Tom Ward was one of Hillsdale College’s elite athletes in
the years immediately following World War II. He was named MIAA MVP
in 1947 after leading all colleges in Michigan with 18 touchdowns
(108 points). As a track athlete, he was the MIAA champion in the
120 high hurdles and 220 low hurdles in 1948. After college, he
signed a professional football contract with the New York Yankees,
who would later evolve into the Indianapolis Colts. He later worked
for the Grand Blanc Volunteer Fire Department for 35 years, and
served as chief for 25 years. Ward was a staff sergeant in the Air
Force and was a B-25 engineer gunner.