Media Release
OUTLOOK - Lloyd Tulp, a teacher and coach at Outlook High School, has had a distinguished career as both a coach and as an official, impacting numerous sports and athletes at many levels.
His coaching journey began in 1989, just two years after graduating from high school. Over the years, he has coached Under 5 and Under 7 soccer, girls' softball up to under 11, and football across all school ages. His expertise has extended to serving as the Offensive-line/Special Teams coach with the Calgary Colts of the Prairie Junior Football League, and as the Offensive-line/Defensive-line coach and Defensive Coordinator for Team USA at three Can-Am Bowls.
At Outlook High School, he has coached wrestling and football for grades 6-12, Junior Girls basketball, and Senior Boys volleyball. “I have developed a diverse style over the years that has had to slowly change based on what I was coaching and the group. Over the years, my coaching style changed but my message has stayed the same,” he stated.
Over his career Mr. Tulp has developed a coaching philosophy that he feels very strongly about. “I feel that the most important things that we as coaches can teach are good solid family values and ethics,” he explained. “Values such as accountability to yourself and others, compassion and empathy, care and understanding for others. On my teams we look out for each other, are there for a teammate when needed, hold ourselves to a higher standard of behavior as we represent our parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, teachers, and school when we are seen as more than just a student but that of a student athlete,” he added. Mr. Tulp's coaching philosophy has been influenced by his own experiences as an athlete. He has taken valuable lessons from each of his coaches, teams, and sports, which have shaped his approach to coaching and officiating.
As well known as Mr. Tulp, is for his coaching, he is also very dedicated to serving as an official in many sports including basketball, volleyball, and wrestling for the past 15 years. Additionally, he has served as a baseball umpire for the past six years at various levels.
For Mr. Tulp, being an official holds significant importance. He explains, "I took so much from sports over my school and university career that I felt there had to be another way for me to give back to the sporting community besides coaching. This way, I can help develop sports at the grassroots level." He believes that officiating allows him to be a positive role model for athletes and to instill a solid base of morals and ethics in sports.
Mr. Tulp encourages those interested in becoming officials, regardless of the sport, to reach out to someone involved in their chosen sport. "Find a mentor that you are willing to learn from and who is willing to teach you. Do as much as you possibly can to grow at the pace that you want to," he advises. He also calls on athletic directors to think creatively to find opportunities for young officials to succeed. "Give them direction, give them guidance, be a soundboard for when they are having a hard time making choices and decisions," he says. Mr. Tulp emphasizes the importance of support, noting, "Knowing that you have an adult in your corner will make the biggest difference to young officials when they need support. Remember, you have the ability to make a difference."
Reflecting on his officiating career, Mr. Tulp shares many memorable moments. From watching his child succeed in the same sport he is involved in, to officiating members of the national Olympic team during their Olympic run, his experiences have been rewarding. However, he highlights one particular moment: "The best moment has to be when athletes and coaches alike thank you personally for being there for them and making their competition a memorable and positive experience. The respect given at that moment makes a huge difference in how a person views the event."
