Tom Losh has been a student athlete, coach in two sports, assistant dean of Student Affairs, parent of a student and a fan in the stands at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
“I’ve always enjoyed staying connected to my university,” he said. “I live out the theme ‘Moc for life.’ That fits who I am because I’ve been a Moc for all my adult life in some way.”
If you go* What: Reception open to all UTC alumni teaching in the Hamilton County public school system.* Host: UTC Alumni Board.* Where: UTC University Center.* When: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday (or immediately after conclusion of Hamilton County Schools’ kickoff in McKenzie Arena).* Admission: Free.About Tom Losh* Hometown: Mason, Ohio.* Basketball Moc: Played fd under Coach Leon Ford, 1967-1971.* UTC Degrees: Bachelor’s in secondary education, biology; master’s of education in secondary school leadership.* Career: Assistant Mocs basketball coach and UTC head baseball coach, Cleveland State Community College basketball coach then Student Affairs administrator, UTC assistant dean of Student Affairs, principal of Bradley Central High School five years.* Occupation: Retired; co-owner of Losh Holdings, a construction company, with son Nick.* Three Halls of Fame: UTC Sports Hall of Fame, Mason High School Hall of Fame and Chattanooga Area Sports Hall of Fame.* Family: He and wife Teresa have two children and two grandchildren.Did You Know?Tom Losh was head baseball coach at UTC for the 1975-76 season.”I used to drag the field with my car at Engel Stadium. I had to have a trailer hitch put on my Chevy Chevelle Supersport, but I had the sharpest field-maintenance vehicle ever: four-speed, mag wheels! That was the reality of a baseball program on a shoestring budget.”
Losh will promote that “Moc for life” motto this year as new president of the UTC Alumni Board.
Jayne Holder, director of UTC Alumni Affairs, said Losh’s multifaceted UTC experience adds a new perspective to the presidency.
“I think the unique thing Tom brings to this position is that he’s been a student athlete, assistant dean of students and a high school principal. With that background, he realizes the importance of a full college experience for retention purposes.”
Losh said his first goal is to make sure alumni know “the university is still interested in them” and raise awareness about privileges that come from alumni membership.
“A partnership has two hands, one extending in each direction, and I want to make sure they know our hand is extended,” he said.
The new president acknowledges he’s taking the reins at a time when student enrollment is increasing while funding decreases.
“The way we’ve done business at the university all these years is changing very rapidly,” Losh said.
“We have to look at new ways to keep the achievement of our university up. The university has great partnerships through the SIM Center; we’re actively involved with Unum and BlueCross and BlueShield of Tennessee.
“Partnerships with alumni are at the core of any university. We have a diverse Alumni Board, and we want to be active in connecting with our community.”
Holder said the Alumni Board will increase its high school visits this school year as well as continue Breakfasts with the Chancellor to meet with alumni at local businesses.
The high school visits will not just be about the UTC experience, Losh said, but to promote education for life. He cites his own life experience as proof.
“I was a farm boy in Ohio and a first-generation college student,” he said. “I came to UTC on a basketball scholarship. When I was 18, I couldn’t even dream of traveling to the places I’ve been or meeting the people and professors I’ve known.
“I’m really an example of taking somebody who’s rough around the edges and hadn’t had a lot of life experiences, putting them in a university and have it open doors for a lifetime.”