Nakayama Was A Culver City Generational Man

Some people are jacks of all trades and a master of none but sometimes you find a person who is a master of all trades. Simply put, that was Tom Nakayama. Nakayama, who passed away in 2022 was a beacon light to everyone who knew him.

Nakayama was a Culver City middle school math teacher, a Culver City High School basketball and track and field coach, and he was a Culver City assistant high school athletic trainer. He also found time to work on the sidelines of UCLA football games on the first down chain crew. He was one of the top ushers at UCLA basketball games who was in charge of guarding the UCLA locker room in Pauley Pavilion. Believe it or not, he also worked at Disneyland in the accounting department. He did all these jobs over a span of 40 years.

What he did for Culver City Middle and High schools was immeasurable. "Mr. Nakayama embodied Culver City," said Culver City's head football coach Jahmal Wright. "He was so loving and helpful and he was so intelligent. He had the biggest heart, and he really wanted to just give back to the Culver City community and help all of the sports teams. He was an awesome math teacher that embodied the Culver City tradition of being family and looking out for each other."

Nakayama also had a great sense of humor, and he loved to laugh. "He knew how to keep it light," said Wright. "He would find untimely times to tell a joke.

"He was also a Culver City Middle and high school historian when it came to sports and his former students," said Wright. "His brain was like an almanac. He remembered everybody. He had a way of getting the best out of students and student athletes."

Tom Salter, Culver City High School's former head football coach and former Athletic Director remembers the passion Nakayama had for the Culver City schools and the athletic programs.

"Tom was one of a kind," said Salter. "He was such a good person. When I was coaching and when I was the athletic director, he was so helpful. He wanted to make sure all the players and student trainers were taken care of. He knew all about high school athletics and what needed to be done. He was always well prepared for games."

Nakayama was named NFL Teacher of the Year when former Centaur player, UCLA All-American and Pittsburg Steeler All-Pro linebacker and safety Carnell Lake nominated him for that honor in the 1990's.

Mr. Tom Nakayama passed away at the age of 82, but his legacy will live on forever in the hearts and minds of the Culver City community and the students that he touched.