When Tom Vanaskie came to Lycoming College in 1971 from Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Shamokin, he immediately became one of the top athletes at the school. While he became an important part of the school’s fabric, serving as the president of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the economics honor society and Sigma Pi fraternity, he also became just as important on the football field. He earned two All-MAC honors. After a fine senior year, Vanaskie, a cornerback, earned Honorable Mention Associated Press Little All-American, All-East and All-State honors, as he finished his career with a then-school-record 11 interceptions. He earned the school’s Tomahawk Award and the Chieftain Award, given to the senior who has shown the utmost dedication and leadership qualities. After graduation, Vanaskie went on to law school at Dickinson and after serving in private practice, he moved behind the bench and currently serves on the U.S. Third District Court of Appeals. He was inducted into the Lycoming College Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994.
