Athletics at HW Schools

Athletic Director: Thomas Wilcher

Thomas Wilcher was destined to move into the college football ranks. A former Michigan State University, Director of Michigan High School Relations, quickly made an impact by landing top recruits Jaden Mangham, Antonio Gates and followed by two 3 stars Jalen Thompson. Wilcher’s background hosts an interesting blend of top-level high school athletic coaching management and collegiate competences. A former Cass Technical High School Teacher for 31 years, football coach 31, track coach 32 years and an Athletic Director for 8 years. A High School Football Hall Fame and Track Coach had a 31-year career which leaves a legacy of demonstrated expertise in effective leadership within the top high school athletic division.

Wilcher's accomplished high school athletic career includes:  ten-time Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) track and field champion, two-time Michigan High School Track Athlete of the Year award winner, MHSAA record-setting hurdler and four-time All-American, two time Junior Olympics champion in the 110 meter hurdles and current record holder, All-State and All-American tailback in football and All-City swimmer.  

Wilcher’s college career was just as impressive:  he was a running back for the Michigan Wolverines football team from 1982 -1986 and appeared in two Rose Bowls ’83 and ‘87.  In his senior year, Wilcher was a member of the Big Ten Conference football champion team as well as the All-Big Ten Football Honorable Mention Team (Running Back).  In addition, Wilcher was a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I track & field national champion in the indoor 55-meter hurdles, three-time NCAA All-American in track & field and 110-meter-high hurdles Big Ten individual champion for the University of Michigan.  Wilcher is a member of the University of Michigan Men’s Track & Field Hall of Fame.

To add to Wilcher’s high school and college resume, his professional career included stints with the National Football League, San Diego Chargers 1987 and USA Track & Field National Teams 1985, 1986 and 1988.

During Wilcher’s 31 years of tenure at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan he had been a teacher, 30 years as the head coach for the boy's track & field team and 23 years as the head coach for the football team.  As track coach, he is a three-time MHSAA Division I State track and field champion and two-time MHSAA Division I State track and field runner up.  Awards include Track Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association Coach of the Year ’94 and ‘95.  In his role as a football coach, he has many notable accomplishments – Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall’18, Detroit High School Hall of Fame member ’13, Cass Tech Sports Hall of Fame ’18, 19 League Division Championships, 8 Detroit Public School Championships, 11 District Championships, 8 Regional Championships, 3 Division 1 State Championships, Coach of the Year (MLive) ’20, Coach of the Year (Detroit Lions) ’12, two time Coach of the Year (Michigan Chronicle) ’16 and ’17, three time Coach of the Year (Detroit Free Press & News) ’10, ’11 and ’12.  MHSCA Coach of the Year ’17, six-time MHSFCA Regional Coach of the Year ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15 and ‘16, and two time MHSFCA Division 1 Coach of the Year ’11 and ’12.  

Wilcher has developed former and current NFL players.  Cass Technical High School ranks second in the country for the most former players (6) currently in the National Football League (Detroit Pro Sports Nation) ’20.

In each coaching role, Wilcher has demonstrated excellent strategic athletic acumen that has resulted in exceptional team performance thus gaining him well deserved respect of his coaching peers while building himself a strong footprint in this region.

"Coaching has given me experience in relating to and mentoring young men and women.  It allows me to build faith in myself, enabling me to inspire young men and women to succeed. Coaching also provides me with an opportunity to motivate young men and women so they can be productive contributors to society." - Coach Thomas Wilcher

Wilcher received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Science, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) and Master of Education degree in Administration, Wayne State University (Detroit, MI)