TOM LOMBARDO
TOM LOMBARDOFOOTBALL
Position: Quarterback
Born:
Played For: Soldan High School, Army
TOM LOMBARDO CHAPTER – ST. LOUIS
NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION
TOM LOMBARDO CHAPTER – ST. LOUISFounded: 1992
By Steve Porter
Tom Lombardo Sr. and the National Football Foundation in St. Louis have combined forces to touch down firmly in the end zone. Their crisp camaraderie is nothing short of championship caliber teamwork.
That successful mixture has enabled the late Lombardo Sr., a St. Louis native, and the city’s National Football Foundation, both to be enshrined into the Class of 2024 St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.
“Tom was a great high school athlete, an outstanding football player and a leader,” said Bob Bunton, executive director of the St. Louis National Football Foundation. “He was everything you’d want as a leader, an American patriot and truly a St. Louis hero.”
Lombardo, 27 perished during the Korean War in 1950, but his legacy lives on larger than ever. The St. Louis Tom Lombardo Chapter, named for him in 1997 seven years after it debuted, continues to thrive locally. And it’s well recognized nationally.
“Dad’s career was short-lived, but people loved my father,” said son Tom Lombardo Jr. of St. Louis. “He set a standard for our family and because he grew up in St. Louis, going into the Hall of Fame means all the world to his family and I’m sure it would have meant all the world to him.”
The Senior Lombardo enjoyed a standout career at Soldan High, where he led the Public High League in scoring, and led the Tigers to a State Championship. After graduating in 1940, Lombardo went to Saint Louis University for one year, then transferred to West Point and served as quarterback and captain for the renowned 1944 Army team. All-America running backs Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard led the way for coach Earl Blaik’s undefeated 9-0 team.
Later on, Lieutenant Lombardo emerged a Korean War hero for his courage, leadership and commitment. “He was well known because of the Korean War, athletics, and being a good scholar,” son Tom said.
Brothers Gus, Carmen and Angelo started restaurant businesses in St. Louis, but Tom Sr. was destined to be forever linked to the city’s National Football Foundation, thanks to Bunton.
“I saw some plaques of Tom Sr. on the walls of their restaurants and I got to know the Lombardo family,” Bunton said. “I talked to them about naming the chapter after Tom and we did that more than 25 years ago.”
Don Hugo, Larry Kindbom, Bill Koman, Jim Otis, Dennis Straub, Ed Velten, John Weiler, Eric Mundwiller and Bunton helped form the St. Louis chapter of the NFF and the organization has made an lasting mark on local youths.
“We recognize kids, those top flight individuals involved in athletics, academics, service work and leadership,” Bunton said. That recognition has resulted in college scholarships, exceeding more than $750,000 since the chapter began. The St. Louis organization honors a dozen individuals annually.
There are 125 NFF chapters – some that started as early in 1947 – nationwide and the St. Louis group “is considered one of the better ones in the country,” Bunton said. The group meets monthly and has an ample amount of core contributors and donors.
“Everybody gets along, we all have the same passion and there are no big egos,” Bunton said. “Our chapter serves as a positive influence for our youth and community.”
Bunton said the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams, both formerly in St. Louis, continue to be major players in the St. Louis NFF. “Michael Bidwell (Cardinals’ owner) has been like an angel to us,” he added.
The NFF is a non-profit educational organization that offers programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement for young people.
Ken Leach is the president of the St. Louis chapter. John Brauch, Dan Dierdorf, Ed Eberhart, Randy Karraker, Nancy Nyikes, Jim Otis, Gus Otto, Mike Owens, Howard Richards, Johnny Roland, Steve Savard, Bill Suntrup and Tom Lombardo Jr. are members of the Board of Governors.