TU Athletics Mourns Passing of Longtime Volleyball Coach and Mathematics Professor Dr. Tom Cairns

TULSA, Okla. –– The man who started the women's intercollegiate volleyball program at The University of Tulsa, Dr. Tom Cairns, died on Sunday at the age of 86. Although retiring from his coaching post following the 1992 season, Cairns remained close to the program and those student-athletes he had mentored.

Cairns came to TU in 1959 after earning his B.S. in physics, M.S. and Doctorate in Mathematics from Oklahoma State University and a two-year stint as 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army principally attached to the National Security Agency (NSA).

An avid volleyball player and enthusiast, Cairns began the TU women's volleyball program in 1976 and coached from 1976-1992.

Cairns led his first team in 1976 to a 29-16 record and advanced to the AIAW National Small School Tournament. His 1980 team posted the most wins in a single season during his career with a 30-11 record. Today, the 30 wins is second-most in school history, only behind the 31 matches won in 2010.

In his 17^thyear, 1992, Cairns led the Golden Hurricane into their first season as a member of an athletic conference, the Missouri Valley Conference.

"The passing of Dr. Cairns is a sad time for Tulsa volleyball. Dr. Cairns set an example for the TU community regarding loyalty, education, and dedication to the sport of volleyball. His legacy in the promotion of women's athletics is something that the Tulsa volleyball program will be forever grateful," said Tulsa volleyball coach Ryan Wills.

"He was a professor and coach to his last days. Coach Cairns loved attending our matches and practices and he will definitely be missed in the gym. He set the standard for love of the game, while strongly emphasizing the academic experience of college life. Dr. Cairns built the ground floor of Tulsa volleyball and will forever be a part of our culture," added Wills.

Through the years, Dr. Cairns was active in promoting women's equity in sports and was pivotal in Title IX compliance at TU in both sports and the academic STEM fields. In 1999, the "Dr. Tom Cairns Golden Hurricane Classic" volleyball tournament was established in his honor; and in 2010, Tulsa student-athletes, through the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, selected Professor Cairns as Faculty Member of the Year at the Golden 'Cane Awards.

In 2017, Cairns received The University of Tulsa's Athletic Hall of Fame Order of Merit Award, presented to those individuals who have provided hours of dedicated service to TU athletics for the benefit of Golden Hurricane student-athletes.

During his career of more than 52 years as a professor of mathematics at TU, he served as the department chair (1967-1976), where he sought to implement tenure; he also successfully promoted computer science as a separate intellectual discipline and established the B.S degree in computer science in 1972. Due to this work, the Academic Achievement Award for outstanding seniors in Computer Science and Information Technology was named the "Thomas W. Cairns Award" and is given to graduating seniors with 3.5 GPA or higher each year at the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences Honors and Awards Ceremony.

The impact Coach Cairns had on the lives of his former players and students was far-reaching. Two former players –– Jenniffer (Mutum) Deckard and Tammy (Holzhuter) Pottenger –– shared thoughts about their former coach.

"Known as simply 'Coach' by his players, there was so much more that defined his impactful role in our lives. Coach was an early advocate for the inclusion and the advancement of women, beginning with both academic and athletic opportunities. He established and coached the TU women's volleyball program on a shoestring budget, and effectively stretched those dollars by recruiting high-academic prospects from all corners of the country. He created a culture where his athletes were expected to excel in the classroom, to work as a team on the court, and to then go on to create highly successful lives and careers, with our TU experience as a strong and foundational cornerstone. This was his very simple and unwavering model – and his legacy lives on – highly visible through the multi-generational impact that he and his efforts have had on so many. Thank you, Coach"

A memorial service for Dr. Tom Cairns will be held on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, 11:00 AM, in Sharp Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society or to the "Tom Cairns Mathematics Scholarship" to support students of mathematics focused on research and/or education at The University of Tulsa. Gifts may be directed to: The University of Tulsa, 800 S. Tucker Drive, Tulsa, OK 74104 (memo: Tom Cairns Mathematics Scholarship).

TU Athletics Mourns Passing of Longtime Volleyball Coach and Mathematics Professor Dr. Tom Cairns

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