Tom Chad – Athlete

It’s unusual, but a rich bloodline of hockey players produced one of Prince Albert’s most dominant football players and track and field stars.

Tom Chad was born on March 9, 1955, in Prince Albert with his father and two uncles having had enjoyed successful hockey careers. Tom, however, excelled in everything but hockey.

While attending St. Mary High School, Tom participated in basketball, volleyball, badminton, soccer and cross-country, but it was football and track and field where he dominated.  At high school, Tom was the most valuable player on the football team after winning the rushing title and becoming the all-time leader in points scored. He also captured city and provincial titles in the long jump, high jump, 100-yard, 220-yard and 440-yard running distances.

A collegiate career ensued and for five years Tom Chad continued his domination in both athletic endeavors.

On the football field with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, Tom established a pair of records when he averaged 19 yards a carry in a single game played on Sept. 7, 1974, and that same year his average per-carry was nine yards for the entire season. In 1977, Tom was selected to play for Canada in the Can-Am all-star game against the USA and he was also the Edmonton Eskimos’ number 1 pick in the Canadian Football League college draft. Subsequent tryouts with the Eskimos, Calgary Stampeders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders never landed him a professional contract, but he had made a mark on the provincial and national football scene. In fact, he was named to the all-Canadian all-star team in 1977 as a defensive back.

While with the Huskies’ track team, Tom continued his proficiency as he captured a national title in the 200-yard race in 1975 and two years later he was a part of the national champion 4 x 200 metre relay team which established a Canadian record in the process. At a tri-meet held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1977, Tom established a new school record for the 300-yard distance while also winning the 440 yard race.

After graduating from college in 1978, Tom turned to coaching as he helped at the U of S sport camps in both football and track and field and he was also an assistant coach with his alma mater – the Huskies – for four seasons. Tom has also conducted coaching clinics and arranged Emergency Medical Technician coverage at junior football games.

Named the outstanding male athlete at the University of Saskatchewan in 1978 and inducted into the U of S Athletic Wall of Fame in 1994, it is only fitting that his hometown acknowledge his accomplishments as he is given his rightful spot in the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame athlete category.

Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.