Tom Reason brought national prominence to Albion infootball and track and field in the early 1990s.
He won the NCAA Division III national championship in thedecathlon in 1994. His march to the title of “DivisionIII’s Greatest Athlete” started with a fifth-placefinish in the event in 1992. Tom eclipsed the 7,000-point mark forthe first time while finishing second in 1993. Also in 1994, hecame within one place of being a two-time All-American in the samemeet, placing ninth in the javelin. He was accorded All-Americastatus all three years.
On the league level, Tom ran the lead leg of theBritons’ championship 4x100-meter relay teams in 1991 and1992, and he won individual titles in the 110-meter hurdles in 1993and the javelin throw in 1994. He was a member of the MIAAAll-Conference team from 1992 to 1994.
The wide receiver from Pinckney also earned three MIAAAll-Conference first-team awards on the gridiron as he helpedAlbion earn MIAA titles from 1990 to 1993. Tom led the nation inkickoff returns as a sophomore, averaging better than 30 yards perrun during the 1991 season. In the Britons’ 35-14 win overDenison, he returned the season’s opening kickoff 91 yardsfor a touchdown. He went on to finish as Albion’s leadingreceiver for the season with 27 receptions for 436 yards and fivetouchdowns. Tom added 39 receptions for 529 yards and seven scoresin 1992.
“Tom moved from quarterback to become a real goodreceiver and kick returner,” recalled Lance Coleman,’91, who was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.“He was able to switch gears and help the team in any way hecould.
“He was strong, had good lateral movement, and wasaware,” Coleman continued. “He could get an angle ondefenders who would just miss him.”
Tom is a science teacher and coach at Pinckney CommunityHigh School. Tom and his wife, Stacy, are the parents of Dylan,Brielle, and Brooklyn.
