Andrew Tuck’s coaching goes far beyond the wrestling mats, and has led to a national award.
Tuck, coach of the Dover Bay wrestling team and the Nanaimo Wrestling Club, received the Loran Teachers Building Leaders Award in a special ceremony last week.
“It was a wonderful surprise…” said Tuck in a wrestling club press release. “There are many, many teachers and coaches who do wonderful things with and for our children … Our goal as coaches is not only to spur our kids on to be good athletes, it is for them to become resilient, strong and generous people.”
The Loran award recognizes elementary and secondary school teachers “who go above and beyond to develop character, service and leadership in their students.” The award came with a personal congratulatory letter from Gov. Gen. David Johnston.
Dover Bay alumnus and former wrestling standout Nathan Valsangkar, a Loran scholarship winner, nominated Tuck for the Teachers Building Leaders Award.
“From the moment I walked into my first practice, Andrew taught me the value of hard work, mental resilience, self-esteem and sportsmanship,” Valsangkar said. “These helped me progress to high levels in wrestling; however, they had an even greater impact on my academic and personal life.”
After graduating from Dover, Valsangkar attained a degree in environmental engineering at the University of Guelph and works there in that field. He was flown to Nanaimo to be able to personally present the award to Tuck in a surprise ceremony Monday at Rock City Elementary School.
Tuck revived high school and club wrestling in the city more than a decade ago after the sport had fallen off the map in Nanaimo. To learn more about the Nanaimo Wrestling Club, please e-mail Darren Colyn at nanaimowrestling@gmail.com.