From the Bench: Future of Bridgeport High Athletics in the Hands of New Vice Principal/AD Tom Sears
By Jeff Toquinto on July 23, 2023 from Sports Blog
For those who know Tom Sears, they know his work history is rooted firmly in the southern part of Harrison County. Those same people also know that work history should bode quite well for him and Bridgeport High School athletics for the near future.
It was a little more than a month ago, on June 15 to be exact, Sears’ recommendation to be the new assistant principal and athletic director at Bridgeport High School starting back on July 1 for the 2023-24 school calendar year.
He brings experience on both fronts that should prove beneficial. He has been in the classroom, he has served as a coach, and he has experience as an athletic director. The hat trick of experience is likely what helped put him to the forefront of candidates applying for the
position.
position.
Although we’ll delve into background of the person who will be the face of BHS athletics for years to come, a good portion of this blog will be on the AD’s role and what to expect. Right or wrong, it is athletics that always draws more attention than anything from the public.
With that out of the way, a quick trip with Sears and his time in the educational field does not lead to a whole lot of rewinding. And it does not need to leave southern Harrison County.
Sears is a graduate of South Harrison. He got his diploma wearing orange and black back in 1997. From there, it was on to Fairmont State University and then to Western Governors University where degrees in education, a master's degree in education leadership and a master's degree followed.
The teaching career came a bit after his days as a student. In 2015, he began teaching at South Harrison Middle School. The last four years he was teaching at South Harrison High School where he taught social studies, psychology, sociology, and economics.
As for coaching, that goes quite a way back. Similar to his educational background, it began at South Harrison.
In 2001, Sears started as a volunteer coach at SHHS. He actually spent eight seasons as the assistant boys’ basketball coach to Robert Shields before taking over the program. Sears served in that capacity for 14 years and this past year had one of the best seasons in school history.
Sears’ time at South Harrison also featured time as the volleyball coach, which he did this past season as well. Along with the teaching and coaching duties, Sears oversaw the AD role that he began in March of 2020 after serving in the same capacity prior at South Harrison Middle School.
“For the last several years, I’ve been a full-time teacher and coached two varsity sports at the same time along with being an AD,” said Sears, who along with his wife Nacole, are parents to daughter Breanna, son Thomas, and daughter Faith. “Juggling multiple responsibilities is a role I understand.”
It is a critical role. Any administrator, regardless of if they are tasked with the AD position, will have a full plate of responsibilities. Even with all of that, Sears knows that his first administrative gig will have a learning curve.
“I’m excited to come to BHS to learn more about the administrative day-to-day duties that I will be dealing with,” he said. “What makes that existing is that there’s no better place than Bridgeport High School with it being a school of excellence and having so much recognition. I can’t wait to get going with everyone here and be part of this team.”
Sears has already been on the job for a few weeks. And he is taking advantage of a resource that he was assured would be available.
“Having an experienced hand available on the athletic director front is important and (former AD and new Johnson Elementary Vice 
Principal) Mark (Jones) said he would help any way he could and already has. (Former Principal and one-time AD) Matt (DeMotto) has also offered his help if needed, and (Principal) Miss (Renee) Mathews is sharp and on top of everything,” he said. “Having her to assist and having Mark readily available is big.
Principal) Mark (Jones) said he would help any way he could and already has. (Former Principal and one-time AD) Matt (DeMotto) has also offered his help if needed, and (Principal) Miss (Renee) Mathews is sharp and on top of everything,” he said. “Having her to assist and having Mark readily available is big.
“Although I am comfortable with work as the AD, having Mark available is a blessing. I was on the phone with him (Monday), and he helped me navigate through something I was working on,” Sears continued. “Mark wants to help me if needed because he’s vested in the history and tradition of this school. He’s part of it.”
There is a long line of successful athletic directors. And while Sears may seem like an outsider, understand that the previous three ADs were all outsiders.
DeMotto got started at Washington Irving. Jones came over from Robert C. Byrd where he coached baseball. Mark DeFazio cut his teeth in education and coaching at Lincoln High School. All of those former athletic directors more than once talked proudly of their past. Sears did not hesitate to do the same.
“You know it is bittersweet to leave South Harrison because of how much of my life is there. You can’t take the Hawk out of me,” he said with a laugh. “I graduated from there, coached and taught at my alma mater, which was a dream come true. That made it tough, but this is an opportunity too good to pass up.”
The opportunity came up when Jones moved a few hundred yards down Johnson Avenue. And it came at a time when Sears said it was time to look at being an administrator.
“It was always a goal to be an administrator in this county, and to be part of a culture where I can help make a difference,” said Sears. “This opportunity was one I had to pursue, and I am fortunate, humbled, and honored to be part of this community, the educators and staff here, and the coaches.”
So, what will Sears be changing as the new athletic director.”
“Bridgeport’s athletic program isn’t broken so I’m not going to fix it. The education process isn’t broken. I’m going to learn and grow and hopefully make the staff and students better. You don’t have to be here long to see why Bridgeport has risen as a top school in the state,” said Sears. “On both the athletic and academic front, you have community support that is hard to top. I came in knowing I would not be on an island doing this job.”
Sears said Mathews’ presence will be critical to get things moving in the right direction in his new position. He said he’s already learning from her and expects that to continue.
“She’s just tremendous,” said Sears. “She knows there is plenty of attention paid to athletics and extracurriculars, but she knows, we all know, the kids are students first and athletes second. Our job is to take care of the students, first, and the rest will take care of itself. I can’t wait for the year to begin.”
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Tom Sears in front of the BHS trophy case display inside the cafeteria, while he is shown with his wife and three children below.
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