Over 1900 people fill Cathedral Catholic’s campus on a daily basis, and each month one is selected for recognition as Don of the Month because of the exceptional nature of his or her qualities, strengths, and skills.  In October, Mr. Tom Rickling received the award, but its significance may prove deeper than teacher recognition as he was and is a Don: He is a former Uni student athlete, a coach in the fullest sense of the word, and a teacher.

“We were at the ambassador’s ceremony which is where it all really started I think” said Rickling “Mr. Deely thanked me for being the moderator and doing a lot to help out around campus, and that’s why I think I got the award.” He concluded after a couple minutes of modest pondering.

“He is definitely a role model and a really good leader,” said ambassador Alexis Jammo. “I think he really deserves the award because he does so much, not only for ambassadors but also in the classroom and as a coach.”

Mr. Rickling, as a teacher, has proven himself to be extremely multifaceted, serving as an educator and campklus-wide leader via his position as ambassador moderator.  He said that not only did the award mean a lot to him, but it also raised the spirits of his fellow teachers. He said, “It makes everyone recognize that there’s more they can do.”

Mr. Rickling is also the Don of the Month outside his classroom, or even the present for that matter. As a Uni graduate he sat in class with peers like Mr Stephen Anderson through classes like English 3 taught by Mrs. Margaret Mauro and Spanish 1 with Mrs. Donia Harrison.  He also took to the field in the red and gold as a football player and a jumper  (long and triple) for the track and field program.

Today he still is present down on the fields, only now he coaches from the sidelines.  As the softball, cross country and football coach, Mr. Rickling serves as an extremely versatile member of the CCHS community.

His alumni status wouldn’t mean much if his Uni days didn’t provide inspiration and foundation for his style in the classroom and out on the fields.  “I take the things that they did well and use them, and I also try to do the things I wish my teachers and coaches would have done for me.”

All in all, Mr. Rickling says his goal as an alumni member of the faculty is to “take the best and make it better.”