In Motz We Trust
Spartan legend, Coach Herman Motz helps team celebrate their State Championship in 1989.
Dr. “Coach” Herman Motz is a legend at Thomas Jefferson High School; many say he is the very definition of what it means to be a Spartan.
As humble as Motz is, he now will join the ranks of Curly Lambeau, Paul Brown, and Hubert Humphrey by getting a football field named after him. Motz said about the ceremony, “It’s going to be fun. 50 years sure went by fast didn’t it?” Illustrating the versatility of this man, Motz coached the Colorado Football State Championship Team in both 1980 and 1989, and he was also a scholar. Matthew Spampinato, current Thomas Jefferson teacher and former student teacher of Motz, said of his time with the Coach, “I believe that whoever coined the phrase ‘A gentleman and a scholar’ had someone like Herman Motz in mind.”
Coach Motz was an English teacher and a Latin teacher at Thomas Jefferson. He did this for over 20 years; a combination that just isn’t found in today’s schools. “ He was the perfect model of a Renaissance man. A PhD in English, a state champion football coach, and on top of that he is a gentleman. He was the perfect role model for me to become a teacher,” said Spampinato.
According to a former student and a state champion football player, TJ Teacher Grant Laman, Motz was a skilled teacher as well as outstanding coach. Laman also only had great things to say about Motz. “He was a teacher and football coach at Thomas Jefferson when I attended (1989-1991). He was an excellent teacher because he gave you respect. You then gave him respect in return.”
Laman, who is also the head boys basketball coach at TJ, says his life has been impacted and molded by Motz. “The pregame speeches. You didn’t forget them the entire game, and you stayed fired up for the entire game.” Laman was also reminiscent of what happened between the team and Motz after the 1989 state championship game when TJ beat Montbello. “He was just so proud of us. He just put pride in our chests and happiness in our hearts.”
After leaving this amazing legacy, the TJ Alumni Association decided to honor Motz by renaming the school’s football field from “Spartan Field” to “Herman Motz Athletic Facility.” Kendra Black, TJ alum and TJ parent, decided to put a petition together to get the field dedicated to Motz. Black voiced her support, saying, “it was a true pleasure to reach out into the community to gather support for the dedication.” It was clear that everyone was on board with the petition when Black added, “More than 1000 supporters signed the petition to dedicate the TJ Spartan Athletic Field to Dr. Motz, and we received 150 letters of support from community leaders, alumni, faculty and more.” It ultimately became a successful motion and the ceremony is to take place on October 15th at 11:00, at Thomas Jefferson High School.
A great honor for a great man, scholar, and coach, Dr. Herman Motz is going to be eternally glorified at the high school where students grew and learned through his presence. He shows how to balance a student-athlete’s life, be an intellectual in the school, and a champion on the field. One of Motz’s players and TJ alumnus Eric Black, class of 1982, wrote in a recommendation letter, “With his trademark large mustache, expansive personality and clever sense of humor, Dr. Motz is a wonderful man worthy the recognition of a lifetime of work.”
Motz was born and raised just outside of Cincinnati. He went to Xavier for college and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Motz came to Denver when the service relocated him here. Motz then attended the University of Denver for his teaching license and he got a masters and a doctorate while at DU. Motz then began teaching, and ended up at TJ.
Motz loved coaching at TJ. He said, “It was great. I had to start somewhere and it was with the little league guys. Then Coach Calder promoted me to the freshmen. I did that for a year.” In the years of coaching little league and the freshmen he won a total of 49 games. Motz was quickly promoted to JV for many seasons. Then, Coach Calder retired, and Motz was given the head job. Motz never turned back, with a grand total of 135 wins after 166 games with the varsity program, a win percentage of .813. After his illustrious career, Motz ended with 226 wins and a career win percentage of .819.
Thomas Jefferson High School will perform the dedication on October 15th at 11. The master of ceremonies will be TJ Alumnus Chris Vanderveen from 9 News. All students and families are welcome to join the ceremony. The festivities aren’t just for Dr. Motz, it’s for the entire history of TJ sports. There will also be an opening of the TJ Hall of Fame, and the first class will be inducted on October 15th. Which is the day of the homecoming football game for the Spartans, when they take on the rivaled George Washington Patriots.
HERMAN A. MOTZ
FOOTBALL COACHING RECORD (25 Years)
Won Lost Tied Total Games
1965-1969 Junior Parochial League 43 9 1 53
1970 T.J. Freshman Buffs 6 2 0 8
1971-1975 T.J. Jr. Varsity 40 5 1 46
1976-1989 T.J. Varsity Head Coach 135 30 1 166
1981 & 1990 All-State Head Coach 2 0 0 2
1965-1990 All Teams 226 46 3 275
