University of Virginia Library

Honors, Career

His reputation as one of the
fiercest competitors in the East
resulted in an abundance of college
interest. Besides Virginia, Patton
received offers from such football
powers as Georgia Tech, Mimi
of Florida, Army, Navy, West
Virginia, and Colorado.

As a result of his performance
at West Point, Tom has received
many accolades from the press
and fans. But perhaps no more
fitting is head-coach Blackburn's
appraisal of his new linebacker,
"Tom took over the position last
fall and hasn't been dislodged
since. In the Army game we got
a remarkable performance from
him.

"He is a very severe competitor
and enjoys the game of football
immensely. He, Pete Schmidt, and
Al Sinsky graded particularly high
in the films of the Army game."

In regard to the Buffalo game,
Blackburn said, "Buffalo has an
altogether different offense than
Army and I believe Tom will adjust
to it real fine."