By Tiffany L. Rehbein
Thomas Dumper, a head volleyball coach candidate at MSU-Northern, would give the team a stable environment in which to play and practice.
What I supply to most of my teams is a stable, safe environment, Dumper said in a recent interview.
Because he is single, Dumper said he would have a great deal of time to spend on projects in the community.
Essentially, I like to possess my school and my community, he said. We need to break down the walls. I would live here. I would shop at the same stores as the community and need to be social. I have a willingness to be involved in the community.
Dumper has always had the goal of becoming an instructor and coach at the college level, hence, his applying at Northern, he said. The position is both a teaching job in physical education and the head volleyball coach position.
He has spent the past 11 years coaching and teaching at various high schools in Texas. Before entering secondary education teaching, Dumper assisted at Texas A&M University, Northeast Louisiana University and Northern Arizona University.
He coached club teams in Texas and has received the secondary teacher of the year award in 1995 and the Westfield High School Teacher of the Year, also in 1995.
Although Dumper termed himself nomadic he said he changed jobs to advance his career. Acquiring the job at Northern would bring him to his ultimate goal of becoming a college coach and instructor.
In helping students achieve their educational goals Dumper said equal priority must be given to both.
Essentially, they have to make the decision to place equal priority with both of them, athletics and academics, Dumper said.
Dumper said he would refer students to the proper resources if they approached him with an academic problem that was out of his field of knowledge.
When recruiting athletes to play, Dumper said that he would first look in Montana.
Kids have a natural loyalty to Montana, he said. They understand situations and traditions here.
When approaching athletes from other areas, Dumper said he must sell Montana to them.
There is great individual attention given to students here, he said. There is small class size and a better opportunity for students to play earlier and more often.
When choosing an athlete Dumper said he would first look at filling a gap in the offense of defense.
The physical skills of an athlete are the most important, he said. He then cited academic commitment and good citizenship as two other traits to consider before making a final decision.
I dont want to hang carrots in front of them to get them to play. Were all here because we want this. It is our choice, Dumper said.
