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Tom
McGough (‘69) was a standout, multi-sport athlete for the Stanley
County Buffalos, lettering in three sports for three years. In
addition to his athletic prowess, Tom was active in band, chorus,
and drama and was also a great student and leader. It was on the hardwood, though, where Tom became a central South Dakota legend. He scored 1,295 points and collected 965 rebounds during his career as a Buffalo. Five times he was honored as an Argus Leader Ace of the Week. In 1969, he was honored as a basketball All State selection. His single season rebound totals (369 in 1968 and 378 in 1969) and scoring total rank him at the top of the all-time lists in school history. After high school, Tom took his basketball skills to North Dakota State University’s Ellendale campus and racked up 678 points and 426 rebounds in two years there. He was named to the North Dakota/Montana Junior College All Tournament Team and also earned one track letter at Ellendale. Tom went on to play for legendary coach Bob Wachs at Northern State University from 1972-74. Tom’s love for athletics led him to a remarkable 41-year career as a high school coach, where he earned his reputation as one of the state’s best ever. He has been the head track coach for 32 years and the head cross country coach for 30 years at Miller High School. Tom is a state champion coach, leading the 1989 Miller Rustlers to the title. He also spent a decade as head boys basketball coach and has assisted in football, girls basketball, and volleyball at MHS. In basketball, Tom’s teams won two conference championships and two district titles. Tom’s boys track teams have earned nine top-8 finishes and his girls teams have earned four top-8 finishes at state meets. They have also won 40 region championships and 42 conference championships. His cross country boys teams have finished in the top 8 on nine occasions and his girls teams have finished twice in the top 8. His distance teams have won two region championships and 16 conference championships. Five times Tom has been a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year. Seventeen times he has been named an area Coach of the Year by the South Dakota High School Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association. In 2002, Tom was the South Dakota High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year in both cross country and track and field. He is again a finalist this year for the 2016 National Boys Track and Field Coach of the Year. Two generations of South Dakota basketball fans also recognize Tom as one of the best officials to don the stripes. He has officiated for 33 years of high school and 10 years of college basketball. Tom has worked 22 state basketball tournaments and has officiated six state title games. He was the 2007 South Dakota Girls Basketball Official of the Year and has been active in South Dakota High School Activities Association advisory boards. |