Coach Bankston - Grief Support Available for Students

Dear TFN Students and Parents,

With profound sadness, I share the sudden passing of deans’ assistant and head basketball head coach, Tim Bankston. Our deepest sympathy is extended to his family, his friends, and all who are grieving this painful loss including TF North students, faculty and families. To assist with the grieving process, grief counseling support is being provided for our students on Thursday, July 30^th in the TF North Guidance office from 12:30 to 4:30 pm. Coach Bankston will be missed by the entire Thornton Fractional High School District 215 family, and his positive impact will be eternal. Coach Bankston became a TF North Meteor in 1997 as a special education teacher’s aide and assistant basketball coach. In 2002 he became the head coach of the basketball program. His life experiences growing up on the south side of Chicago, playing for legendary Simeon Coach Bob Hambric, winning a State Championship, and losing his close friend, teammate, and Chicago legend Ben Wilson to gun violence, gave him insight and credibility as he inspired hundreds of students and athletes to be the best players and people, they could be. For almost 30 years Coach Bankston was a mentor that countless TFN alumni credit for being the overriding influence that made them into the positive, productive members of communities that they are today. So many of our students have benefited from his inspiration and leadership and this loss is deeply painful. Please keep Coach Bankston, his family, and the countless number of people effected by his loss in your thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely, 

Brian Rucinski, Principal