Tucson's Sanders continues exemplary volunteer, fundraising work
Tom Sanders is one of the most significant figures in the history of UA sports. He was the school’s first fundraiser of the modern athletic era, raising money to build Hillenbrand Stadium and Hillenbrand Aquatic Center, among many other UA projects.
He was the force behind the Jim Click Hall of Champions, and the man who gathered almost all of the memorabilia from UA athletes of 1900-1975, putting them on public display. He was the connection to past UA athletes that had gone dark for decades.
As meaningful as Sanders’ time in the UA athletic department was, his work as a Tucson/UA swimming official is likewise exemplary.
A week ago, for example, he officiated the 800-entrant Southwest Swim Classic, morning and evening, over four days. Before that, he worked an SAAA summer youth meet, with seven heats in each event, all day. He similarly works all UA swim meets and many AIA high school meets.
His pay? Maybe a Subway sandwich and a bottle of Gatorade. Some years, a T-shirt is part of the booty.
Sanders is believed to be the longest-tenured certified swimming official in Arizona. He began in 1977, and became nationally certified in 1983. He estimates his total pay at $50.
Sanders, a UA grad, continues to work in the Tucson fundraising community, recovering from serious back surgery and again gutting it out to swim mile after mile to stay in shape.
“I’m good at my starting job — as good as or better than I’ve ever been — so therefore, and because I really love the sport, I have no plans to hang up my whistle,” he said.
He is one man making the Tucson sports community better.
