Feature Friday: head swimming and diving coach Tom Caccia

Indianola, Iowa -- Get to know Simpson head swimming and diving coach, Tom Caccia, in our latest edition of Feature Friday. Caccia enters his eighth season leading the Storm in 2020-21.

In what city/state did you grow up in?

• I grew up in Rockford, Illinois.

What college(s) did you attend?

• My first year was spent at Northern Illinois University, but I transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to major in education and also earned my master's degree there. I have extended class work from the University of Wisconsin, UW-Extension and Cardinal Stritch University.

​Favorite professional sports team(s)?

• Chicago Bears and the Cubs, if they are winning.

Favorite athlete?

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Johnny Wiessmuller.

Items you can't live without?

• My shop!

Favorite vacation spot?

• We do not vacation much, but if and when we do, Door County, Wisconsin would be it.

Favorite spot on campus?

• Looking through my office window that overlooks the track and football field.

Favorite thing about Simpson?

• Far and away the best thing about Simpson is the athletic staff that I have the honor and privilege of working with. They are all outstanding people.

Family?

• I have been married to Theresa for 43 years and she is a retired teacher. We have one daughter, Ashley, who is a nurse practitioner and a former athlete of mine. She is married to our son-in-law Paul, who is a social studies teacher and wrestling coach. We also have the "pride and joy of the family," our twin grandchildren, Sean and Jillian, who are 4-years-old.

What would you be doing if you were not coaching?

• Building furniture in my shop.

Best athletic moment?

• Coaching my daughter in our state championship finals and watching her win our conference championships in a few events.

Who would play you in a movie?

• Probably Tom Selleck or Kevin Costner.

One thing people don't know about you?

• I have a die cast vehicle (Hot Wheels and Matchbox) collection of more than 3,000 items that dates back over 50 years.

Hobbies outside of coaching?

• Woodworking.

Role model(s) and why?

• My father. He taught me to value the opportunity to work and contribute. To be accepting of everyone and to be proud of who you are and where you came from. Finally, to never accept anything less than the best you can do.