Tom Utman
Tom Utman ('68) joins a stellar cast of players from the 1967 & 1968 Oaks in the Menlo College Athletics Hall of Fame. As a slick fielding shortstop with a rocket arm, Utman was the captain of the 1968 squad where he hit .340 and was named 2nd team All-Coast Conference for his efforts. He played every inning of every game in his two seasons as an Oak
"I couldn't believe I received a call from Keith [Spataro] telling me I was voted into the Menlo Athletics Hall of Fame," said Utman. "The honor of being recognized for a sport I played over 50 years ago is amazing; I certainly did not expect this recognition."
Prior to Menlo, Utman attended nearby Burlingame High School where he was the captain of his baseball team. He cited having a bit too much fun, being a great athlete, the President of the Senior Class and "looking cool in my 1966 TR-4 Triumph" as the precursors to his time at Menlo. Menlo proved to be just what he needed.
"Menlo was the perfect fit for me. It guided me and taught me how to be more responsible, better interact with my friends and instructors while having to make decisions on my own. Menlo came into my life at the perfect time," he said.
Utman was a member of the '67 and '68 teams which included Hall of Fame members Bill Ochs (Class of 2017), Mike Bettega (Class of 2014) and Bill LeBlanc (Class of 2014). Following his time as an Oak, Utman was drafted in the 34th round of the 1968 Major League Baseball draft by the California Angels. At the same time, he was being heavily recruited by legendary USC Head Coach Rod Dedeaux. Utman elected to take his talents to Southern California where he was to be the shortstop for the Trojans. He played his junior season for Coach Dedeaux but, in the fall of his senior year, he tore ligaments in his knee, effectively ending his baseball career. His teammates at USC were a who's-who of professional players including the likes of: Jim Barr, Steve Busby, Dave Kingman and Bill Lee.
Utman and his wife, Susan, met at USC and have been married for 48 years. They have two children, Jennifer and Mark, and two grandchildren, Talia and Elle.
Tom was quick to thank his parents for their help in discovering Menlo and four classmates who were a part of this honor: Howard Erenberg, Larry Baugh, Mike Bettega and Bill Le Blanc.
"Without these four teammates, I would not have been considered," said Utman. "These four encouraged me to come back to an alumni baseball game, to attend a fundraiser for the team, and they researched and submitted my information to the Menlo Athletics Hall of Fame Committee. Thank you to all of them!"
