University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame
Thomas Mills 1967 - Swimming
One of the most respected athletes in the 1960s, Tom Mills was a four-year swim star who set a standard for those fine athletes who would follow him the next two decades. A 1989, UVM Hall of Fame inductee, he set school and pool records in the freestyle sprints throughout his career.
As one of the top freestyle specialists in the Yankee Conference, his 50-yard freestyle record (22.60) held up for 12 seasons at Vermont. Mills 22.60 earned him a third-place finish at the New England Championships in 1967, at the time, UVM's best individual performance at that meet. A team co-captain as a senior, he also set the UVM mark in the 100-yard freestyle (50.3) which also earned him a third place at the New Englands in 1967.
Mills was the recipient of both the Semans Trophy ("awarded to a senior who is outstanding in the respect and regard of his fellow students for leadership, loyalty and service to the University") and the team's MVP award. Remembers his former coach, Les Leggett: "Tom was the most outstanding leader we ever had."
His leadership was displayed elsewhere on campus, earning top honors in ROTC and as president of his fraternity (Sigma Nu). Mills also served on the interfraternity council and was a member of the Ethan Allen rifle team. A Burlington native, Mills is a Vietnam veteran serving in the Army.
