Building better athletes and people

I will miss the student athletes the most. I hope that over the years, I not only helped them become better athletes, but also better people.”

Coach Tom Andersen

TORRINGTON – After 17 years of service to Eastern Wyoming College (EWC), Tom Andersen announced his retirement, effective June 30. 

Andersen has served as a head coach for both the women’s and men’s basketball programs at EWC, and as the college’s athletic director from 2016-2023. 

EWC hired Andersen in 2007 to restart women’s basketball after the program was shelved for several years. Anderson grew the Lady Lancers into a successful program where his teams had an overall record of 168-98 from 2012-2021. 

Andersen took over the men’s program beginning with the 2021-22 season.

During his tenure, Andersen’s athletes earned numerous postseason honors, and continued their athletic and educational endeavors at colleges and universities throughout the United States and abroad.

Andersen began his teaching and coaching career at Litchville High School in North Dakota where he coached girls basketball, girls track and was the assistant coach for boys basketball. 

Andersen then entered graduate school at Bemidji State University where he was the assistant coach for the women’s basketball team. That year, the team qualified for the NAIA national tournament. He was also the assistant softball coach.

After completing a master’s degree in physical education with an emphasis in athletic coaching, Andersen took over a struggling program at North Crawford High School in Gays Mills, Wisconsin where he significantly increased the number of players in the program and began a solid development program for junior high and grade school students.

In 1988, Andersen was named the head women’s basketball and head women’s softball coach at Teikyo Westmar University in LeMars, Iowa. 

Andersen left as the all-time career leader in women’s basketball wins. He and his teams earned many honors during his tenure. 

Andersen moved on to Chadron State College in 1994, where he once again earned the honor of being the all-time winningest basketball coach in the history of the college. 

Andersen also led Chadron State to its only trip to a national playoff in women’s basketball.

Andersen took pride in building his teams with high character players who were good students and had good work ethic. 

“I will miss the student athletes the most,” Andersen said. “I hope that over the years, I not only helped them become better athletes, but also better people.” 

Andersen said he and his wife have no immediate plans to leave Torrington, and he is unsure what his next ventures may be. He will remain on campus until the end of his term to assist the athletic department.

EWC President Dr. Jeffry Hawes applauded Andersen for his service at the college. 

“On behalf of Eastern Wyoming College, I’d like to thank coach Andersen for his 17 years of service to the college,” Hawes said. “Tom has touched many lives over the years and we wish him the best in his retirement. 

Andersen was a two-sport athlete in college at Valley City State College in North Dakota. 

Andersen earned Region IX Coach of the Year honors during his time at EWC.