Family of Thomas W. Merkle

Tom Merkle was a standout athlete at T.L. Handy High School and Saginaw Valley State University (then College). He excelled in football as his high school team’s two-year starting quarterback and was the third baseman and number two pitcher for the baseball team. During his time at SVSC, he was a member of the football team, including the 1979 GLIAC champion team. At the time, the college did not have a baseball team, so Tom and a group of his peers approached Muddy Waters, who was SVSC’s athletic director, to establish one. Baseball was a club sport for one year, until the Cardinals became a varsity team. Tom continued to excel in baseball and was selected in the 17" round by the Detroit Tigers during the 1980 draft and played part of three seasons in their minor league system.
Tom graduated from SVSC in 1983 with his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. Tom’s wife of 42 years, Kelly, is also an alumna of SVSU, having carned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education.
Kelly and Tom both pursued careers as educators in the Bay City Public Schools. Tom became T.L. Handy High School’s varsity baseball coach and then moved to Bay City Central, serving from 1991-1995, where he compiled a 197-77 record. During this time, he also coached high school football and golf, Tom later established Peak Performance Baseball, where he helped shape young athletes not just into better players, but better people. He was inducted into the Bay City Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
Tom was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who always put his family first. Tom also shared his creative side with family and friends through his talents as a brewmaster and wood carver. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time at Pratt Lake.
To honor his commitment to helping the next generation succeed, and his generosity with his time and mentorship to anyone who needed a helping hand, Tom’s family established a scholarship to continue his legacy.