The Wayland High School 2015 Athletic Booster of the Year Award will be presented to Valerie Andrews, widow of Tom Andrews, Friday evening between the varsity home basketball games against Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills.
Andrews, who had served as president of the Athletic Boosters until he resigned for health reasons, died of cancer last June 3.
Andrews was hailed by local school officials for making enormous contributions to his community and school district. He served in the Thornapple Township Emergency Services, Wayland EMS, and as a reserve officer in the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department. He also helped coach tee-ball, youth baseball, youth football, was an umpire for Dorr Recreation Department and was involved in Boy Scouts
When he was diagnosed with Stage 4 medullary thyroid cancer in 2007, statistics showed that two years was the average life expectancy. Andrews, as the cancer began to spread in 2010, was able to get into a clinical trial for a new drug being tested. Though he could no longer work, he decided to get involved in the Wayland Athletic Booster program.
Andrews started to attend Booster meetings and soon became a member. When he became vice president, he turned his attention to running concessions. He spent countless hours in the summer, cleaning and organizing the concession stands, upgrading equipment, ordering products to feed fans, and organizing volunteers.
He worked with Athletic Director Justin Wilson, New Life Church, whose members dedicated many hours in concessions, and Kris Shyne who made sure Tom never missed his son’s kickoff.
Tom tried to be at every concession event. At times, he would be there before noon and work until the start of the game, and then stay late to clean up and count money.
When he became president, he had big dreams of how the Boosters could grow in the years his daughter was in high school. He was responsible for many accomplishments, including the development of the Booster logo.
“Tom wanted to find a way to bring the community together, promote the Boosters program and have some fun along the way, and so the idea for the Booster Bash was born,” former Wayland Board of Education member Shelly Salisbury Whitley said. “When Tom saw how effective banners and end zone signs were at other schools, he proposed the idea to the Boosters and the AD office. Tom had many plans for the future, including new program books and advertisement opportunities.
“He worked side by side with AD Justin Wilson to bring those ideas to realization. Though Tom did not live to see some of his ideas come to pass, his hard work laid the foundation for the Boosters to see them to completion.”
When the time came to open concessions in spring 2015, Andrews became very ill and was hospitalized. He could no longer ignore the direction his health was taking and made the decision to step down as president and hand over concession responsibilities. A community celebration was organized for him.
“He loved Wayland and devoted so much of himself to it,” said Whitley, current Boosters presiden. “During his battle with cancer, Tom found purpose and gave us a vision to carry forward.
“It has not been easy following in the footsteps of such a great man and hard worker. I am honored to continue to move the Boosters forward and to bring many of Tom’s ideas and plans to life. We are having a fantastic year and that is thanks to Tom’s time and investment in our organization.” Wilson commented, “Tom Andrews was a remarkable man. I will forever remember his kindness and work ethic. His selflessness and dedication serve as a daily remainder of what is truly important.”
Originally from Grandville, Andrews studied criminal justice at Grand Rapids Community College and respiratory therapy at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He was 48 when he died June 3.
PHOTO: The late Tom Andrews (right) last spring was given a special award from Athletic Director Justin Wilson when he stepped down as Boosters president.