The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Editors note: Thom MacLean's last day as "Your local State Farm Agent" is tomorrow, June 29th after that he will be heading to Billings, Montana to 'See what happens'. Currently Thom has no immediate plans but thought it was time for a change and is excited to see what opportunities are out there.

Thom has been very active in the community and with the school and his departure will surely leave a void. In recognition of his commitment to the community we felt it appropriate to acknowledge all that he has done to make our community a little bit better.

Thom Maclean wore many hats over the years from and his departure from the community will be noticed. He has been the areas local State Farm Agent for nearly 19 years, served on many boards organized community activities, was an Assistant Boys Basketball Coach and had a little success as head coach of the Chinook High School Girls Tennis team the past 15 years.

MacLean graduated from Chinook High School in 1985 and the headed to the University of Montana where he earned a degrees in Finance as well as Economics and Political Science. From there MacLean spent six years in Billings, Montana. "Basically I got out of college and was looking for work, my mom said there was an opportunity with State Farm there. I was a claim representative for three years and then moved on to the Special Investigative Unit for three years where we handled more complex claims," said MacLean.

Eventually he and his family, which included two children Dylan and Jacob, decided the small town atmosphere of a community like Chinook was better suited to raise young kids. In 1998 Thom completed Agency training before he returning to Chinook where he would take over the State Farm Insurance Office, which had been ran by his Mother Mary since 1978.

Soon he was an active member of the community and was involved in many projects. For the next twenty years MacLean remained dedicated to the community. Now, however the time is right for him to, as he put it, 'See what's out there' but he certainly will hold on to many memories. "I'll miss the people most. There are so many grateful people in this town. I'm very grateful for how loyal they are and will miss the communication with them," said MacLean.

For 10 years Thom organized the Fun Run during the Annual Sugarbeet Festival. The Fun Run, which attracted runners and walkers from the young to the old, became a very successful way to begin Saturday during the festival.

His community involvement also included a term on the City Council as well as serving on the Blaine County Museum Board and Sweet Memorial Park Board

Thom has been an active supporter of the Chinook High School Sugarbeeters, sponsoring the Activity Books that fans look forward to each fall as well as serving as the Boys Basketball Assistant Coach for three years.

He will be missed most of all by a tennis program that he led to the top of the Class B/C ranks. Thom took over the Chinook High School Tennis program officially in 2003. His contribution to the team began in 2002 when he had became frustrated by learning of the girls having practices cancelled or not even scheduled and approached school Superintendent Jay Eslick about volunteering his time to give the girls the opportunity they deserved.

MacLean certainly made a positive impression on the team and the Administration and was hired as Head Coach the following season. In the 15 years since Maclean's teams have won four State Class B/C State Championships including three straight in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

His teams have placed in the top five of the State B/C Tennis meet held annually in Missoula each of the past 11 seasons. In addition to the four titles the Sugarbeeters finished second in 2012 and third in 2007, 2008 and 2009 before breaking through for their first state championship in 2010.

MacLean had a passion for playing the game and when he seen the need for help and felt he could contribute something to the team he jumped in, "I didn't know what to expect. I had know idea what high school tennis was all about, I just wanted to help," MacLean explained.

"I remember going to meets early on and listening to the girls comment on how good this player was or that player was from another team and focused on changing the way they thought to we can beat them," added MacLean.

The Sugarbeeters clearly bought into his system as he departs a program that has been on top for the majority of his tenure. "I wanted to develop a rapport with the girls and change their attitude start believing in themselves," said MacLean.

Like any program trying to turn a corner in the progression to the top of their field it takes a class or two and some of the kids to buy in and help with the change in mentality, "Things really started to take effect with Sarah Harshman and Kelsey Hanson. They both worked hard and it really helped bring kids around," MacLean stated. "They wanted to get better and have more success on the court. Sarah was a year older so to have Kelsey continue the transition after she left really helped move the program ahead. We were the little dog on the court and pretty soon we were the big dog," added MacLean.

A programs success for two or three years can sometimes be the result of a talented class with good numbers but to maintain a program at the top of their respected class for nearly a dozen years requires a steady system that encourages the way things are done to remain status quo and are passed down from class to class. MacLean did exactly this as Head Coach of the Sugarbeeters, his teams knew year in and year out what was expected of them and the amount of effort that was required to have success.

Each year was a joy for MacLean and he cherished the challenge each spring, "It seems like every year there is another great group of kids and developing a connection with them if the fun part of it. Obviously the state championships are great but the whole process of working with the kids is what makes it all worthwhile," explained MacLean. "We have all those trophies because they all bought into what we were doing and they worked hard to get better every day. They all knew it wasn't just going to be handed to them and that to get what they wanted they had to put out the effort."

Coach MacLean always had his teams best interest in hand as he addresses the school board in this instance.

During MacLean's time as head coach of the Chinook Sugarbeeter Tennis team he had many players earn All-State Honors by placing at the state meet including: Mariah Swank, State Champion Single (2014 & 2015); Lauren Harshman and Courtney Gunderson, State Champion Doubles (2015);Katie Diemert, 2nd Singles (2013); Kelsey Hanson, Singles 3rd (2008); Brooke Nicholson, 3rd Singles (2014, 2015, 2016); Taryn Norby and Katie Diemert 3rd (2012), 4th (2012); Hattie Niederegger and Sierra Swank, Doubles 2nd (2015); Megan Pruttis and Sierra Swank, Doubles 3rd (2016); Sarah Harshman and Darcie Mohar, Doubles (2007).

Maclean and his Sugarbeeter teams have won the past ??? Northern B/C Divisional championships and qualified a full team for the 20-- - 2015 State tournament. In 2015 the Sugarbeeters won the state title scoring a record 50? Points, winning by the largest amount ever.

As they say 'All good things must come to an end' and Thom's time here in Chinook certainly was a 'Good thing'