After Tragic Death, Tommy Schuman Voted Athlete of the Year

After senior Tommy Schuman died unexpectedly March 31, the community came together to mourn the loss of the baseball and golf captain.

His death, from an undetected cardiac condition, touched many people in New Lenox. It was clear he was a special person. 

Once again, the community rallied around Schuman, this time voting him as the 2011-12 New Lenox Patch Athlete of the Year. 

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Schuman was nominated by Central boys golf coach Don Hayes, who outlined the many accomplishments his captain had last fall.

"The outpouring of students and community and church members at Tom's funeral was a testament to the love of the Lincoln-Way communiy for a wonderful 18-year-old student," Hayes said. 

Those accomplishments included: 

• All-Conference for the second straight season.
• Second place in the SouthWest Suburban Conference tournament, shooting 3-over par 75. 
• Top-10 finish at the Providence Catholic Invite among 120 golfers. 
• Third-place finish out of 100 golfers at the Plainfield Central Invite. 
• 19 consecutive dual victories with a nine-hole average of 38.7. 

Off the course, Schuman was a four-year honor roll student, and in February was accepted to attend the University of Minnesota. He was active in Peace Community Church and was an adaptive PE leader, spending time with students with special needs. 

“Tom Schuman made an impact on everyone,” said his baseball coach, Sean Bieterman. “Not just this team, but the entire school. He was a special person. He was the type of man I’d like my son to grow up to be."

Schuman died during the baseball season, hitting the Knights particularly hard. They honored him during their first game after his death by wearing T-shirts that said "Together for Tommy"  with Schuman’s No. 19 on the back. 

On senior day, the team presented Schuman's parents with a framed No. 19 jersey.

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