Sheldon, Iowa – Northwest Iowa Community College (NCC) is excited to announce that Tom Rupp has joined the College as its first Head Men’s Golf Coach, officially beginning his role on July 1, 2026. Rupp recently retired from MOC-Floyd Valley after an outstanding 37-year career as a middle school physical education teacher and girls golf coach. He will lead NCC’s inaugural men’s golf program as the College continues expanding its intercollegiate athletics offerings.
“Tom is the ideal person to build our men’s golf program from the ground up,” said Eric Francis, NCC Athletics Director. “His decades of coaching experience, commitment to student-athletes, and passion for developing young people make him an outstanding fit for Northwest Iowa Community College. Tom understands that college athletics is about much more than competition—it’s about preparing students for success in the classroom, on the course, and in life. We’re excited to welcome him to Thunder Athletics and look forward to seeing the impact he’ll have on our student-athletes and the future of the program.”
Rupp brings nearly four decades of coaching experience to NCC, having started coaching junior high athletics in 1989 and high school golf in 1992. Throughout his career, he coached at both Pocahontas Area and MOC-Floyd Valley, helping student-athletes develop both on and off the course. A graduate of Iowa Lakes Community College, Rupp earned an Associate of Arts degree before completing his Bachelor of Arts in Education at the University of Northern Iowa.
“I retired from teaching after 37 years and am excited to start a new chapter at NCC,” Rupp said. “I’m looking forward to working with young people who share my passion for golf and helping prepare them for future challenges both on and off the course.”
Rupp has built his coaching philosophy around helping student-athletes grow as golfers, teammates, and individuals. “I’ve always enjoyed seeing athletes improve and accomplish goals they’ve worked hard to achieve,” he said. “Learning from both failure and success is vital. A sense of humor and flexibility are also very important.”
As he builds the foundation for the Thunder men’s golf program, Rupp is looking for student-athletes who are committed both academically and athletically. “I look for players who have a passion for golf, are serious about academics, have a strong work ethic, are great teammates, and demonstrate outstanding character,” Rupp explained.
The foundation for the program is already in place, with 10 student-athletes committed to joining NCC’s inaugural men’s golf team. “Recruiting has gone well,” Rupp said. “We have 10 outstanding student-athletes on the team this year. Even though this is our first season, I expect us to be competitive in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference while continuing to build toward becoming an NJCAA National Golf qualifier.”
In addition to coaching, Rupp will also serve in the NCC Foundation Office, where he will support alumni relations and fundraising efforts. The role reflects his lifelong commitment to education and student success while extending his impact beyond the golf course and into the broader College community.
For Rupp, success extends far beyond wins and losses. “My goal is for every golfer to graduate and either earn a good job or continue their education,” he said.
As Northwest Iowa Community College prepares for its inaugural men’s golf season, Rupp looks forward to building a program where student-athletes compete at a high level, excel in the classroom, and prepare for successful futures beyond NCC.
For more information about NCC Thunder Athletics, visit thunder.nwicc.edu. NCC competes in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC).
