Remembering Coach Loomis: Former pupils fondly reflect on mentor, friend

The Whitehall area suffered a huge loss Saturday with the passing of longtime coach and educator James Loomis.

The first person elected to the Whitehall High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Loomis is remembered not only for his accolades as a coach, but for the tremendous impact he made on students and the local community.

During a hall of fame ceremony in February of 2016, Loomis was inducted by two of his former wrestlers Shane Shaw and Mike Hedegaard. Earlier this week, the two shared what Loomis meant to them as a person and coach, and also discussed the impact he made throughout the area.

"Coach Loomis was not only an outstanding coach, but a great role model, father-figure to many, and friend," Hedegaard said. "Coach focused on the wrestlers who were struggling, the ones who were just starting, or the ones who had difficulty in their lives. When he did that, he raised the skill level of the entire program. He made an impact on so many young men and women around the program."

Shaw remembers his freshman year and being recruited to the wrestling team by Loomis. Shaw said he loved basketball and had no interest in wrestling, but Coach Loomis convinced him that he could and would be successful.

"Somehow, I found myself joining the wrestling team. Coach Loomis arranged for me to attend a wrestling camp and continued to encourage me when I was not successful in the beginning. His efforts found success in many ways," Shaw said. "At the 1979 state wrestling tournament in Hamilton, they had the head coaches award the medals to the state champions. That year, Coach Jim Loomis handed a gold medal to me, a kid who lived out the vision laid before him by his wrestling coach."

Shaw looks back at Loomis recruiting other athletes, some with no experience at all, and also turning them into champions. Shaw said that while Loomis never wrestled a match in his life, he still built the school's most successful athletic program.

"He did this by demanding that his athletes work hard, holding them accountable and he understood what it took be successful as an athlete," Shaw said.

Hedegaard feels the influence of Loomis can be seen throughout the Whitehall area in the form of the young people he coached and taught.

"No less than seven of his former wrestlers went on to coach or officiate at the high school and collegiate level. For the school, Jim coached for 15 years, garnering 11 Divisional championships, a state runner up, and two state wrestling teams who placed third. He coached 16 state champions, four of whom were two-time state champions," he said. "More than that though, was Jim's influence on the young men well into their adult lives. He taught most of us how to grow up into leaders in the community, state and nation. His examples were instrumental in the development of all of his athletes."

On a personal level, Hedegaard said Loomis could make a person laugh like no other coach or teacher he has met.

"He constantly had me in stiches with his quick wit and hilarious stories. While I served in the military, I had the opportunity to come home to Whitehall on leave about every-other year. During those visits, I would ensure I visited Coach. Often times, Coach and I would meet at a golf course and play 18 holes. I can count the number of holes on one hand where Jim didn't have me laughing so hard I couldn't swing at the golf ball," he said. "I visited with him in Butte just last month, and for the nearly two hours I was in his room, I was either laughing or crying. He never lost his incredible sense of humor."

Whitehall High School wrestling coach and former state champion Steve Sacry said Loomis encouraged and uplifted everyone he met.

"His influence was felt in the classroom, athletic arenas, work, church and throughout the community. He was a big factor in the success of athletics in Whitehall in the 70-80's. He taught his wrestlers to not only be great wrestlers, but more importantly to be great men," Sacry said.

Shaw said that as a person, Loomis cared about his athletes and students in such a way that many valued their relationship for the rest of their lives and considered him an inspiration.

Loomis passed away at the age of 73 on the final day of the 2017 State Wrestling Tournament in Billings.

"When word of his passing reached us while we were down at the state tournament, I couldn't help but think about the many people in the Metra Arena that were better people because of his influence. He was a great man and will be missed," Sacry said.