In a career that started out as a member of the Syracuse University boxing team in the mid-1950s, Tom Coulter turned this passion for boxing into his life’s work. Coulter, who also was a standout cross-country runner, formed the Syracuse Friends of Amateur Boxing in 1965 and continued to influence local, national and international boxing throughout his career.

 

In the 1980s, Coulter built an impressive resume in the boxing world. He instructed the U.S. Army Boxing Teams, coached the 1986 Olympic Festival Trials in Lake Placid and eventually became the East coach at the festival in Houston, Texas.

 

Months prior to the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Coulter was named the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team head coach. His fighters captured eight medals including gold for heavyweight Ray Mercer and light heavyweight Andrew Maynard.

 

Coulter also was involved in the careers of many well-known boxers such as George Foreman, Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe and Roy Jones Jr.

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

 

1954: Won 10 varsity letters in track, cross-country and boxing at SU, which was a school record

 

1965-1987: Organized and directed the Syracuse Friends of Amateur Boxing Inc

 

1983-1986: Instructed U.S. Army Boxing Teams at Nuremberg, Germany; Fort Ord, California; Bamberg, Germany; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Meade, Maryland; Fort Carson, Colorado; and Cedar Rapids, Iowa

 

1981-1984: Held administrative posts with National Sportsfest in Syracuse

 

1984: Chief of delegation officer for the USA vs. East Germany boxing match, USSR and the Scandinavian Tour

 

1986: Coached Olympic Festival Trials, Lake Placid, East Coach for the Olympic Festival in Houston; Coached the USA Golden Gloves Boxing Team in the Felix Stamm Tournament, Warsaw and Yugoslavia.

 

1987: U.S. Pan-American Games Boxing Coach

 

1987: Coach for the USA vs. Soviet Union match in Jackson, Florida; Won Letterman of Distinction award at Syracuse University

 

1988: Named U.S. Olympic Boxing Team Coach

 

1993: Named National Technical Advisor for USA Boxing Inc.

 

1997: Received the Blind Men and Criers annual “Lew Andreas Award” for service to the community

 

Member of the eight-man steering committee of the Native American Boxing Development Program