The Petition the all members of the TJ community can sign to dedicate our field to much-loved Educator, Coach, and true Spartan Herman Motz.
Spartan legend, Coach Herman Motz helps team celebrate their State Championship in 1989.
The Thomas Jefferson High School community, led by alumna Kendra Black, has organized a petition that all members of the community are encouraged to sign, in an effort to dedicate the Spartan Athletic Field to beloved and retired Teacher and Football Coach, Dr. Herman Motz. Supporters have requested that all members of the Thomas Jefferson community sign the petition by the deadline, May 6, 2011.
Growing up in Ohio, Motz did not attend high school at TJ. Even so, he is a lifelong Spartan at heart. He began teaching and coaching at TJ in 1967. Over the course of his time spent at TJ, Motz taught Latin and English for 25 years and coached football and track for 19. Those who encountered Motz in the classroom or on the field say he was passionate about what he did and was dedicated to the students he taught. “Dr. Motz was my sons’ football coach during the two TJ Colorado State Football Championship seasons (1980 and 1989). I cannot think of an educator more worthy of this honor than Dr. Motz. He exemplifies what a true teacher is and should be. Dr. Motz was an outstanding and successful coach, and he was an ardent advocate for scholar-athletes,” says Dorothy Gotlieb a former DPS Board President and Inducted Member of the DPS Athletic Hall of Fame as well as a parent of a TJ alum.
TJ Football saw many of its sweetest victories under Motz as head coach. He lead TJ to 12 state playoff appearances, nine DPL titles, six final four appearances, and two state championships in 1980 and 1989, defeating Cherry Creek and Montebello High Schools in the final games, respectively. He proved to be a highly successful coach, earning one of the best coaching records of all time within Denver Public Schools with a career record of 226 wins out of 275 games. He is the last coach to win a state football championship for a DPS school.
Motz was recognized by the Colorado High School Activity Association (CHSAA) for his accomplishments in coaching and was formally inducted into the CHSAA Hall of Fame in 2006. Dr. Motz has received numerous awards honoring his long career as a coach including several Football Coach of the Year awards from CHSAA, The Denver Post, the Denver Coaches Association, Dave Cook/Gart Bros, and from Toyota. He has also been inducted into the DPS Coaches’ Hall of Fame and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association.
Behind one of the best coaching records in TJ history is a kind man dedicated to encouraging and supporting his students. He was more than an instructor to the kids in his classes and on his teams; he was a mentor and role model. “Dr. Motz and his family so richly deserve this prestigious honor,” said Former TJ Spartan, Gene Colleen.
“Dr. Motz has devoted his life to Denver Public Schools as a teacher, leader and coach. He was a mentor and friend to the students he felt privileged to teach through the years,” added Former TJ Spartan, Gary Meier.
Motz impacted and influenced those he came in contact with in the TJ community, whether it was other educators, coaches, students, or parents. Those around Motz connected with his compassionate personality and through his kindness toward others. “Motz not only taught and coached the boys, he was a friend and mentor, and because of this, the boys stood taller and did better, on the field, in the classroom, and in their future lives. Personally and professionally, Dr. Motz treated everyone with respect, which led to the great respect and affection shown to him by his students, their parents, his colleagues in education and the community,” said Gotlieb.
Motz’s mentorship to other teachers is still present in many forms today at TJ. Veteran Spartan Teacher Matt Spampinato – who has taught at TJ for 21 years and counting – completed his student teaching under the tutelage of Dr. Motz in 1990. Said Spampinato: “Herman Motz is my mentor, it’s that simple. Working with him as a student teacher, and then as a colleague, I was inspired by his work ethic, superior subject matter knowledge, strength of character, and sense of humor. He taught me how to earn the respect of students by being a firm but kind leader in the classroom. He’s a true renaissance man!” Spampinato says he was thrilled when he heard of this project. “I can think of no one more worthy than Dr. Motz,” he said.
Motz’s players and students say they had the utmost respect for Motz as a teacher, a coach, and as a person. “As a true renaissance man, with a personality and character that is larger than life, Dr. Motz has enthusiastically inspired a generation of students and athletes to strive beyond their own current expectations and achieve larger and greater goals, not only for themselves, but for their teammates, families and school,” said Eric Black a TJ alumnus and Quarterback of the 1980 State Championship team as well as father of current TJ student.
Those who know Motz on a personal level and feel that he deserves this great honor have spoken out on his behalf in the form of the petition and support letters. “Undeniably, his accomplishments as a teacher and a coach are unprecedented. But even more outstanding is the number of young lives he has touched, in one way or another, that has resulted in incredibly successful men and women in our society today,” said former student of Motz and Alumnus Michael Thorell.
An educator, a coach, a leader and mentor, and a friend, Motz remains a highly respected and beloved member of TJ. The turf field would honor Motz’s teaching and coaching careers as well as the legacy he left on the students he taught and the entire Thomas Jefferson community. “Dr. Motz represents all that is good about Public Education and Thomas Jefferson High School … He is a symbol of a quality teacher and coach who succeeded at the highest level at imparting his grace, integrity, motivation and the will to learn the true lessons of life on and off the field. He inspired, respected and loved his players, which was returned to him tenfold,” said TJ Athletic Director Lani Nobles.
To support this project, visit the website http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/motz-tjspartanfield/ and sign the online petition before May 6, 2011.
To contribute your own letter of support email kendrablack@pioneergrp.com or mail your letter to Kendra Black, TJ Spartan Alumni Association, 3500 E. Floyd Dr., Denver, CO 80210.
Dr. Motz will be honored at the October 15, 2011 TJ Homecoming game. Be sure to save the date, and plan to attend so that you can be part of Spartan history.
