BRANDYWINE HEIGHTS ATHLETIC DEPT.
Dear Brandywine Heights Community,
As many of you know, Coach Tom Whalen will be stepping down from his role as the Head Wrestling Coach after an incredible 14 years of service to our school and program. Over the past 6 years coaching in junior high and 8 years as the high school head coach, Coach Whalen has left an indelible mark on our wrestling program and the athletes he has mentored.
Under Coach Whalen's leadership, our team has achieved remarkable success, with a combined total of 121 wins. He has coached 5 wrestlers who each achieved the 100-win milestone, 11 sectional champions, 1 District 3 Champion, and 1 Southeast Regional Champion. Additionally, Coach Whalen’s athletes have earned 22 District 3 place finishes, 13 Southeast Regional place finishes, and 13 PIAA State qualifiers, including 1 State place winner who achieved this honor three times.
Coach Whalen’s leadership helped guide the team to become the 2022-2023 Division 4 champions, as well as the 2021 Individual Sectionals Team Champions—a testament to his dedication and coaching ability. His influence extended beyond the mat—his passion for the sport and his commitment to his athletes shaped the lives of countless young wrestlers.
In addition to his many achievements, Coach Whalen was instrumental in starting the girls' wrestling program at Brandywine Heights. We became the 9th school in PIAA history to do so, an accomplishment that Coach Whalen pushed for and is incredibly proud of.
Beyond his time as a coach, Coach Whalen has also contributed to the wrestling community as a PIAA wrestling official for 13 years. His deep understanding of the sport and his tireless efforts to give back to the wrestling community have made a lasting impact.
On behalf of Brandywine Heights, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to Coach Tom Whalen for his years of hard work, dedication, and service. We are grateful for the success he has brought to our program and the positive impact he has had on the lives of our student-athletes. Coach, thank you for all you have done for Brandywine Heights wrestling, and we wish you the best in your future endeavors.
