In 1970, fresh out of Springfield College, Tom Mehan joined the faculty at the Windsor Locks Middle School. Over the next twenty five years Tom served the students of Windsor Locks as a teacher, coach and athletic director. 

As a result of Tom’s work, the Hartford Courant praised the Windsor Locks Middle School as having the “best of both worlds” for its combination of strong inter-scholastic sports teams and a vibrant intramural program.

In 1975, Tom succeeded fellow Hall of Famer Al Shapiro as boys’ basketball coach. In the years that followed Tom coached baseball, softball, and cross country while he also served as the athletic director.  Tom expanded the intramural program at the Middle School to include activities such as basketball, bowling, cross county, dodgeball, floor hockey, golf, softball, tennis, and track and field. As a result, a majority of the student body participated in some sport during their tenure at the school.

Outside of his work at the school, Tom served as President of the Suffield Little League, and District 8 All Star coordinator. He was instrumental in establishing regular season competition between the Suffield and Windsor Locks Little League programs.  Tom also served as an official, working at the high school and college level in basketball, and at the high school level in soccer, softball and volleyball.

Tom’s lasting legacy is a generation of Windsor Locks students who grew and matured through their involvement and enjoyment of sports.  His commitment, passion and innovation led him to the Hall of Fame.