Catching up with Scott Holdsworth
Meet: Scott Holdsworth
Education: Graduated from Newcomerstown High School, Class of 1979; Graduated from Ohio Northern University, Class of 1983 BSBA.
Current Occupation: Sr. Director of Education, Atlanta Campus Medical Sales College
Scott, please tell us a little bit about your family, where you currently reside, and what hobbies you enjoy.
“I am the son of Ward and Linda Holdsworth who have been residents of New Philadelphia since 1984 and I have a sister Kris. We lived in Shelby, Ohio, the first five years of my life and then we moved to Newcomerstown in the summer of 1966 where I lived and attended Newcomerstown High School until it was time for college. My father was the head football coach of the Trojans those 13 years, and I literally had the great fortune to grow up in the locker room. He cast a long shadow of influence over many of us which remains to this day. It was great to see that a few Fridays ago for the 100th Anniversary of Trojan football.
"I have been blessed with two wonderful sons. The oldest, Tyler, is married and lives in Dallas, Texas with his wife Kathleen and my first grandson Reece, who is celebrating his first birthday at the end of the month. My younger son, Erik, is single and lives in Memphis, Tennessee with his mother.
"I currently reside in Roswell, Georgia, and work for Atlanta Medical Sales College as both an Orthopedic instructor (knee, hip, and trauma), and Campus Director for our Atlanta Campus. I moved to Georgia last November and really enjoy the area.
"My hobbies are relatively simple. As many know I am a passionate fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes, especially football and basketball. We’re finally back to that time of year all fans look forward to. I also enjoy playing golf, but miss my time playing with Mom and Dad and some of their friends, especially my good friend the late Dave Seabrook. I also like listening to 80’s music and going to the latest movies.
"Right now, my biggest passion and hobby is Memphis BBQ. I got to dive into it when I resided in Memphis, and I actually am on a team that competes in ribs. I have my own smoker and love to cook just about anything. All my Atlanta classes get a taste of it as well. Of everything though, I especially look forward to being able to spoil my grandchildren!!”
Where else have you been employed since college?
“I graduated from Ohio Northern University in the spring of 1983 and not much was available at that time in my field. I was residing in Dover, and worked retail and painting houses until January 1986 when I received the call that literally changed my life. Charlie Deeds was the father of my good friend Jay, and he told me after college that he had nothing for me with Zimmer at the time but said 'I’ll call you when I do,' and he kept his word. This was the start of a nearly 19-year career in Dover and the corporate office in Warsaw, Indiana. I left Zimmer in late 2004 as one of four Global Directors of Marketing. After Zimmer, I spent fourteen years working for Smith and Nephew. I was then connected by a former colleague with Medical Sales College and the timing was right for both of us. I moved to their headquarters in Tampa, Florida at the beginning of the COVID crisis. It was great living there, but I was unable to experience all the area had to offer due to the pandemic. It was a joy to work with some very talented people in a recruiting capacity for the first year and a half, and then fate stepped in once again. We needed a Campus Director in Atlanta and management felt I was the right person for that job, so I packed up everything and moved to Roswell last November and the rest is history.”
Please tell us about your current job and what your responsibilities entail.
“My role as the Campus Director for the Atlanta Campus of Medical Sales College is rather unique in that I’m responsible for all aspects of training at our location. Our program is 12 weeks in duration with three being online and nine on campus for live instruction. I am their instructor for six of the 12 weeks and I also serve as an instructor for three weeks at our San Diego, California Campus. It certainly keeps me busy and with my parents both retired teachers, that aspect seems to come somewhat natural to me — after all I got to live with two of the very best!
Tell us about your time spent growing up in Newcomerstown and what do you miss about the Newcomerstown Community?
"Again, there is no better place for a little boy to grow up than in a football locker room with your dad as the coach! It was a truly charmed life as I got to watch my heroes play on Friday nights under the lights. Then on Saturday afternoons, Woody Hayes and the Buckeyes were winning two Heisman Trophies with Archie Griffin. Sunday’s were for the Cleveland Browns games after church. It was also not without its pressures — try being the kid who had almost no athletic talent in middle school and then into early high school. I was the epitome of the late bloomer and was finally able to contribute as a junior and then lead as a senior when it was finally our time. Dad often talks about that 1978 team as one of his favorites to coach as we had less expectations and came within a few bad breaks of a very outstanding season.
"My family attended St. Paul Lutheran Church in Newcomerstown, and were lucky to be led by the incomparable William O. Calvert, who was a wonderful man, and he gave me my first opportunity for public speaking. He asked me to read scripture at Sunday services and that was great for both my speaking ability and confidence. Our Youth Ministry experiences were awesome, and I couldn’t have asked for better friends. From a trivia standpoint, the old church burnt down, and the architect chosen for the rebuild was my brother-in-law Tim Hawk.
"These days, I don’t get enough time with my classmates and friends due to living away. That’s why attending special events like the opening of the Field House and the 100th Anniversary of Football celebration were so important to attend. I do feel a duty and sincerely miss the great friendships that were formed during my time in Newcomerstown. I wish I could have given my sons a similar hometown experience that allowed you to be a part of anything you wished.”
Is there anything else you would like to highlight?
“A great memory for me and all of the community was the fall of 1972. It was the 50th year of Trojan football and we had a magical 10-0 season which united the school and town like nothing else could. It was the best of times and the worst of times when the computer system decided we were not going to get the chance to compete for a championship.
"My class of 1979 was a truly outstanding collection of individuals. It was the largest to date at 111 students and was extremely competitive academically. We had our successes on and off the field, and I believe in my heart of hearts that it was the last great class to walk those hallowed halls for a multitude of reasons. I had a very unique view into all of it due to my parents and I wouldn’t change a thing. I was also fortunate to be Senior Class President which was a truly great honor.
"I guess in summary my message is rather simple — you can absolutely start at the bottom and still reach your dreams. It takes work and sacrifice, and it will not be easy, but hang in and just do the work. Have faith in yourself and sometimes it’s just whether or not the timing is right. I was a Newcomerstown resident when Star Wars came out and I vividly remember watching it in New Philadelphia with my dad and Kris. My reference here is we just don’t know what our destiny is. In my case, I continue to wonder on a daily basis just what mine truly is and where it is yet to take me. Trojan for life!”
Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct how many years he worked at Smith and Nephew.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Catching up with Scott Holdsworth
