Former Christendom College Coach Tom Vander Woude's Sainthood Cause Officially Opened by the Diocese of Arlington

A Legacy of Sacrifice: Diocese Explores Sainthood for Tom Vander Woude

The Arlington Diocese has formally begun investigating the cause for canonization of Tom Vander Woude, the former athletic director of Christendom College. Vander Woude’s life ended in 2008 in a profound act of love: he sacrificed himself to save his son, Josie. This story of "doing the right thing" has recently been revitalized in the college’s magazine, Instaurare.

A Life Defined by Service

In September 2008, the Christendom community was rocked by the news of Coach Vander Woude’s passing. He died just as he lived—lifting others up. Nearly twenty years later, his presence remains a fixture in the campus gym, felt in every pre-game prayer and seen in the memorial above the entrance.

Friends and family describe him as a joyful, hardworking man who modeled "sacrificial love" through coaching and his professional life. His son, Chris Vander Woude, reflects on his father's impact:

“He was a tremendous leader and guardian of our family. He did this first and foremost by leading the family towards Christ through frequent reception of the sacraments, generously giving of himself for his family, and exercising tremendous virtue day in and day out, especially in the quiet, hidden areas like temperance and courage. In many ways, he was a tremendous example of what true Catholic manhood should be, dedicated to always giving of himself, especially when it came to leading his family towards Christ and protecting and helping those that needed help.”

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From Pilot to Coach

A Vietnam veteran and commercial pilot, Vander Woude’s entry into coaching was born from fatherly devotion. Despite knowing little about soccer, he stepped up to lead his son’s team at Seton School, later adding basketball to his duties while managing a farm and a large family. After retiring from US Airways in 2002, he became the athletic director at Christendom College.

As a mentor, he was famous for a simple, recurring piece of advice: “just do the right thing.” Chris notes the depth of his father's influence:

“As a coach, he showed to all that interacted with him how ‘sports properly directed’ can and should be developed and fostered with character based on the virtues. I think dad was, for many young men especially, the most influential man in their life besides their own fathers.”

The Ultimate Offering

On September 8, 2008, Vander Woude’s youngest son, Joseph (Josie), who has Down syndrome, fell into a septic tank. Without hesitation, Vander Woude jumped in, holding Josie above the toxic surface. He told a farmhand, “You pull, I’ll push.” While Josie survived the ordeal, Tom succumbed to the toxic fumes at age 66.

The Path to Canonization

The newly formed Tom Vander Woude Guild is now working to share this story of heroic virtue. Under a 2017 provision by Pope Francis regarding the "offering of one's life," the diocese has named postulators to investigate his cause. Chris Vander Woude has spent the last two years traveling the country to share his father's legacy.

“To me, this investigation into opening his cause for canonization means that there is hope in living a life of virtue even if it is hidden or simple,” Chris said. “Dad’s story is so powerful, inspirational and full of hope. I hope that many people who learn about his life and his death will be inspired to live holy and virtuous lives in their vocation."

Chris views this process not just as a tribute to his father, but to the community that shaped him:

“Not only did dad positively impact the communities he was a member of, but those communities positively impacted dad and our family. Dad’s possible cause being opened is a credit to the communities that he and our family have been blessed to be a part of. Undoubtedly, dad’s example of how to live a virtuous yet simple life lives on in our family and communities through his memory and the lives of those whom he has touched in life and in death.”

Today, Josie continues to live on the family farm, caring for his 81-year-old mother—a living testament to the man who lived and died by the creed of doing the right thing.

Source: https://www.catholicherald.com/article/local/diocese-considers-sainthood-cause-for-christendoms-former-athletic-director/