By Trevor Steele

When the athletes for the 2021 World Track and Field Championships come to town, they may pay little notice to a gym in a bright red barn, just off East Broadway where a former champion now holds court.

Lane alum Tom Pappas, owner of Lane 5 Crossfit, once dominated track and field's most challenging discipline—decathlon, achieving success at the sport's highest levels.

When Tom came to Lane, he knew he wanted to do track. His older brother, Paul, was running for the University of Oregon and encouraged Tom to follow his lead. Tom found a home with the coaches and students in the community of Titans at Lane. Coaches Brad Jones and Del Hessel helped Tom learn and master the ten disciplines of decathlon.

"Lane's track program isn't a classic, small-school program," said Tom. "The coaches and training are comparable to any NCAA Division I school, and the students are just as dedicated."

Off the field, Tom found his stride in the classroom. He took general education classes to prepare to transfer to a four-year university. His favorite class: sports management. And when he wasn't on the track or in the classroom, he worked in Lane's locker room. Tom learned how to balance training, school, and work during his time at Lane, skills that have been critical throughout his life.
"Lane gave me a foundation that extended way beyond training and winning races," said Tom. "Lane taught me how to balance my life and live responsibly. It is a foundation that has helped me become who I am today."

In his second year at Lane, Tom was offered a full-ride scholarship to the University of Tennessee (UT) in track and field. At UT, Tom won the decathlon at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, the same year he held the NCAA record for decathlon points. After graduating, Tom went on to become one of the most decorated decathletes of all time, competing in two Olympic games and making three U.S. Olympic teams. He also won two world championships, seven national titles, and was ranked #1 in the world in 2003 and 2004. In 2003, Tom received the Jesse Owens Award from USA Track and Field.

Today, you can find Tom in his red, barn-shaped gym, hidden behind a soon-to-be-finished student housing project near East Broadway. Following his successful track career, he opened the Lane 5 Crossfit gym with his brother. Tom helps others achieve their fitness goals and he regularly gives back to the community. In corners and on the ceiling of the gym are images from Tom's past—banners from track meets, photos, and other memorabilia. Occasionally, visiting track and field athletes will call to ask about getting in a workout at his gym.

"Visiting athletes will come in here, see a few of the things on the walls, and ask if I ever did track," said Tom.

Little do they know that they have entered the domain of a champion.

Find out more online about track and field and athletics at Lane.

Published by Lane Community College Marketing and Public Relations July 2015.