My Idol Tom Goodman

Posted by Jim Pell

This guy was something else and I would like to tell about his importance to me.  Reading through the Coach Carlisle memories that Dan assembled, there were several mentions of Jimmie Goodman’s last minute winning lay-up that Pat said may have marked the beginning of the amazing Carlisle run of success.  That reminded me how both Jimmie and his little brother, Tom, were the embodiment of the word “hustle.”  Tom was two years ahead of me and he was such a hard worker and maybe an over-achiever to boot. 

But, it was his football playing that I so admired, especially his work at middle guard on defense.  I know he wasn’t a big guy and I don’t know how strong he was.  But, I do clearly remember the way he could shed blockers and move laterally along the line of scrimmage to meet the ball carrier at the line and make the tackle.  He did this time after time during a game.  I used to want to be like James Davis and Robert Brown in basketball, but man, if I could have played football like Tom Goodman, that would have been good enough for me.  Of course, what he made look so easy wasn’t easy at all.  I don’t know how he did what he did, but in my memory, he was virtually unblockable.  And, of course, just like on the football field, when he stepped foot on the basketball court, he played every play as if it were his last. 

Tom was really a good guy for us younger guys to look up to.

Comments

[Pat Jensen]

My thanks to Jim Pell for submitting this post about Tom Goodman.

As one of my all time closest friends from grade school, junior high, high school, frat brothers in college and well beyond, I can attest to Jim's accuracy in describing Tom's competitive spirit. Tom and I had some classic, one-on-one battles in everything from ping pong in his garage, backyard basketball, football, even croquet, to badminton in an empty gym at Sam Houston. One was advised to be prepared for a battle whenever or wherever or whatever. If Jim thinks Tom could shed blockers to make a tackle (and he could), imagine trying to take a football and run over or around him in a small, pre-defined space in the backyard - without pads. I don't remember ever getting by him, but I sure remember the beating I took while trying. I have said before, and I'll say again, there were few, if any, tougher 160 lb. (if that much) middle guards of that era.

Tom deserves this space. I hope others will contribute to it.

[Dan Jensen]

What a sad day it was when I heard of Tom's death in an accident far away from home.

Because of Pat's association with Tom, I knew him better than I did his brother Jimmie, who was just a year behind me in school.

Tom was more than a good person and a good football player. He was a starter in three sports and, while not uncommon then, it does not happen today.

I remember Dub Kelly bringing his baseball team to Huntsville for a tournament when I was a senior at Sam Houston State.

Kelly was a better baseball coach than most high schools had in those days and we had a good team. Bryan was also good and we met them in the semifinals. We won and a key play was a throw to the plate to Tom. It was off line but Tom grabbed it and threw his body into the path of the runner for the third out of the inning and we won a key game.

Tom was the catcher and Chuck Trcka and Gary Brizendine alternated between the mound and first base. Bobo Frederick was the second baseman, Stanley Magee the shortstop with Robert Brown at third. The outfield was William Frost, James Davis and Buddy Witte.

Buddy hit a three run homer to help us beat a good West Columbia team in bi-district but we lost to a San Antonio team in the regionals.

[Garvis Hadley]

"The good oft times die young." And, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog." These old axioms was certainly true of Tom.

Like a lot of us in the old days, Tom didn't have a lot of natural athletic ability and had to work very hard to establish himself and to carry his share of the load. With a heart the size of his, he achieved that.

As has been said in previous comments about Tom, he weighed 160 pounds, at best. Looking back on those days and how he played, not only football, but basketball and baseball as well, he HAD to have weighed more.... heck, his heart weighed that much.

[Hugh Taylor]

Next to Toms house was a vacant lot, baseball field, "Field of Dreams", that I got to play on just one time since I was a country boy. The field got a lot of use. The story was not to hit the ball behind the next house because there was an old angry man there & he would keep the ball. I now know who that old man was, does anyone else? The five senior classmen on the 57 team were special. Was this the only "all senior" team at Creek?

[Dan Jensen]

I'm sure this was the only all senior team under Coach Carlisle. There may have been some in later years but I don't know. Issues like this indicates a need for younger posters to be in here. Hopefully that will happen some day.

[Alex Kalinowski]

Tom and I attended school from the first grade tru High School and even done some time at Alvin Jr. College. We were both better at Moon and 42 than attending classes. We were the domino champs, so if we had a winning streak going , the classes would have to wait. We wre friends for many yrs. was even honered to be best man at his wedding to Punkin. During mine and my wifes trip after retirement, we were in Ohio and managed to find Punkin in Chegrin Falls. We were able to get togeathere for a visit. Tom was well thought of in his comunity. He did a lot of work with kids sports. Also visited his grave site. I have many memories of our school days and our friendship, all good! I dont know if Punkin knows about this site but will e-mail her and tell her.