Tom
Sakal was one of the most successful athletes of his era. Born and
raised in the Logstown section of Aliquippa, Tom was a two sport
star on the Quips football and basketball teams. As a senior in
football, he was named Aliquippa’s most valuable player and received
honorable mention All State honors, and in basketball, he led the
Quips in scoring, was named team MVP, and earned first team All
Section and honorable mention All State honors. Tom received over
100 college scholarship offers for both basketball and football, but
decided to play football at the University of Minnesota, where he
was a three year starter for the Gophers, and was a three time All
Big 10 Conference selection and an honorable mention All American in
1965 and 1967. He was named Minnesota’s MVP as a senior and played
in the Blue-Gray Classic and the Hula Bowl. In spring 1968, Tom was
selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the tenth round of the NFL
draft, and was a member of the Viking’s taxi squad for eleven games
before being drafted into military service. Tom served for three
years as a machine gunner and platoon sergeant in fought in Vietnam.
After his military service, Tom became an executive in the insurance
industry. Tom asked that the following be inscribed on his Hall of
Fame plaque: “Utilizing principles of athletics while demonstrating
outstanding leadership skills with commitment to excellence, you
have brought honor to your family, pride to your community, and
recognition to yourself.”
Tom
Sakal was one of the most successful athletes of his era. Born and
raised in the Logstown section of Aliquippa, Tom was a two sport
star on the Quips football and basketball teams. As a senior in
football, he was named Aliquippa’s most valuable player and received
honorable mention All State honors, and in basketball, he led the
Quips in scoring, was named team MVP, and earned first team All
Section and honorable mention All State honors. Tom received over
100 college scholarship offers for both basketball and football, but
decided to play football at the University of Minnesota, where he
was a three year starter for the Gophers, and was a three time All
Big 10 Conference selection and an honorable mention All American in
1965 and 1967. He was named Minnesota’s MVP as a senior and played
in the Blue-Gray Classic and the Hula Bowl. In spring 1968, Tom was
selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the tenth round of the NFL
draft, and was a member of the Viking’s taxi squad for eleven games
before being drafted into military service. Tom served for three
years as a machine gunner and platoon sergeant in fought in Vietnam.
After his military service, Tom became an executive in the insurance
industry. Tom asked that the following be inscribed on his Hall of
Fame plaque: “Utilizing principles of athletics while demonstrating
outstanding leadership skills with commitment to excellence, you
have brought honor to your family, pride to your community, and
recognition to yourself.”