Tom Witherspoon Texas Strength and Power HoF inductee 2021

By Strength and Power Hall of Fame

Personal history:
Married 51 years to Sandra S. Witherspoon
2 children: Stephen Thomas Witherspoon
Mary Jac Witherspoon/O'Daniel and her husband Paul O'Daniel

What lead you to your sport:
I started lifting weights at age 16 and trained when it was not considered proper for an athlete. 
Was a walk on Pole Vaulted at SMU between 1967 and 1971 and when I graduated I was #5 all time. 
Was a three sport letterman at Ferris High School (Football, Basketball and Track). My Letter Jacket hangs in the Athletic Department and I held the school record in the pole vault for 35 years. 

 

Achievements in your sport:
Won the Texas State Championship 5 times in Olympic Lifting.
Pan American Gold Medalist in 1990, 2000 and 2014 (Masters Division)
World Cup Masters Weightlifting Gold Medalist in 2015.

State, National and World records:
Set State Records in Masters Division at age 40 (100 kg, 127.5 kg), 45 (90 kg and 115 kg), 50 (80 kg and 100 kg) and 55 (75 kg and 90 kg). 

 

Other accomplishments:
B.S. in Civil Engineering from SMU
Masters in Business from UTD
PhD in Civil Engineering from UTA in 2006 at age 57
Licensed Professional Engineer, Licensed Professional Land Surveyor, Irrigator, Professional Geoscientist, Structural Engineering Certification, Diplomate as a Geotechnical Engineer
Owner of 2 U.S. Patents 
I have authored 2 books (Residential Foundation Performance and Infrastructure, Evaluation, Maintenance & Repair)

 

Other activities within the sport:
Was the organizer for the Texas State Championship for 25 years (1980-2005) During that time period the Spoon Barbell Club won the state Championship 26 times
I am a recognized National Referee for Olympic Weightlifting

 

Author: By Strength and Power Hall of Fame Completed: yes Created: Sun Jul 04 18:40:23 UTC 2021 | Last Updated: Fri Dec 22 04:18:14 UTC 2023