice Arena, where he served as the rink supervisor for the past 21 years, out of his total 24 years at USM. Coleman has always loved hockey, growing up in Minnesota and playing the sport since he was a child. In addition to supervising the rink, he served as a varsity boys’ hockey co-coach with Cal Roadhouse for 15 years, as well as various other coaching roles and teaching roles throughout the years. Under Coleman’s and Roadhouse’s coaching, the boys’ hockey team earned two WIAA state championships and nine sectional titles. “In my short time working with him, Doug has proven himself to be one of the most personable, capable, and devoted independent school educators that I have had the pleasure to work with,” said Director of Athletics Tim Williams.

In his retirement, Coleman is looking forward to traveling, spending more time with his family, and reconnecting with friends. “I loved coaching in the athletic programs, especially the boys’ hockey program, and I will miss the great players and their families,” said Coleman. “I will also miss everyone I’ve worked with, especially in the Athletics department, the ice rink, and the grounds and maintenance crews.”