Tom Worthing was a four-year letter winner in football, basketball and track and field at McPherson College – earning all-conference honors in football at defensive end as a senior. He was a two-year captain in football and a senior co-captain in basketball.
 
Worthing received his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from McPherson in 1967 and went on to earn a Master of Science degree – also in mathematics – from Emporia State University in 1975.
 
After nearly two decades teaching and coaching at Inman High School, he moved to Hutchinson Community College (HCC), where he coached women's basketball, track and field and cross country and taught in the math department. Worthing's 12-year run as coach of the Blue Dragons produced a 225-116 mark, including five 20-win seasons, nine finishes inside the top three of the West Division of the Kansas Jayhawk Conference, and three trips to the NJCAA Region VI Tournament semifinals – laying the foundation for what has become one of the nation's top junior college programs. After retiring from coaching in 1993, he remained at HCC as a faculty member until 2008.
 
He retired atop the HCC women's basketball career coaching wins list but now ranks second behind current coach John Ontjes. His 341 games coached at Hutchinson, however, remain the most in program history.
 
Worthing was twice honored during his time at HCC – in 2004 with the Golden Dragon Award, which recognizes teaching excellence and community service, and again in 2015 with induction into HCC Quarterback Club Hall of Fame. He also received a 25-year service award from the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association.
 
Worthing lives in Inman with his wife Connie. The couple have three grown children: Amy, Laura and Chris.