DePauw University

Tom Blake earned nine varsity letters at DePauw in a time when freshmen were not eligible to compete in varsity athletics. He participated in track and field, cross country and swimming. As a junior, he broke the DePauw pole vault record and shared the Indiana Collegiate Conference championship in the event as he helped the Tigers capture the ICC championship. As a sophomore, he finished second in the pole vault at the ICC meet. In cross country he helped lead the Tigers to a pair of ICC titles and a second-place showing. Upon graduation, Blake served three years in the Army before earning a master's degree from Michigan in 1966. He then moved on to a public relations position with American Airlines in New York. In 1970 he began a career with Victoria Station where he served as a director of operations and director of marketing. He continued in marketing and sales until 1988 when he founded his own deli, which he still owns. He has served on the board of directors for Meals on Wheels in New York and San Francisco.