Lifetime Achievement Award

Thomas M. Braatz, Arts '58
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

You can’t think Marquette football and not think of Tom. One of the program’s last players, he went on to a pro football career that spanned almost 50 years as a player and executive and was named to the NFL Scouts Hall of Fame.

He was an accomplished end at Marquette, serving as co-captain of the team and playing in all-star games, until the university phased out football in 1960. He also served two years in the Korean conflict from 1955 to 1957 as a crypto operator.

After being selected in the NFL draft, Tom’s first contract was for $5,500. He went on to play pro football for five seasons for Washington, then Dallas. Then he moved to work off the field, joining the expansion team in Atlanta in 1965 as a college scout. He worked his way up to director of player personnel and general manager, roles he served in from 1968 to 1987.

In 1987, Tom became vice president of football operations in Green Bay, working with the team until 1992. From 1992 to 2003, he was director of college scouting in Miami.

During his legendary career, Tom worked with coaches Tom Landry, Don Shula, Jimmy Johnson, Forrest Gregg and more.

Tom and the late Marvin Swentkofske, who received the 2006 Hy Popuch Award, organized the football team’s reunions starting in 1960. Tom has never missed a reunion.