Football Standout Callahan Will Be a Lion of a Different Color

Stud lineman Tom Callahan (6'6", 280 lbs) has been a Lyons Township Lion for four years. After making his college decision earlier in 2011, the offensive lineman is now on pace to spend four years with Columbia University, whose mascot also happens to be a Lion.

“I am excited for the whole atmosphere of Columbia, not just the football,” Callahan said. “To have the opportunity to go to college in one of the greatest cities in the world and to go to school at such a fine place is more than I ever could have hoped for.”

Callahan’s decision to pursue collegiate athletics wasn’t made overnight. In fact, the St. Cletus alum didn’t come to such a conclusion until he was transitioning to LT’s north campus.

“I decided at the end of my sophomore year that I wanted to play in college,” Callahan said. “It made me want to practice harder and really focus on becoming better by concentrating on every repetition on the field.”

With Callahan leading the blocking charge, Lyons Township experienced great success under second-year head coach Kurt Weinberg. The Lions lost only a single game before jointly claiming the West Suburban Silver Conference title and reaching an IHSA quarterfinal.

“Last season was great and I think it definitely raises the bar for the type of football program LT has,” Callahan said. “This year the team needs to replace the whole offensive line and much of the defensive line, but they bring back a lot of experienced skill-position players. If those players can step up and be leaders, I think the team will be successful in the playoffs again this year.”

Beyond his accomplishments with Lyons Township, Callahan expressed his eagerness to continue competing in something he sustains an immense passion for.

“I am excited to play because I simply just love to play football,” Callahan said. “I've been playing for the past eight years and it would seem weird to not be playing anymore. The program strengths are the coaching experience and their facilities are some of the best I've seen.”

Despite his excitement, though, the Columbia-bound behemoth acknowledged his need to improve the tools of his trade, starting this offseason.

“I think the biggest challenge would have to be working with my footwork and making sure that I am getting bigger but still being able to move just as fast on my feet,” Callahan said. “Freshman year I weighed 100 pounds less than I do now, so the only way I got better feet was by working with ladders, jump ropes and pass protection drills during practice.”

An honors student in high school, Callahan additionally recognized the merit of receiving a top quality education along with a varsity athletic experience.

“I think it is a huge bonus to be able to play at an Ivy League school,” Callahan said. “My decision basically came down to going to a state school for free and getting a good education or going to Columbia and paying some money, but getting a whole different world of experience, not only in the classroom but in life after college.”