Tom Day '80, who works at Hormel Foods, reflects on his football career at UW-Eau Claire.

Former player honors coach with his gift

Alumnus Tom Day, who was an offensive tackle for the Blugolds from 1976-80, credits former UW-Eau Claire coach Lincoln "Link" Walker as one of the primary reasons that he and his wife Sheri made a $50,000 gift to the John Kell Football Endowment through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation. Day gave the gift to honor Walker, who died in May .

"The primary reason I got involved with the First-and-10 Initiative to raise money for Blugold football was my admiration and respect for Coach Walker," said Day, who graduated in 1980 with a degree in marketing. "My wife and I wanted to give back to the university. The First-and-10 Initiative was a tremendous way to do that and also show Coach Walker the positive impact he had on my life."
Day, who is a senior vice president of foodservice for Hormel Foods, said he is fortunate to work for a company that supports social responsibility and matches charitable gifts from employees. As a result of the Hormel corporate match, Day's gift actually totals $100,000.

"It's your classic win-win scenario," Day said. "I appreciate Hormel's commitment to supporting employee charitable gifts."

Now is a good time to invest in the John Kell Football Endowment, Day said.
"The team continues to be competitive within the conference," Day said. "The team plays with confidence but also with humility as opposed to arrogance. Coach Glaser and his staff exemplify the qualities you want in a coaching staff, and they provide leadership for their players on and off the field. I encourage other Blugolds to get involved in the First-and-10 Initiative."

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