Synopsis: The Binghamton Student-Athletes of Color for Success periodically post interviews of alumni student-athletes. Thomas Coleman, a star studded basketball player throughout his 4 years at Binghamton (1982-1986) played a huge role in the success of the team during his tenure. During the interview, Coleman reflects on the large lessons learned, the people who have helped him along the way, and as well as the hard work put into his sport that allowed him to achieve what he did. Having received multiple individual awards such as "Most Improved Player" and being named to the "NYS All-Freshman Team", we asked for insight into his athletic abilities.

Opening Questions

Q: Now that time has passed since your era of basketball, do you believe you left a mark in the Men's Basketball program to help shape what it is today?

A: Coleman states that having winning seasons and being prosperous during ECAC tournament play has helped boost attraction to the university's program. Being surrounded by teammates who are still friends to this day and coaches who believed in him, ultimately created a family-like winning atmosphere that attracts prospects. He believes that to this day, it is a core attraction to recruits still.

Q: What aspects of the department from today's time do you think would have been beneficial for you when you were playing?

A: "When I visited Binghamton for the first time in a long time in 2017, I took a tour. And all the support mechanisms in place for minorities, Remarkable. So I myself was an EOP student. I wasn't given a chance to be successful. I had people in my corner that wanted to see me succeed. I did not have a tutor, I went through the rigors of academia at Binghamton just like yourself."

The focus on the academic resources available to current student athletes left Coleman in awe during his visit. Seeing how the department and school itself does everything in its power to see their students succeed is something that all should be grateful for, he states. It provides a better balance between success in the classroom and success on the court.

Student-Athlete Life:

During his time at Binghamton, Coleman made sure to take advantage of the privilege of being a college student-athlete. He highlights the importance of doing well in school and enjoying life as an athlete. He shares the characteristics one will adopt and lessons one will learn as a student-athlete.

Q: What are some core principles you developed as a student-athlete that still you follow today?

A: "You got to have a firm schedule." Coleman stresses the importance of being accountable for yourself as he continues by saying that an important principle was "being on top of your work and also being able to balance work and campus life." He emphasizes the influence of burnout from spending all of your time studying. He was not a party person, but he made sure to spend some time away from his books to socialize. 

A work-life balance is important to Coleman. He also says that it is important as a student-athlete to take advantage of the opportunity you have as someone with the privilege of attending a university and being able to play your sport at the collegiate level. During the basketball season especially, and even after the season was over he adds "to ensure that I graduated on time, I would take an extra class every semester." He knew what he went to college for, a degree, and to secure his diploma, he worked hard.

Q: Can you provide some advice you would share to current student-athletes, or wish you had known at the time?

A: "It wasn't all peaches and cream." Coleman says that after having a great freshman campaign on the basketball team, he got a new coach. So, during his sophomore year, the coach made some decisions that Coleman did not agree with which bothered him. To stay focused, he reminded himself that he was at Binghamton to get his degree, but during his basketball career, he began to not respect the coach, and Coleman knew the coach could tell.

"If I could go back in time, I would not let it affect me as much as it did because I think it affected my playing." Coleman would change his attitude and his approach to some of the games he played his sophomore year. He was not someone who would take his issue out on his teammates or coaches, but wishes he handled his internal struggles more maturely.

Professional/Work:

From his experience with Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) here at Binghamton University, Coleman continuously spoke about the role education played in his life. The opportunity to receive a degree. Coleman understood the importance of both sports and school, and knew that both could dictate his future. 

Q: Originally your professional career started in the financial business world with being a broker and corporate actions administrator at Chase. Then you pivoted into education and coming back to your love of the game of basketball with coaching. What initiated that pivot and what advice would you give to student-athletes that are still unsure with what they want to do with their life career wise?

A: "I had contacted a brother in my chapter who worked in wall street, who was able to help me get a job in banking. I worked my way up the ranks to become an executive at Key Bank. When asked 'if I could do anything, what would it be?' I answered truthfully that I would be a high school basketball coach. So I decided to be a high school basketball coach." He started in an urban school district, as a substitute teacher and hasn't looked back since.

