Denison University

Tom Jefferson came to Denison in 1968 from nearby Newark, and by the time he graduated in 1972, he had established himself as one of the finest track athletes ever to attend the University. The Denison record he established in the 100 meter dash, 10.4 seconds, still stands today. In 1972, Jefferson was a three-event champion in the Great Lakes Colleges Association track meet, winning the 100 and 200 meter dashes, and running on the first-place 400 meter relay. 

After his senior season, the Ohio Athletic Conference honored him with its MVP trophy, the Sterling Geesman award, and he was voted Most Valuable Trackman by his teammates at Denison. Jefferson was a member and officer of the Black Student Union while at Denison, and he was the recipient of the Martin Luther King Scholarship Award in 1972.