Training Tigers: Coach Spotlight — Tom Myran

Few coaches have shaped Germantown Friends School athletics as steadily and thoughtfully as Tom Myran (above). With decades of experience on the track, on the court, and alongside fellow educators, Coach Myran’s impact reaches far beyond results sheets.

In this Coach Spotlight, he reflects on his journey into pole vault coaching, the evolution of the GFS Track and Field program, and the values that continue to guide his work with student-athletes.

A Commitment to Learning and Growth

After decades of being fully invested in the Track and Field program at Germantown Friends, Coach Myran remains deeply committed to learning from others in the sport. This season, he has brought several GFS pole vaulters to clinics at the Valley Forge Pole Vault Club, giving them exposure to new ideas and techniques. 

“It’s always good to listen and learn from other coaches,” he shared.

That philosophy has guided him throughout his career. Two years ago, he and longtime colleague Rob Hewitt traveled to Nevada with a GFS pole vaulter to attend the National Pole Vault Conference, further underscoring his belief that great coaching is rooted in curiosity and collaboration.

Finding a Home in the Pole Vault

Coach Myran’s path to pole vault coaching was not a traditional one. When he became the head boys track and field coach in 1994, the program operated with just three coaches. While assistants focused on their specialties, he took on everything else—sprints, hurdles, jumps, and pole vault.

"I just learned how to coach pole vault by talking to other coaches, researching training and teaching techniques, and attending camps and workshops,” he explained. 

Though he dabbled in pole vaulting during his own high school career, it was never his strongest event. Instead, his growth as a vault coach came through years of study, observation, and experience; a reflection of the adaptability he continues to model for athletes today.

A Legacy of Leadership at GFS

Coach Myran served as head boys track and field coach from 1994 to 2013, a period marked by sustained success and strong community. In 2014, he and Rob Hewitt swapped roles, with Myran stepping into the assistant coach position.

Under his leadership, the boys program won 11 Friends Schools League (FSL) titles and captured the PAISAA State Championship in 2010. Early highlights included consecutive FSL championships in 1996, 1997, and 1998, years he remembers especially fondly.

His influence at GFS extended beyond the track. He also coached girls varsity basketball, leading the team to FSL championships in 1998 and 1999. 

One of his favorite reflections is seeing former athletes and students return to GFS as educators and coaches.

Among those he has coached are: the late Rebecca Bixby '99 (School Nurse), Jennifer Stetzer Goldberg ’95 (Lower School Literacy Specialist), Matt Greenawalt ’02 (Middle School Math teacher, Sixth Grade Dean), Brandon Jones ’00 (Lower School Admissions Director), Jared Lazorko ’16 (Varsity Wrestling Coach), Caleb Mactavish ’09 (Varsity Golf and Soccer Coach), Jalil Pines ’15 (Varsity Basketball Coach, DEI Administrative Coordinator), Jamil Pines ’15 (Varsity Basketball Coach, Admissions Application Coordinator), and Susan Robinson ’99 (Middle School Basketball Director/Coach, Middle School Science Teacher), with many more woven into the fabric of the school community.

How the Program and the League Have Evolved

Over the years, Coach Myran has seen notable changes in both the GFS program and the broader competitive landscape. Team size, he notes, has become one of the biggest challenges.

“Although we’ve been fairly consistent with numbers, sustaining them has become more difficult,” he said. 

The growth of other spring sports, including crew, golf, and boys lacrosse, along with the rise of outside club athletics, has increased competition for student-athletes’ time and energy.

There have also been clear improvements in facilities. When Coach Myran began coaching, many teams competed on cinder tracks. Today, all-weather tracks are the standard, offering safer and more consistent training and competition environments.

Expectations That Stand the Test of Time

Despite changes in facilities, sport offerings, and access to information, Coach Myran’s expectations for athletes have remained remarkably consistent.

“There’s a wealth of information available now, and there are clubs that specialize in training,” he said. “But as a high school coach, my expectations haven’t changed much from 20 years ago.”

At the core, he asks athletes to show up—consistently and intentionally. Practices are to be attended, effort should be directed toward improvement, and teammates should be supported. Accountability and responsibility matter, as does clear communication when conflicts arise.

Training More Than Athletes

Coach Myran’s legacy at Germantown Friends School is not defined solely by championships or records, but by the standards he sets and the relationships he builds. His approach reflects the best of GFS Athletics: thoughtful preparation, mutual respect, and a belief that sport is a powerful classroom.

As generations of Tigers continue to train, compete, and grow, Coach Myran remains a steady presence: listening, learning, and helping athletes vault not just higher bars, but toward stronger versions of themselves.