Cabalka left lasting impact at MHS

Middleton Hall of Fame boys golf coach Tom Cabalka is retiring after the 2026 season ends.

Cabalka has been on Middleton’s staff for 35 years and been the Cardinals’ head coach since 2005.

During Cabalka’s time in the program, Middleton has been to the WIAA Division 1 state tournament 24 times and won state championships in 1993, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2011.

The 75-year-old Cabalka’s legacy goes well beyond trophies and medals, though. His ability to relate with athletes from multiple generations and motivate them is legendary.

Here’s what some who knew Cabalka best said about the illustrious coach.

LUKE WEISS

CURRENT MIDDLETON SENIOR

“Some things that have really impacted me as a player of ‘Coach C’ is his connection with us. I have a connection with ‘Coach C’ that doesn’t just include golf. Our relationship runs further than that as it does with other players. Although he’s our golf coach, he truly feels like one of us as a big family. ‘Coach C’ has meant so much to me over the past four years and I will carry the lessons he has taught me over these four years into the rest of my life.”
 

BRADY THOMAS

CLASS OF 2016

“I was lucky enough to have ‘Coach C’ as my gym teacher at Northside Elementary, so I have a lot of great memories with him that go back well before high school golf. Some of my earliest sports memories are from Middleton football and basketball games where ‘Coach C’ always found ways to make kids feel included. He invited me to be a ball boy for the football team, and during basketball season he ran the scorer’s table. At halftime, all of his Northside students would come over and he would raffle off candy for us. Stuff like that made him everyone’s favorite teacher.

“Coach C made the Middleton golf experience special. We had some really good teams during my four years, but what stands out most are the traditions he created. Anytime we won a tournament, Coach would stop and get us Kwik Trip slushies on the way home. He also organized an overnight golf trip each year to one of our assistant coach’s cabins, which became one of the best team bonding experiences of the season.”

BLAKE JENS

CLASS OF 2011

“Personally, ‘Coach C’ was the reason I played golf with so much grit and determination and the reason the mental toughness part of my game became so much better as I went through high school. There were times that defensive coordinator Cabalka came out at the golf course and that helped me grow a lot.”

TOM SCHMITT

MIDDLETON ASSISTANT COACH

“Tom's presence, charisma and knowledge grabbed the attention of those he was with, regardless of being in the classroom with elementary kids, athletes he had on his team or groups of colleagues and friends telling stories and talking strategy. He would be the "tough love" and the "confidence builder" all in the same class or practice. He loved to see kids succeed and have fun while they were in his guidance. 

“Kids knew that he would hold them accountable to the standards of excellence he wanted for his student/athletes in his tenure with MHS boys golf. Many generations between coach and athletes sometimes don't mix as well as TC and his golfers. Some people think that "the game has passed a veteran coach by" — not TC and his athletes. He has fun seeing them work together, become a team and develop the special bond that he has with his golfers for 35 years. Laughter, joking and little challenges are an everyday occurrence on the course.”

BECKY HALVERSON

GIRLS GOLF COACH/BOYS ASSISTANT

“For our golf program, TC represented consistency, positivity, and pride in Middleton athletics. He was always there to support us, celebrate successes, and help during challenges. He cared about the experience student-athletes were having, not just the results. One thing I’ll always appreciate is how much he loved being around people. He truly enjoyed talking with students and staff and hearing about what was going on in their lives. 

“His impact goes far beyond wins or accomplishments. TC helped create the culture that makes Middleton special, and there are countless students and coaches who are better because of him. We’ll definitely miss seeing him around, but his impact on MHS will last a long time.”

BRAD CRANDELL

MIDDLETON ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

“Tom’s a connector and he builds relationships incredibly well. And for him, it’s pretty simple: it’s school first, athletics second and always be a good person. And we have great people and great students here and he’s a huge part of that. If you listen to him and you buy in, you’ll get an experience that’s second to none. He will be missed.”

SAMMY FORSLUND

MIDDLETON SENIOR

“In my past four years ‘Coach C’ has been super helpful. He always keeps practice fun and competitive. He has the perfect balance of fun and seriousness, keeping golf fresh and exciting while always maintaining a mindset of getting better every day.”