Tom Orton

Orton was active athletically, excelling in basketball, football and track, in Madison. He was also a student council and M-Club member, homecoming king and honor roll student. He was a two-year member of the S.D. basketball team in 1964 and 1965. After Orton was honored as an All-State basketball team selection, Cal Mathison, Orton's coach, wrote in Orton's '65 annual: "We are certain there is no one more deserving of the honor (to make the All State Class A basketball team). It is difficult to gain the proper recognition when not playing in the state tournament or at least on a conference-contending team. Tom is a small man by today’s basketball standards and had to develop and master a variety of skills to attain this level of success. Tom is the most unselfish ballplayer that I have had the privilege to coach." During his junior and senior years, Orton led the Eastern South Dakota Conference in scoring. He was a two-year most valuable player for the Bulldogs' basketball team. On the gridiron, he was a wide receiver and defensive back, and he participated in track as a freshman and sophomore.