Coleman talks about his time at Binghamton fondly, and talked about the importance of friends and teammates that helped him. He felt college shaped him to be black man and leader for the community. He was extremely focused on getting his degree, and it was a known joke that you could find him in the library. As he said "The adversity made me tougher and made me who I am today." 

Q: You've said "As educators we must fully understand our young scholars if we want to help them succeed." As someone who is entering the education field and hopefully coaching one day, could you expand on what you think your role has been in helping others succeed. 

A: "As an administrator, my goal is to lead by example." He explained that he dealt with his own trials and tribulations and racism, and now he can help others regardless of age, gender, and ethnicity. "Somebody helped me, so my job is to help someone else".  At the mention of helping others Thomas spoke about his two sons, that got him quite emotional. His two sons also work in education, and Thomas spoke about his absolute pride in them and their careers. 

A lesson that Thomas took away in terms of collaborating in a professional sense was, to relate to them in the setting. He learned to understand what others were going through, and to have good faith in humanity. As a leader, he learned how to stand up for his team, whenever the conditions put upon them negatively affected them. Most importantly, he learned that wherever he worked, his coworkers were family.

Person of Color:

Coleman being a black man in America understands the challenge one may face in the real world. Obstacles in place to deter colored individuals from succeeding. From his experiences, he was able to provide insight. 

Q: Were there moments in your life where you feel that your race has limited you or progressed you?

A: "In corporate America, I did everything that I was told I needed to do to be successful but I knew that I wasn't earning as much as others. I told that job that I got another job offer and they didn't believe me. So I left for a job that paid me more. But I never thought throughout my banking career I was being compensated for at the same level of my peers and that bothered me. Being able to pivot careers to become an educator where, at first, I wasn't being compensated a lot but then throughout my career being paid very well is amazing. The best feeling today is that my peers within the PTA thank me for opening doors that weren't previously open."

A valuable lesson we all can learn is that as colored people, we must leave establishments we are not wanted and valued. Coleman being in an environment that ultimately belittled his existence and abilities ignited a fire in him to pivot in order to never have to deal with such emotion and betrayal.

Q: How much of your culture and background shapes your mindset and the way you go about life especially within a focus of helping others?

A: "I grew up in a middle class neighborhood in White Plains, NY. I wasn't struggling because my parents had good jobs. My siblings took their education and jobs very seriously. I was involved in sports and knew how sports could mold you into anyone you want to be. I learned that nobody could dictate my future. I was always a leader and tough. After graduating, I laughed with my fraternity brother when people threw obstacles at us. When adversity comes my way, I walk through it. If I could help anybody, regardless of age, gender, race, and if they are a positive person, I will help them."

A certain level of confidence is needed to succeed. Coleman always carried this sense of individual pride that could never interfere with his ambitions. Confidence, not arrogance, will always avail when adversity is present.

Q: If SACS existed during your time at Binghamton, how do you think it would have affected your experience and the culture at Binghamton athletics?

A: During his time at Binghamton, the number of POCs (People of Color) were very low. Resources like SACS were not available, therefore he had to expand to the BSU. SACS would've been beneficial because he could have had somewhere to talk to his people that similarly aligned with him.

Final Words

In closing, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to Thomas Coleman for sharing his experiences and insights with us. Coleman's journey from star studded basketball player at Binghamton University to his current passion in education has given us strong insight on how to navigate the world. His reflections on his time as a student-athlete, his professional journey, and his experiences as a person of color serve as a reminder of the importance of conversations like these.

By openly discussing the challenges he faced and the importance of creating spaces where diversity is celebrated, Coleman has underscored the value of community and representation. These conversations not only highlight the gaps in support for student-athletes of color but also offer solutions to build more inclusive environments.

We congratulate Coleman on all of his achievements and wish him continued success in his endeavors. His story reminds us that by embracing our identities and fostering connections, we can inspire future generations to thrive both on and off the court.