Coudersport, Pa., product Thom Shear earned seven varsity letters as a football and track and field standout from 1962 to 1966 at Grove City College.
He was the first player in modern Grove City history to lead the football team in scoring for three seasons. After scoring a team-high six touchdowns as a sophomore, Shear led the team in rushing in 1964 with 509 yards and a then-Grove City record 6.6 yards per carry.Â
His senior season featured a team-leading 641 rushing yards, five touchdowns and 15 pass receptions out of the backfield. An extremely fast and shifty halfback, he also returned kicks and punted for head coach Jack Behringer’s Wolverines.
Shear captained the football team in both 1964 and 1965.
Shear also displayed his versatility by earning three letters for the track and field team. In 1963, he ran on the mile relay foursome that established College Field and Grove City records with a time of 3:27.5.Â
He also won the West Penn Conference title in the javelin as a senior with a throw of 183 feet, 7 inches.
As a senior, Shear earned the Omicron Delta Kappa Sportsman of the Year award for the 1965-66 academic year.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Shear passed away October 28, 1999.
