| VICTORY BELL |
IN IT
WIN IT
The loyalty to an institution developed when competing in college-level athletics is a tether that many individuals have experienced. The bond strengthened throughout years of play creates devoted alumni when their academic journey is complete. This past fall, two alumni coaches elevated Wildcat athletic teams to greater heights. Culver-Stockton College Women’s Soccer Head Coach Tyler Tomlinson ’03, and Head Football Coach Tom Sallay ’01, have been back on “the Hill” for a few seasons, but this fall was record-setting for both teams. The history-making seasons these two coaches and their teams created were something these alumni have been striving for since accepting the roles as Wildcat Athletic Coaches. When Tom Sallay and Tyler Tomlinson returned to “the Hill” as Culver-Stockton College coaches, the two alumni aimed to elevate their programs. Every season since they took the reins, their programs have been building to success. The 2021 season was when the visions of those coaches began to come into focus, and both programs reached record win totals. For Wildcat football and women’s soccer, this was the winning year that these alumni men dreamed of delivering back to their beloved alma mater. For Tomlinson, his return to C-SC started in 2011 where he held the role of sports anchor at WGEM TV in Quincy, Ill. When he learned of the leadership vacancy in the women’s soccer program, Tomlinson recognized it was time to return to “the Hill” and coach the sport which had provided him opportunities to prepare for some of life’s most significant challenges. As the newly hired women’s soccer coach, his vision was simple: create a positive environment for his players to cultivate a passion for the game and increase the wins record for the Wildcats. Tomlinson intended to turn the Wildcat Women’s Soccer program around by building 14 | Chronicle
confidence from within. Now, ten years after assuming the role of Head Coach, Tomlinson continues to instill new core values into the program, which elevate his players to reach new heights both on and off the field. At the start of each season, Tomlinson works with the new group of seniors to identify a core value or phrase which will create chemistry among the team and build a united culture that inspires them to push harder day after day. After a chaotic COVID season, Tomlinson and the team’s seniors knew how important this year’s phrase would be to build synergy after a season apart. Heading into the season, Tomlinson mentioned how meaningful it was that everyone on the squad believed in one another.
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“They knew they had what it took to be great, make the playoffs, and even more,” Tomlinson commented.
