Tom Kanka '84
A big presence on and off the field, Tom dedicated much of his life to Charger football. An NAIA All-American at defensive line, Tom helped lead the Chargers to an undefeated regular season in 1982, while also earning a varsity letter in baseball. He was the football team captain in 1983, and was the team's most valuable defensive lineman. He parlayed his success at Hillsdale to NFL stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions. After his playing days, Tom entered the coaching ranks and worked with Charger football coach Keith Otterbein at Ferris State. After his playing days, Tom has been an integral part of the Gridiron Club and has been a driving force in the fundraising organization for more than a decade. His support of the program, whether it comes in the form of endless phone calls over the summer or cheering from the sidelines, has been invaluable over the years.