Tom graduated in the class of 1982 from Milaca High School. He participated in football,

basketball, and track. He excelled in athletics receiving MVP and all conference recognition in

football and all conference and honorable mentions in basketball, and numerous conference

championships and state qualifications in track and field. He set records in the 200, 400, 800,

4X400 hundred relay, and high jump.
 

After high school, Tom attended Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and

participated in football where he received all conference football receiver recognition in 1984

and 1985. He set Augustana records for career receptions, receiving yards, and receiving

touchdowns. He also participated in track, receiving all conference accolades in 1984, 1985,

and 1986, NCAA All-American in 1985, and an NCAA championship participant in 1986. Tom

graduated from Augustana receiving a degree in Health and Physical Education/Recreation in

1987. He was elected into the Augustana Hall of Fame in 1998.
 

Tom spent time with two professional football teams, the St. Louis Cardinals and the

Cincinnati Bengals. After his playing career was finished, Tom attended the University of Iowa

to further his education. While attending Iowa, Tom began his coaching career, coaching with

the legendary Hayden Fry and his football coaching staff. In 1990, Iowa won the Big 10

Conference and played the Washington Huskies in the Rose Bowl. While at the University of

Iowa, Tom earned his Master’s Degree. He began his career with Gustavus Adolphus in 1991

and was an instructor in the Health and Exercise Science Department. He was also an

assistant coach in both the football and track and field programs. During his 18 year tenure

with the football program, primarily as a wide receiver coach and offensive coordinator, he

coached 18 all-conference receivers.
 

In December 2008, Brown transitioned from coaching to become the Assistant Athletics

Director at the college, and by June 2012, he was promoted to Director of Athletics. Since

taking on the role, Brown has overseen significant facility expansions, including a $29 million

upgrade in 2022, as well as the addition of a new baseball stadium and golf facility. Under his

leadership, Gustavus athletic teams have excelled at both the conference and NCAA levels.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Brown has remained connected to his Milaca

roots, maintaining strong ties with students from Milaca and across Minnesota, positively

impacting their experience at Gustavus.
 

Tom is married to his wife Dawn (also a Milaca alumni) and together they have two adult

children, Ann Marie and Thomas.