Former Colorado College student-athlete Tom Southall '85 has been selected for induction into the National Federation of State High School Association's National High School Hall of Fame.
 
Southall, who was born without his right hand and wrist, is one of five athletes, four coaches, two administrators and one official who will be inducted into the High School Hall of Fame during a July 2 ceremony in Reno, Nevada. He is the 22nd person from Colorado to achieve this honor, with this year's 34th induction class bringing the number of honorees to 447.
 
A 2009 inductee into the Colorado College Athletic Hall of Fame, Southall was a four-year standout in both football and track and field. On the gridiron, where he compiled his share of carries and pass receptions as a halfback, he is best remembered for running back kickoffs and punts. He led the nation in punt return yardage and set an NCAA Division III career mark for kickoff return yards. His 82-yard punt return against Trinity University in 1982 still stands as a school record. In track and field, he also holds the all-time CC record of 24 feet in the long jump, as well as sharing the 4-by-100 relay mark of 41.7 seconds with Fred Galves, John Champion and Pat Geonetta.
 
At Steamboat Springs (Colo.) High School, Southall was Colorado's two-time football player of the year and led the Sailors to the 1979 Class 2A state championship while setting the state's single-game rushing record with 412 yards.
 
In track and field, he set the state's 2A long jump record in 1981 with a 23-foot, 4½-inch effort and helped Steamboat Springs to three consecutive Class 2A state titles. Southall also was a member of the jazz and concert bands, earning all-state honors on the trumpet.
 
Southall is currently a teacher and coach at Cherokee Trail High School in Aurora.